Plug-In Solar Panels Are Starting to Sprout in U.S. Backyards |Ten U.S. states have legalized systems that can be plugged into standard wall outlets. The technology typically does not require permits
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/business/energy-environment/plug-in-balcony-solar.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.AIOU.qkr3U9CX7Q_d
62 points · 12 comments · view on lemmy.world
12 Comments
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 20 pts · 38d
As soon as this becomes popular the grid monopolies will get it banned.
thinkercharmercoderfarmer@slrpnk.net · 6 pts · 38d
Oh, they're already trying. It's up to us to make sure they fail.
HerbGrower@slrpnk.net · 5 pts · 37d
Go harder, disconnect from the grid.
Jackery/similar power station as your main power supply for the house, charged by solar and a backup generator. Or you could keep the grid connection just to keep as a backup. Either way that largely isolates your house from the grid in a way that plug in solar doesn't.
hanrahan@slrpnk.net · 4 pts · 36d
in Australia if you can be connected to the grid and you do not, they charge you network maintenance fees anyway, yiu just dont pay for power.
That said I lived completely off grid in the bush for a decade.
I'm now on grid and i feed power into the grid from my roof top solar, last months bill was in credit for $45 (albeit I wasn't} home for the month) and I charge my ebike and ecar as well off solar when i am home. I have 8.6kW of grid feed solar on the roof (notional)
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 36d
I can see old EV batteries getting a second life doing this. The state will then charge you a fee for not using electricity they generate.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 36d
Nevada NV Energy just put in a surcharge for those with roof top solar.
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de · 0 pts · 37d
It's been banned for ages in the US. This has been it getting unbanned.
They also don't help all that much. Little drop in the bucket compared to a normal solar setup. The early companies that have been trying to sell them here in the US are taking advantage of the naive and charging too much in relation to any benefit.
TIEPilot@lemmy.world · -1 pts · 36d
They will ban on safety, you can back feed the grid and kill lineman with these systems. You need an ATS or otherwise its a real issue.
scytale@piefed.zip · 5 pts · 37d
I have a huge backyard that faces west. I would happily fill half of it with plug-in panels if I could.
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 36d
That's the wrong approach. If you're installing more than a couple hundred watts worth of panels you should either do an independent system or do a proper grid-tied solution.
TwiddleTwaddle@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 37d
Lol that's very definitely not allowed and dangerous.
foxymochakitten@slrpnk.net · 1 pts · 36d
I want one SO BAD my balcony gets tons and tons of sunlight!!