Plug-in household solar kits are gaining popularity in the US
Compact solar kits that users can connect independently to a regular household outlet are gradually becoming more widespread in the US. Such solutions are also called balcony solar systems: they have been used in Europe for several years and are now gradually appearing in the US, The Verge reports.
How the kits work
A typical kit includes several solar panels and a small microinverter connected to the power grid. The microinverter converts solar energy into electricity that is used as a priority by devices in the home. The panels can be mounted on a balcony railing or installed near a wall without the help of an electrician.
The Verge author described testing an 800-watt system: he connected a cable from the solar equipment to a standard outlet in his home. According to him, by the end of a sunny summer day, electricity costs had almost fallen to zero.
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Cost and energy storage
The publication notes that traditional home solar installations can cost from about $15,000. Their installation usually requires contractors, permits, and prior approval from the energy company. Ready-made kits, meanwhile, can be purchased starting at about $300.
A battery can be added to such a kit to store excess energy produced during the day. After sunset, the stored energy can be fed back into the home. The image accompanying The Verge article shows a weatherproof EcoFlow kit with a built-in battery.
