16
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2025
16 points (100.0% liked)
SolarDIY
581 readers
1 users here now
SolarDIY is a vibrant community dedicated to embracing the power of solar energy. Here, we encourage you to showcase your ingenious ideas, innovative projects, and inspiring stories, while also seeking valuable advice, fresh ideas, and fostering meaningful connections.
Our passion lies in witnessing the remarkable achievements of individuals who have harnessed the potential of solar energy. Whether you have successfully wired your entire house with solar panels, created a portable solar-powered generator, or crafted an efficient solar pool heater, we are eager to learn from your experiences and celebrate your accomplishments.
Join us on this empowering journey as we explore the endless possibilities of solar energy and inspire one another to make a positive impact on our environment and our lives. Together, we can unlock the full potential of solar power and shape a sustainable future.
Share your DIY solar projects, exchange knowledge, and let your creativity shine!
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Got a 700W "balcony" system. It steadily eats €20 off the monthly bill at the moment.
I'm assuming it's one of the systems that plugs right into an outlet to synchronize with mains power?
I know those cut power if mains power goes down, but is there a built-in way to still use the panels for powering stuff not through the wall?
For example, if your power goes down, is there a socket on the inverter that you could plug your computer into or something like that?
Obviously, it wouldn't be hard to just keep an extra inverter or a portable power station on hand, but I'm curious what the mainstream devices provide.
A lot of them don't have dedicated sockets on them to prevent you from back feeding power into the grid when it's down. There's nothing stopping Joe Schmo from getting a male to male cable and plugging that into his wall outlet and giving an electrical worker a nice zap. Gotta plan for the lowest common denominator when it comes to safety.
I guess that's fair. It would be nice to have at least like USB outputs to keep devices charged during a power outage.