Electronics > Power/Renewable Energy/EV's
Wall-plug Solar?
Kontakr:
Has anyone used wall-plug solar units in an apartment? I understand (or at least I believe I do) the risks of backfeeding a circuit and the hazard of exceeding safe loads on the wiring, but it looks to be about the only viable way to add solar to a building I can't change.
NiHaoMike:
You can use feedthroughs (copper foil sandwiched between insulation plastic) to run the wires inside without drilling any holes. Simply insert halfway in a door/window (preferably one that is not frequently used) and carefully close it so the feedthrough fits into the gap.
Seekonk:
Are you talking about those cheap grid tie units that plugs into a wall outlet?
David Hess:
In theory it can be safe to do. Grid tie inverters are suppose to shut down if AC power is lost and should be protected against various faults like excessive current but the quality and reliability of cheap plug-in grid tie inverters is questionable.
fourtytwo42:
I assume we are talking the cheap chinese things on Ebay typically 300, 600 or 1000W intended for just a few panels.
My biggest concern with these indoors would be fire, I have seen pictures of these units failing badly. Next biggest concern is electrical hazard, that is no or defective anti-islanding protection (meaning the output continues to provide grid voltage into an otherwise dead grid). There have been various reports of them being unreliable but also some people very pleased with them so it seems to be a bit pot luck! Try exhaustivly to find reveiws for the one you are considering before you buy, that doesnt always work as often designs change frequently. Consider finding somewhere fire resistant or never leave it operating or plugged in unattended. One other issue is approval by your electrical company, it may be worth checking what requirements they have for the use of GTI's and also the compatability or otherwise of your electricity meter.
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