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Old Crank

(6,505 posts)

27. Power output can be all over the map

Reply to SnoopDog (Reply #25)

Mon Dec 1, 2025, 02:21 PM

13 hrs ago

Depending on system size. Most balcony units are around 400w at the small end and rated up to 1,000 watts at the high end. But you can only put 800w into you home through the plug. In Germany your 500w panel might give you a bit more than 400w, depending on a whole host of variables. 800 would run all the lights in my apartment and a couple of exhaust fans, 2 bathrooms, kitchen. No necessarily all at once. With Led lights I think my total watts for lights is under 200.

Here is more information from a manufacturer. We can get a setup from IKEA. It is my understanding that apartment owners can no longer stop you from adding on a system. Next year I think we will be checking with our home owners group since we have a south facing balcony.

https://www.ankersolix.com/eu/blogs/balcony-power-plant-with-storage/balcony-power-plant-requirements

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Power surge: law changes could soon bring balcony solar to millions across US [View all] BumRushDaShow Sunday OP

(Sigh) Our homeowners association would freak out if anyone dared to put one/some of these on their unit progree Sunday #1

I doubt that Hitler had lesser power than HOAs do FredGarvin Sunday #5

I was exaggerating (sigh) /nt progree Sunday #6

HOAs do have a remarkable level of power. yardwork 10 hrs ago #31

This is a great idea but there might be/is a problem... SnoopDog Sunday #2

Transfer switch is required and disconnecting the home from the electrical utility FredGarvin Sunday #4

But that implies the homeowner would switch it off... SnoopDog Sunday #7

Agreed. I don't see it being enough power mdbl Sunday #8

Solar Panels produce DC current... SnoopDog Sunday #10

You're confusing kilowatt-hours with kilowatts groundloop Sunday #12

I actually do know the difference... SnoopDog Sunday #13

We have rooftop solar DBoon 14 hrs ago #26

The inverters on these things are "smart," they've got microprocessors in them. hunter Sunday #16

The 'solar or wind projects disconnect simultaneously, and the entire grid crashes' part... SnoopDog Sunday #18

It has happened before and it will again. hunter Sunday #20

Very interesting... SnoopDog 15 hrs ago #24

About a third of my neighbors have large solar systems. hunter 11 hrs ago #30

In Germany the power from the panels is Old Crank Yesterday #22

Good Idea for dozens of years FredGarvin Sunday #3

My washing machine just used .30 kwh SnoopDog 9 hrs ago #32

What will we do with... littlemissmartypants Sunday #9

You mean like all the other junk that is produced in the world? SnoopDog Sunday #11

Have you looked at the statistics on recycling lately? littlemissmartypants Sunday #14

Panels should be good for 25, Inverters for 15. Old Crank 13 hrs ago #28

What if you had a place in the Country, that wasn't connected to the power grid? This would work tremendously well, SWBTATTReg Sunday #15

Then you need batteries. Those are expensive. hunter Sunday #17

I've been playing with these kinds of systems for a couple of years now. hunter Sunday #19

The question to ask ... Grins Sunday #21

Munich here. Old Crank Yesterday #23

Question for you... SnoopDog 15 hrs ago #25

Power output can be all over the map Old Crank 13 hrs ago #27

Thom Hartman mentioned the balcony solar today on his program... SnoopDog 13 hrs ago #29