How does the outlet work putting electricty back into it? You sure it’s not a special outlet?
Comment on Home electricity bills are skyrocketing. For data centers, not so much.
HaraldvonBlauzahn@feddit.org 3 days ago
Here in Germany we have balcony solar panels. They are just plugged into a socket - no electrical installation needed - and pay off quickly.
Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 days ago
HaraldvonBlauzahn@feddit.org 3 days ago
No. It is just wires that transport energy. Old power meters will even run backwards.
For safety, these panel have some electronics that switch them off when it is not plugged in, or during power outages.
SpaceMan9000@lemmy.world 3 days ago
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
bstix@feddit.dk 3 days ago
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.
just_an_average_joe@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 days ago
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?
bstix@feddit.dk 3 days ago
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.
Resonosity@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
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. 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.
JackbyDev@programming.dev 3 days ago
It doesn’t have a direction.
floquant@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 days ago
Huh that’s neat, I didn’t know they just plugged into a socket. From what I know balancing the voltage and frequency of an electric grid is extremely delicate business, but I guess it’s fine since it’s so much electrically smaller than the main generators?
Also stuffing an inverter in random small electronics is probably so much easier than it used to be not that long ago.
eleitl@lemmy.zip 3 days ago
If mains goes down they stop feeding in power within 10 ms, or so. Of course, you can illegally feed in more, if you know what you’re doing.
MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 3 days ago
Sadly, Switzerland missed the oportunity and even conventional solar installations barely pay off now.
ikidd@lemmy.world 3 days ago
I have 54 solar panels that are 1x2m apiece (108m2 total), and they generate barely enough to keep my house running in the winter, and have to be supplemented by a generator in the winter for December and January since it’s entirely offgrid.
I don’t think a couple panels on a balcony are doing much more than charging a couple phones.
MaggiWuerze@feddit.org 2 days ago
Since a lot of people live in rented flats, the 800w these so called “balcony solar plants” can cover your base load, thus reducing your electric bill. Of course they can’t support whatever setup you seem to have where 108m2 of solar can’t cover it
razzazzika@lemmy.zip 3 days ago
I have something like that I bought here in the US but the power generated won’t power the whole home. It does charge my emergency battery though for when the power is out.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 3 days ago
to power the whole home you need a hell of a lot more than the balcony ones. but every little bit helps.
anon_8675309@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Right but the way I understand it is if you get the plug in style and let it generate some power during the day it will offset your usage and save you money on the bill.
HaraldvonBlauzahn@feddit.org 3 days ago
Yes, lile that. There are also types (like the Anker generators for mobile homes / boats etc) which can run stand-alone, but the German balkony solar panels just add cheap supply to the domestic power use by plugging it into the household AC system.
JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca 3 days ago
I think you guys running 220 through the whole house is why we don’t have that stateside, just a guess.