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Power surge: law changes could soon bring balcony solar to millions across US (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

22 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Tweaks to state laws mean many Americans will be able to benefit from small, simple plug-in solar panels

Acquiring solar panels at home can be an expensive hassle for people in the US. But small, simple, plug-in solar panels for use on balconies are soon to become available for millions of Americans, with advocates hoping the technology will quickly go mainstream.

Earlier this year, Utah became the first state in the country to pass legislation allowing people to purchase and install small, portable solar panels that plug into a standard wall socket.

When attached outside to the balcony or patio of a dwelling, such panels can provide enough power for residents to run free of charge, home appliances such as fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and wi-fi without spending money on electricity from the grid.

Balcony solar panels are now widespread in countries such as Germany – where more than 1m homes have them – but have until now been stymied in the US by state regulations. This is set to change, with lawmakers in New York and Pennsylvania filing bills to join Utah in adopting permission for the panels, with Vermont, Maryland and New Hampshire set to follow suit soon.

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[–] turmacar@lemmy.world 34 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Back-feeding the grid during an outage is the main concern. One panel isn't going to hurt a line worker. A neighborhood of them might.

"Normal" installations have a transfer switch of some kind between the house and the grid to prevent this. Which means a permit and electrician.

Don't know what's different about these panels / installations that makes them safe without that.

[–] femtek@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would think I built in switch that it won't power the line if not getting power as well.

[–] jj4211@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Which is how fixed solar installs work.

[–] femtek@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 months ago

Depends if you have it set to go the batteries first but that's how it was on mine when first installed.