California has joined nine other US states in approving plug-in solar installations, more commonly known as balcony solar. The Plug and Play Solar Act was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed into law by governor Gavin Newsom on September 30th.
The Plug and Play Solar kits consist of at least one solar panel and a microinverter to convert DC to 120V AC power, along with a battery backup for those who want power in the evening. They are relatively inexpensive compared to regular rooftop installations as they can be self-installed and (usually) plugged into a standard AC socket. You won't need to register a plug-in solar system with utilities as is required for rooftop installations. The new process will be relatively simple and free, with immediate approvals. But don't rush out to buy any kit ahead of the law change, as there's a few caveats you need to be aware of. California has several rules that may limit the tech for now, however. Installations are limited to 1,200W (enough to run a refrigerator and a few small appliances), which is much less than a rooftop installation (6,000+ watts). That number is in line with most other states but less than the 1,920 W maximum allowed in Colorado. California's law also requires UL or equivalent certification, and there is just one of those (UL3700) for plug-in solar so far. UL3700 requires components to prevent against things like accidental touching of hazardous electrical parts, protection against overloads and prevention of current from flowing in the wrong direction. The defining feature of UL3700, however, is the requirement for a
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing