RE: https://freiburg.social/@balkonsolar/116300507885800917

Will #pluginpv pay fort itself in #Britain, even though it’s more cloudy than Germany? Short answer: YES!

We calculated cost recovery scenarios for #London and #Inverness: We took the average local electricity prices, assumed the system would cost around €500 or £430, which is a third more expensive than a comparable system in Germany. And for London we assumed south facing for Inverness west facing and hanging at 90° or horizontally.

In both scenarios we get cost recovery well within the lifespan of such a system. In London within five years and in Inverness in around 10 years.

Read the details on our website.

https://youtube.com/shorts/V5tnACSHSd8?si=-ITTPcRYnMH5XSeT

#pluginsolar

People in the #UnitedKingdom are all hyped up because the Government promised to legalise #pluginsolar (was it ever illegal?) - so before you rush to #LIDL & #Amazon - of all places - to buy #pluginpv please follow this guide from ze German NGO that helped to bring 4 Mio systems to Germany.

About 1,1 Mio systems are registered but for the consumer there is little benefit in registering, so market studies and our own research suggest take it x4 = ca 4 Mio systems. About ½ have a battery.

Usually these system consist of:

1 -4 solar panels
a microinverter
AC cable
DC cable
and mounting.

While the sun shines on the #solar panels and the micro inverter senses a grid (!) they push electricity via a standard plug and socket into your house and your devices use them.

This is safe if you stay below certain thresholds. In Germany VDE thinks not more than 800 W over a standard #Schuko Socket and not more than 960 WattPeak systems.

This is fairly conservative and designed with the oldest wires in mind, e.g. the 15% immediate post war 2-wire systems and not more modern 3-wire house installations.

We believe up to 2 kWp is usually safe.

More than 24 US states are considering bills that would make it easier for households to adopt #pluginsolar. #Illinois could be next to pass https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/balcony-solar-bill-gains-momentum-illinois

And in #California the bill for #pluginpv has passed unanimously out of the California Senate's Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee: https://www.pv-tech.org/california-moves-ahead-with-balcony-solar-bill/

We can have hope for #pluginpv progress in the #UK: Energy Secretary Ed #Miliband will/has/is:

“Announcing that “plug-in solar”, low cost solar panels that families can buy at supermarkets and put on their balconies or outdoor space, will be made available in the UK (…) The Government will work at pace with the relevant bodies, consumer groups and industry to introduce new standards and amend regulations to get these onto the market as soon as possible.”

If you ask, we are ready to support the work for such standards!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-go-further-and-faster-in-becoming-energy-secure

Because it's difficult to track, where #pluginpv is legal in the #US 🇺🇸 and where we still need some legislative work, there is now a webpage dedicated to inform consumers.

https://pluginsolarguide.com

#energycosts #balconysolar #solar

What American utilities say happens when you install #pluginpv vs. what actually happens 🔙 the meter runs backwards!

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/12/nx-s1-5737287/solar-panels-utilities-energy-saving

For our website https://balkon.solar im collecting integrations and recipes for combining #HomeAssistant and #PlugInPv or small plug in batteries.

Is there anything I should include?

Tipps for #pluginpv in english on our website: https://balkon.solar/news/2022/12/11/introduction-to-plug-in-solar-or-plug-pv/

We have one solution for high #EnergyPrices and lack of #EnergySecurity in the coming #EnergyCrisis: Solar on the balcony, roof, fence and beyond.

Lacey Shaver gives a good overview of what has to happen in the US to make the adoption of #pluginpv easy.

"In many European countries, renters are guaranteed the right to install plug-in solar systems, expanding access (...) preventing discrimination by landlords.

https://www.wri.org/insights/enabling-plug-in-solar-states