Plug-In Solar Expands to California
Plug-in solar, which is sometimes called balcony solar, is common in Europe and is now beginning to be used in the US. Utah passed a law last year that made it the first state to enable 1.2-kW plug-in solar panel installations without needing permission from the utility company. People in the country’s biggest solar state are now interested in plug-in solar.
California’s “Plug Into the Sun Act”
Senate Bill 868 was submitted in the California Senate earlier this week. It was written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). The “Plug Into the Sun Act” would do away with red tape and establish safety requirements for portable solar systems that are typically found on balconies throughout Europe. Plug-and-play solar solutions would let people make their own clean power and lower their energy bills by making it easier to get permits and connect to the grid.
How Balcony Solar Systems Work
The Environmental Working Group says that balcony solar systems may be attached to a railing or slanted in a garden. They can also be plugged directly into a regular 120-V outlet with an integrated microinverter. Some systems that plug in also include a battery. The solar systems are tiny, usually less than 1.2 kW, and cost less than $1,000.
UL Solutions Introduces Plug-In Solar Certification
UL Solutions has developed a new testing program specifically for plug-in solar systems. The certification follows UL 3700, the standard for evaluating interactive plug-in photovoltaic equipment. This standard covers everything from how these systems are built to how they perform and what information needs to be on their labels. Manufacturers now have clear benchmarks to ensure their products consistently meet safety and performance requirements.
Ken Boyce, VP of Principal Engineering, Industrial Testing, Inspection and Certification at UL Solutions, stated,
“Our new plug-in solar system certification program gives manufacturers and consumers the clarity they need to embrace plug-in solar systems with confidence.”
“UL 3700 helps reduce possible risks by setting standards for how these systems should be built, tested for safety, and installed safely. It also makes it easier for more people to get access to reliable solar power.”
Safety Standards and Benefits
Solar systems that are linked to household circuits have several concerns, such as the systems being too full and the chance of electricity flowing back into the lines. UL 3700 sets safety standards for manufacturers and also addresses these extra risks by requiring features that reduce the chance of accidentally touching dangerous electrical parts, encourage safe installation, protect against overloads, and stop electric current from flowing in the wrong direction. Plug-in solar systems that meet UL 3700 standards might be good for renters and homeowners who can’t put systems on their roofs. They could also be used to power important electronics during outages.
