Can I Use Household Extension Cords for Solar Panel Wiring?

Using a regular household extension cord for solar panel connections isn't advisable. Those cords are commonly 12 or 16 AWG, which are meant for AC current, while solar panels produce DC energy. Ideally, you'd want to use 10 gauge wire designed for DC. For anyone looking to set up solar, definitely check out some YouTube videos, especially those made by Will Prowse. They're super informative!

In some parts of Europe, you might find plug-and-play solar setups, but in the U.S., it’s a different story. We usually have to plug solar battery systems into the wall without feeding power back into the grid. It’s essential to have battery and solar systems properly configured, so I encourage using an all-in-one inverter to keep things simple and safe. If you're considering this route, invest in proper wiring—don't go for extension cords!

Nope, you definitely shouldn't use household extension cords for this purpose. Solar panels output DC energy, but regular household systems run on AC. If you absolutely must use a cord, it should be between the inverter and the appliances, not directly to the panels. Think about fire risks and ensuring correct connections—it's just a bad idea!