#pluginpv — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #pluginpv, aggregated by home.social.
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#Americans listen:
- #pluginsolar inverters have caused 0 lineworker injuries
- 35 US states + D.C. have introduced #pluginpv bills
- reduces ~30% of a household’s annual electric bill
- barrier is regulations legislation is needed to stop utilities, HOAs, landlords from stopping 🫵 you!
https://cleanenergy.org/news/plug-in-solar-is-safe-affordable-and-ready-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
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#Americans listen:
- #pluginsolar inverters have caused 0 lineworker injuries
- 35 US states + D.C. have introduced #pluginpv bills
- reduces ~30% of a household’s annual electric bill
- barrier is regulations legislation is needed to stop utilities, HOAs, landlords from stopping 🫵 you!
https://cleanenergy.org/news/plug-in-solar-is-safe-affordable-and-ready-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
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His Majesty’s Britannic Government has published its “Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification” Version 1.
We see this as good step forward to finally legalise #pluginsolar in #Britain buuuuuuuuuuut we have the impression that some of the lest necessary and most unsubstantiated regulations from ze Tscherman DIN VDE V 0126-95 have been copied.
A prohibition of Y-connectors has no base in safety literature and hinders the reuse of used solar panels.
The provision requiring matching connector pairs from the same product family has no evidence in safety studies and literature.
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His Majesty’s Britannic Government has published its “Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification” Version 1.
We see this as good step forward to finally legalise #pluginsolar in #Britain buuuuuuuuuuut we have the impression that some of the lest necessary and most unsubstantiated regulations from ze Tscherman DIN VDE V 0126-95 have been copied.
A prohibition of Y-connectors has no base in safety literature and hinders the reuse of used solar panels.
The provision requiring matching connector pairs from the same product family has no evidence in safety studies and literature.
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Added WashData to my #HomeAssistant setup. Let's see what we can accomplish with it!
Right now it's analyzing my washing machine cycles. My goal is to better understand how much energy each program uses and, based on that data, make better use of my #PluginPV #Balkonkraftwerk. -
Added WashData to my #HomeAssistant setup. Let's see what we can accomplish with it!
Right now it's analyzing my washing machine cycles. My goal is to better understand how much energy each program uses and, based on that data, make better use of my #PluginPV #Balkonkraftwerk. -
Small litte website for my https://solar.schaack.io #pluginpv #vibecoding #balkonsolar
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Small litte website for my https://solar.schaack.io #pluginpv #vibecoding #balkonsolar
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So we are building a testing device: https://balkon.solar/news/2026/06/12/wechselrichter-test-geraet/
Writing a prototype instruction manual and get Y-Cable from a manufacturer directly in China with the proper BC03A connectors.
And the @ec.europa.eu has included a recomendation that member state legalize #pluginpv! We like that!!
https://balkon.solar/news/2026/05/12/directive-eu-2018-2001/
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So we are building a testing device: https://balkon.solar/news/2026/06/12/wechselrichter-test-geraet/
Writing a prototype instruction manual and get Y-Cable from a manufacturer directly in China with the proper BC03A connectors.
And the @ec.europa.eu has included a recomendation that member state legalize #pluginpv! We like that!!
https://balkon.solar/news/2026/05/12/directive-eu-2018-2001/
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RE: https://freiburg.social/@balkonsolar/116775572664878218
American lawmakers in all the states currently considering legalising #pluginpv should read this study!
#pluginsolar is safe and can help consumers to safe money, bridge power outages and help to transform the the grid towards green power.
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RE: https://freiburg.social/@balkonsolar/116775572664878218
American lawmakers in all the states currently considering legalising #pluginpv should read this study!
#pluginsolar is safe and can help consumers to safe money, bridge power outages and help to transform the the grid towards green power.
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The #WallStreetJournal is discovering #PluginPV! And Christopher Mims thinks he is one of the first Marylander to test #pluginbattery system:
“In states with the highest energy costs, such as #California (30 cents a kilowatt-hour or higher) and #Hawaii (upward of 40 US cents), plug-in solar systems can pay for themselves in three years or less, says Krarti. (…) #Pluginsolar can also help in the event of an outage”
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The #WallStreetJournal is discovering #PluginPV! And Christopher Mims thinks he is one of the first Marylander to test #pluginbattery system:
“In states with the highest energy costs, such as #California (30 cents a kilowatt-hour or higher) and #Hawaii (upward of 40 US cents), plug-in solar systems can pay for themselves in three years or less, says Krarti. (…) #Pluginsolar can also help in the event of an outage”
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The Editorial Board of the @washingtonpost writes about #pluginpv: „it’s silly to stop people from trying to pull less electricity from the grid as America’s energy needs continue to grow“
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The Editorial Board of the @washingtonpost writes about #pluginpv: „it’s silly to stop people from trying to pull less electricity from the grid as America’s energy needs continue to grow“
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In #Rottweil in the #Blackforrest we were invited to build some Secondlife #pluginpv systems with a group of youngsters from Japan, France, Belarus and Germany who are there for a youth exchange.
Local residents will put them on their balconies.
DIY instructions: https://balkon.solar/news/2025/05/28/solar-secondlife-magazine-draft/
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In #Rottweil in the #Blackforrest we were invited to build some Secondlife #pluginpv systems with a group of youngsters from Japan, France, Belarus and Germany who are there for a youth exchange.
Local residents will put them on their balconies.
DIY instructions: https://balkon.solar/news/2025/05/28/solar-secondlife-magazine-draft/
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US non-profit @bright_saver has a tracker on #pluginpv bills in US states.
You can see where legislation is underway and not.
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US non-profit @bright_saver has a tracker on #pluginpv bills in US states.
You can see where legislation is underway and not.
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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.
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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.
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These #pluginpv systems repay themselves from less grid drawn electricity within 3 - 5 years in Germany.
You can add batteries and a sensor measuring how much your house needs - so you save what you produced during the day and use that at night. this makes the system more expensive. Usually something around 1000 EUR instead of 300 - 400.
Cost recovery is from 4 to 7 years.
But afterwards you save more money because you use more of your own electricity.
Again these systems are safe.
Mounting is available for different locations:
- flat roofs
- balcony including those with 35 cm thick walls/concrete
- as a table
- facade
- fencein fact most #pluginsolar systems are not on the balcony but very often on flat roofs eg. garages or lawns.
to make it available we needed to only changes in the energy law but also adjust rental contract law & the condominium regulations:
But you may need more changes: permit less mounting, inclusion into liability insurance, loosening of monument protection.
For Consumers:
- choose brand name inverters such as Hoymiles
- use proper mounting
- enjoy -
These #pluginpv systems repay themselves from less grid drawn electricity within 3 - 5 years in Germany.
You can add batteries and a sensor measuring how much your house needs - so you save what you produced during the day and use that at night. this makes the system more expensive. Usually something around 1000 EUR instead of 300 - 400.
Cost recovery is from 4 to 7 years.
But afterwards you save more money because you use more of your own electricity.
Again these systems are safe.
Mounting is available for different locations:
- flat roofs
- balcony including those with 35 cm thick walls/concrete
- as a table
- facade
- fencein fact most #pluginsolar systems are not on the balcony but very often on flat roofs eg. garages or lawns.
to make it available we needed to only changes in the energy law but also adjust rental contract law & the condominium regulations:
But you may need more changes: permit less mounting, inclusion into liability insurance, loosening of monument protection.
For Consumers:
- choose brand name inverters such as Hoymiles
- use proper mounting
- enjoy -
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.
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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.
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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/
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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/
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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WyoFile reports the #pluginpv draft legislation in #Wyoming (House Bill 14) that would have cleared issues around #balconysolar died on the committee stage.
Apparently (unfounded) safety concerns such as overheating wires or #linemen getting zapped (a special American fear) stopped the legislation.
But the Republican committee chair thinks “there’s nothing prohibiting the use of them” (right now).
https://wyofile.com/lawmakers-pull-the-cord-on-plug-in-solar-bill/
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WyoFile reports the #pluginpv draft legislation in #Wyoming (House Bill 14) that would have cleared issues around #balconysolar died on the committee stage.
Apparently (unfounded) safety concerns such as overheating wires or #linemen getting zapped (a special American fear) stopped the legislation.
But the Republican committee chair thinks “there’s nothing prohibiting the use of them” (right now).
https://wyofile.com/lawmakers-pull-the-cord-on-plug-in-solar-bill/
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The NYT reports that lawmakers in 24 US states are considering legislation that would legalize #pluginpv!
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The NYT reports that lawmakers in 24 US states are considering legislation that would legalize #pluginpv!
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Slowly #Australia seems to be advancing toward legalising #pluginpv!
Same Discussion as in the #US and #UK: “His lab confirmed the maximum power injected into the circuit is less than 800 watts, or two panels, the maximum that German law allows and which could be a useful guide for Australia.”
Again many of the fears mentioned in the article: fire, no regulation, no standard, have been overcome or proven to be no problem in Germany - the country that is usually stereotyped to be rule abiding and full of “Verboten”!
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Slowly #Australia seems to be advancing toward legalising #pluginpv!
Same Discussion as in the #US and #UK: “His lab confirmed the maximum power injected into the circuit is less than 800 watts, or two panels, the maximum that German law allows and which could be a useful guide for Australia.”
Again many of the fears mentioned in the article: fire, no regulation, no standard, have been overcome or proven to be no problem in Germany - the country that is usually stereotyped to be rule abiding and full of “Verboten”!
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The #UK is working on leglizing #pluginpv, but as Gordon Routledge points out:
“There is no safety problem: “Loss of mains equals shutdown. the moment the inverter detects the supply has gone, it’s designed to stop exporting rapidly (anti-islanding).”
He is right: “whether the UK approves plug-in solar or not, the hardware is already landing in people’s baskets.(…) the UK isn’t deciding whether the products exist, it’s deciding whether we end up with a regulated route, or a grey-market bodge-fest.”
We are all excited to get the results from the study performed by Arceio LTD which should be on the table by the end of this month!
https://www.efixx.co.uk/Articles/plug-in-solar-uk-regulations
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The #UK is working on leglizing #pluginpv, but as Gordon Routledge points out:
“There is no safety problem: “Loss of mains equals shutdown. the moment the inverter detects the supply has gone, it’s designed to stop exporting rapidly (anti-islanding).”
He is right: “whether the UK approves plug-in solar or not, the hardware is already landing in people’s baskets.(…) the UK isn’t deciding whether the products exist, it’s deciding whether we end up with a regulated route, or a grey-market bodge-fest.”
We are all excited to get the results from the study performed by Arceio LTD which should be on the table by the end of this month!
https://www.efixx.co.uk/Articles/plug-in-solar-uk-regulations
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American nonprofit @brightsaver.bsky.social reports that the #Vermont Senate and the #Virginia Virginia House of Delegates have voted for #pluginpv bills. The other chambers have to agree as well.
Virginia HB395: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB395
We cannot access the Vermont website.
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American nonprofit @brightsaver.bsky.social reports that the #Vermont Senate and the #Virginia Virginia House of Delegates have voted for #pluginpv bills. The other chambers have to agree as well.
Virginia HB395: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB395
We cannot access the Vermont website.
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To help everyone cope we are sending this image of a #squirrel sitting on an inverter at a #pluginpv #solarpanel
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To help everyone cope we are sending this image of a #squirrel sitting on an inverter at a #pluginpv #solarpanel
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US standards organization Underwriter Laboratories mentions #pluginpv in its newsletter:
„Even if you live in an apartment, powering your home with #solar energy that you generate from your own balcony could be possible. Here at UL Solutions, we’re making strides to ensure plug-in solar systems (#balconysolar) can be, most importantly, safely adopted. We’ve established a dedicated plug-in solar system testing and certification program.
https://s.ul.com/4pEGxUo“ -
US standards organization Underwriter Laboratories mentions #pluginpv in its newsletter:
„Even if you live in an apartment, powering your home with #solar energy that you generate from your own balcony could be possible. Here at UL Solutions, we’re making strides to ensure plug-in solar systems (#balconysolar) can be, most importantly, safely adopted. We’ve established a dedicated plug-in solar system testing and certification program.
https://s.ul.com/4pEGxUo“ -
@TechConnectify by the way: even if you don’t have the money or space for roof top solar, you can still do #pluginpv!
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@TechConnectify by the way: even if you don’t have the money or space for roof top solar, you can still do #pluginpv!