Switch to plug-in solar? My advice after testing the DIY energy tech at home

"Household power is AC, whereas solar panels output DC (direct current), so the two aren't compatible. If you tried to plug panels directly into a wall socket, a lot of things would go bang. Plug-in solar is a new technology that allows solar panels to be connected to a home's electrical system. The technology uses microinverters to feed power into a household system."

"Up until now, you've had two options. You could have a standard rooftop solar system, have that professionally connected to your home's electrical system, or you could connect your panels to a portable power station, and use that to power devices in your home. The downside to the first option is cost, since installing solar panels on your roof and connecting them to your electrical system is a professional job. The downside to the second option is the limitation of having all the power flow through a power station."

"But what if you could connect your solar panels directly to your home's AC system, and do that yourself? This is what plug-in solar -- also known as balcony solar or portable solar -- promises. Plug-in solar isn't an AC plug attached to your solar panels. Household power is AC, whereas solar panels output DC (direct current), so the two aren't compatible."

"So far, in the US, only Utah has passed legislation to allow such systems. These systems cost about $2,400 and will take years to pay off. Plug-in solar uses microinverters to feed power into a household system."

Plug-in solar, also called balcony or portable solar, connects solar panels to a home’s electrical system. Household electricity is AC, while solar panels produce DC, so panels cannot be plugged directly into a wall socket. Plug-in solar uses microinverters to convert DC output for safe integration with the home’s AC system. Instead of routing all power through a portable power station, the system feeds power into the household electrical setup. In the US, only Utah has passed legislation allowing these systems. The systems cost about $2,400 and may take years to pay off, depending on circumstances.

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