Plug in Solar Panels

[L&R.]

Just reading that in the UK (not here in Ireland yet) you are able to buy plug in panels for apartments, etc.
I am wondering how these would work in reality in a Cali: i.e. just change the plug to connect into the EHU outlet, no messing with any internal wiring.
Has anyone else looked at this?

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Balcony solar power units (I have one here on Germany) are designed to plug into mains electric in your home. They are designed for plugging into a car, I can't see it working.

 

[WelshGas]

Just reading that in the UK (not here in Ireland yet) you are able to buy plug in panels for apartments, etc.
I am wondering how these would work in reality in a Cali: i.e. just change the plug to connect into the EHU outlet, no messing with any internal wiring.
Has anyone else looked at this?

I suppose it could. Such panels come with a 800 w mini- inverter that will give a maximum output of 800 w at 230 volts and hence 3.4 amps.

No matter how many panels connected the maximum output remains the same.

They suggest about 2000 watts of panels , about 8 - 10 panels to give that output in all seasons.

It would work but probably not worth the effort.

Plug-in Solar in the UK: A Beginner's Guide to How It Works and How to Buy Safely

If you've come across the idea of a solar panel you can simply plug into a wall socket, you might be wondering whether it's really that simple — and whether it's even allowed in the UK. The short answer is that plug-in solar is genuinely straightforward to live with, but there's a bit more to it...

zendure.co.uk

 

[lohr500]

The plug in solar kits that have now been approved for use in the UK will not work "off-grid" as they are designed to cut output as soon as a loss of mains voltage is detected on the socket into which they are plugged.

This is to prevent any risk of electrocution to anyone working on faults upstream of your property in the event of a power cut.

So no good for connecting to the Cal's EHU socket.

Edit :

Technically I guess you could use a 16 Amp blue Y type connector or extension lead from the mains outlet in the Cali to connect a plug in solar system whilst on a hook up.

But I'm not sure the site owner would be impressed and the electricity generated would probably be less than the cost of paying for an electric hook up in the 1st place!!

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Balcony solar power units (I have one here on Germany) are designed to plug into mains electric in your home. They are designed for plugging into a car, I can't see it working.

Whoops, missed the not. Of course I meant they are not designed for plugging into a car.

 

[L&R.]

Thanks for the considered replies. Just one of those fleeting questions following an article on Which? that lit an idea!

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Thanks for the considered replies. Just one of those fleeting questions following an article on Which? that lit an idea!

Buy them for the house, then plug the California into the house to keep it all topped up. Sorted.