I'm diving into the world of solar energy and have some questions that I hope aren't too basic. I have an off-grid cabin in the US, and I'm thinking ahead about installing a 100+ amp panel with some 110V circuits. Can I set up a 2kW solar panel system with an inverter and plug it into a 20 amp outlet to power low-watt devices? Also, could I charge my camping power station through a 15 amp outlet for use when the sun isn't shining? What happens if I draw more power than the solar panels provide, or if I'm not using enough power? Is the only route to installing an expandable off-grid solar kit with the correct breaker installed beforehand?
3 Answers
You could technically do that, but if an electrician came out to your place and saw it, they might turn off your main breaker thinking it’s safe to work on. That could lead to some safety issues. Keep in mind, safety first! Otherwise, you might rethink using bare conductors for wiring in such a setup.
I'm not totally up to speed on the newer plug-and-play systems since they’re mostly legal in Utah at the moment, but traditional grid-tied systems rely on the grid to function, meaning if the grid is down, so is your power. If you're looking to go off-grid, you really need a hybrid setup or off-grid inverter with battery storage to get consistent power.
True, but what if you used a normal inverter instead? Wouldn’t that work?
Isn't balcony solar usually meant for grid ties? Or does it have to be that way?
Yes, generally it is grid-tied, but I'm curious if there are exceptions. What’s the workaround?
Haha, yeah, snark aside, safety is super important!