I've been looking into installing a 10kW solar system on my roof, with quotes around $30k, but I'm also considering a DIY approach that would cost me about $15k. While doing my research, I started thinking about the connection between microinverters and the grid. If I have a 400W panel equipped with a microinverter, is there any reason I can't just attach a male plug to it and stick it into an outdoor outlet? After delving into Enphase microinverters, I noticed they mitigate the dangers associated with this setup through their startup sequence and quick disconnect features. What are the potential downsides to this method, and why isn't it a common practice?
2 Answers
In theory, you could do that, but there are some details to keep in mind. Most microinverters need both hot wires connected to operate properly. They typically don't require a neutral unless it's needed for voltage reference or communication, but this might vary. So if your microinverter is designed for 240V, you'd need the right outlet for it.
Yes, it can technically work, but creating a new 30A 240V outlet to plug into would actually involve more work than just connecting a series of microinverters together. It's not as straightforward as it seems!
Oh, I see! So if I'm looking at 240V microinverters, I can't just plug them into a regular 120V outlet then. That makes sense!