#pluginsolar

Sebastian Müller from @balkonsolar Verein is presenting their many projects in grassroots work at #PlugInSolarConference, including a #PlugInSolar upcycling-record.

Solar Rights Alliance on SB 868 (just signed into law in California) "...This new Plug-In solar law does three things: Creates a statewide safety standard for Plug-In solar. Limits the size of these systems to 1200 watts (about 3-4 panels). Creates a new rule that lets us use these safety certified systems without having to pay the utility a fee or get permission from the utility. Millions of households in other countries use these Plug-In systems every day to make their electricity more affordable. In Germany, people can buy these systems online, in hardware stores, and in big box stores like Ikea and Walmart. These portable solar panels come with integrated microinverters, and they can be hung from a balcony, set out on a patio, or placed in a yard, and then safely plugged into a wall outlet. These Plug-In systems can help renters and homeowners alike immediately lower their energy bill. And now, they’re coming to California! Here's what to expect next: The Plug-In solar law goes into effect on January 1st, 2027. It’ll probably take a few more months after that for manufacturers to get their first round of products certified by safety experts, as the law requires. We’re keeping a close eye on developments to ensure that you're among the first to know when safe, certified Plug-In solar systems start hitting shelves. ..." #pluginsolar #solar #climateresilience#energy

RE: https://freiburg.social/@balkonsolar/116976882525333109 #Pluginsolar with a battery gives consumers the ability to be more resilient: especially in scenarios as described by the Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency (Huoltovarmuuskeskus): “The Finnish electricity system is in a state of major disruption. Large parts of the country are intermittently in darkness. Efforts are being made to manage the power shortage through intermittent power outages. Recovery assessments are complicated by the possibility of new outages.”

“ UK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of August” https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/jul/23/uk-households-free-install-plug-in-balcony-solar-panels Ooooo! :) That’s much quicker than I was expecting! #Solar #SolarPanels #RenewableEnergy #PlugInSolar

The balcony solar movement is stomping on Trump's fossil fuel fantasy. https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/04/balcony-solar-us-states-legislation-powerful-movement/ #solar #solarpower #solarenergy #balconysolar #pluginsolar #solarpanels #greenenergy #cleanenergy #renewableenergy #renewables #energytransition #utilitybills #electricity #diy #diysolar

Happy #FourthofJuly to you. Remember to legalise #pluginsolar, you #Americans invented this while solar cell stuff back in 1954. (Image: Bell Laboratories image of the first panel and first cells from the solar power museum)

RE: https://freiburg.social/@sbamueller/116800151256204443

So what did I tell #Hoymiles about #pluginsolar in Germany? Here is my presentation.

We have now 4-5 Mio #pluginsolar systems in 🇩🇪, there are about 5,07 Mio motorcycles, so nearly as common.

~10% of Households have #balconysolar ½ are with a battery Mounting exists for nearly all situations:

• thick concrete balconies
• glass balconies
• walls
• fences
• flat roofs You name it and these are getting better. We calculate that nearly all #pluginsolar Systems are economical beneficial for the user.

RE: https://mastodon.world/@MachDeinenStrom/116805321989183212

Our chair @sbamueller@freiburg.social went to the #plugin conference of Bundesverband #Steckersolar and gave presentation about the upcycling old solar panels to new #pluginsolar systems.

What do we need?

• used solar panels that are not to far away
• new microinverters
• solar multimeters to measure the panels

keep in mind as long as the panels look good they will still supply about 90% of the original capacity.

• instructors who tells people what to do

• tools: such as crimping tools, cable strippers, cable cutters and of course the right MC4 compatible connectors.

What else? You need funding so that you can pay the instructors and helpers. Participants are usually either families or people 50+ who want to find out about solar and later buy larger systems, either professional roof top #solar systems or battery #pluginsolar. You need and you generate attention. Often people try out a small upcycling system and then move on to larger systems