In countries like Germany, balcony-mounted solar panels are all the rage. But from breaker-masking to voltage mismatches, America’s grid isn’t ready for it—yet.
Or the fact that most people with balconies live in rented apartments and apartment managers aren’t going to pay to subsidize an electric bill that tenants are entirely responsible for paying.
Not so good - issue is that your “code” for electrical installations doesn’t include balcony solar and that your institutions are not able to include it because of reasons that do not make sense to anyone outside the USA
No, it’s electrical code. Standard outlets can’t be used to supply power because it means you have a plug that has exposed wires commonly called suicide wires. While these balconey top solar likely use grid following so it has to detect a grid voltage, the electrical code doesn’t consider it AFAIK. This rule is for safety and because it would only power half your house because there’s only one leg per 110 outlet.
without reading the article I will guess… HOA regulations. How’d I do?
Or the fact that most people with balconies live in rented apartments and apartment managers aren’t going to pay to subsidize an electric bill that tenants are entirely responsible for paying.
Yep. My apartment has restrictions in the lease that would prevent me from clamping solar panels as pictured.
Not so good - issue is that your “code” for electrical installations doesn’t include balcony solar and that your institutions are not able to include it because of reasons that do not make sense to anyone outside the USA
Let me guess? Electric monopoly?
No, it’s electrical code. Standard outlets can’t be used to supply power because it means you have a plug that has exposed wires commonly called suicide wires. While these balconey top solar likely use grid following so it has to detect a grid voltage, the electrical code doesn’t consider it AFAIK. This rule is for safety and because it would only power half your house because there’s only one leg per 110 outlet.