You can plug anything back into your how power system so long as the reverse current is not more than the ratings of the wires & equipment that current runs through.
In the US, most residential outlets are rated for 15-20 Amps at 120 Volts. You’d need to find a solar panel that matches these ratings. There are what’s called “AC solar panels” or just panels with micro inverters that transform the DC electricity from the panel to AC right on the panel itself. As long as the circuit you plug into is rated for it, you can plug as many panels like this into your home power system.
I’d have to check the National Electrical Code (NEC), but I believe that if you’re planning on making those solar panels permanent, and since the hypothetical ones in this conversation have “plug and cord” connections, you’d need to hardwire those panels with wiring hidden behind drywall. If you truly plan to use those panels temporarily, such as seasonally, maybe you can make the argument that you don’t need to do that.
It’s all up to your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which is usually your town’s or city’s Building or Electrical Department.
I was surprised when I read about it too, but it’s true, they quite literally just plug them right into the normal plugs.
It works because there’s a certain tolerance on the German breakers that allow for power to reverse.
The balcony panels take advantage of this.
However this also limits the possible output to whatever the tolerance is, otherwise it would overload and shut off or worse.
How does that even work? Panel would generate DC current and outlet would need AC. Then even when you have AC, you need to match the frequency, if outlet AC has a peak in its wave and panel has a trough, would this not cause problems?
Also, does germany has pure sine wave electricity? Or is it like 3 line and 1 neutral?
Edit: nvm, i guess it has a normal on-grid inverter system built in
@just_an_average_joe
You are right that this setup needs a DC-AC inverter often sold together with the PV panel and the inverter is designed for this purpose. It sort of rides on the sine wave from the outlet. Yes, this only works on one phase while the building gets 3 phases, but practically it does not matter since the meter sums all three phases.
There was some debate over the technical standard and meter type, German bureaucracy and lobbying! @bstix
How does the outlet work putting electricty back into it? You sure it’s not a special outlet?
No. It is just wires that transport energy. Old power meters will even run backwards.
For safety, these panels have some electronics that switch them off when it is not plugged in, or during power outages.
You can plug anything back into your how power system so long as the reverse current is not more than the ratings of the wires & equipment that current runs through.
In the US, most residential outlets are rated for 15-20 Amps at 120 Volts. You’d need to find a solar panel that matches these ratings. There are what’s called “AC solar panels” or just panels with micro inverters that transform the DC electricity from the panel to AC right on the panel itself. As long as the circuit you plug into is rated for it, you can plug as many panels like this into your home power system.
I’d have to check the National Electrical Code (NEC), but I believe that if you’re planning on making those solar panels permanent, and since the hypothetical ones in this conversation have “plug and cord” connections, you’d need to hardwire those panels with wiring hidden behind drywall. If you truly plan to use those panels temporarily, such as seasonally, maybe you can make the argument that you don’t need to do that.
It’s all up to your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), which is usually your town’s or city’s Building or Electrical Department.
Depends on the country iirc. But most European countries allow you to discharge 800 watt unless you install it on a separate breaker. Regular socket
I was surprised when I read about it too, but it’s true, they quite literally just plug them right into the normal plugs.
It works because there’s a certain tolerance on the German breakers that allow for power to reverse. The balcony panels take advantage of this. However this also limits the possible output to whatever the tolerance is, otherwise it would overload and shut off or worse.
How does that even work? Panel would generate DC current and outlet would need AC. Then even when you have AC, you need to match the frequency, if outlet AC has a peak in its wave and panel has a trough, would this not cause problems? Also, does germany has pure sine wave electricity? Or is it like 3 line and 1 neutral?
Edit: nvm, i guess it has a normal on-grid inverter system built in
@just_an_average_joe
You are right that this setup needs a DC-AC inverter often sold together with the PV panel and the inverter is designed for this purpose. It sort of rides on the sine wave from the outlet. Yes, this only works on one phase while the building gets 3 phases, but practically it does not matter since the meter sums all three phases.
There was some debate over the technical standard and meter type, German bureaucracy and lobbying!
@bstix
We fought to make it legal and solar from the balcony just works. You plug the device into your regular 220V AC outlet.
Wikpedia has pictures https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balcony/_solar/_power
In Germany you can buy those in home-improvement stores or online. Your local lidl or aldi might have one occassionally.
@bstix @just_an_average_joe
It’s the same grid as most of Europe. AC 3 phases 50 hz 230/400 V.
Other places can do the same, but it’s a legal issue rather than technical. It’s difficult to tax.
It doesn’t have a direction.
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