Plug in Solar Panels.....how do they work?

[Dave7]

This is a highly interesting idea. I wonder how much they will cost? I'm sure if even one person did a "ready-reckoner" on how much it could save people, they would sell like hot cakes. Even if it takes 5 years to pay for itself. We both work at home and have a house-bound adult kid, so something is always being used during the day i.e. 3 monitors, PC, laptop, gaming PC, TVs, kettle, washing machine, air fryer, hob....Not to mention the things that are always on like Wifi router, TVs on standby. It's also a good way to help out with the environment? With my tin hat on, I wonder if the energy cartels companies will try to say they don't work, or they "aren't compatible with your meter, and using equipment like this will incur a 15% increase on your bill for the additional strain on the system"?

The article said payback could be as quick as 4 years.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

What happens when .....

If I change a bulb or socket or instal anything electrical, I turn it off at the circuit breakers. But if you use one of these plug in solar chargers, will the wires still contain a charge?

The power in "pumped" in through the systems at one point

but near the mains power

so if you are e.g. changing a power socket then you switch it off at the relevant contact breaker and it is safe in the same way that it is safe from the norma mains

On our "proper" solar system the whole solar system has its own CB so we can isolate the whole thing from everything if we want to

 

[T4tomo]

https://strategicenergy.eu/plug-in-solar-europe/
popular in Germany
To get a decent benefit you probably need a small battery too.
https://balkon.solar/news/2025/03/17/how-does-plug-in-pv-in-germany-work/

 

[welsh dragon]

I read an article this morning that said plug in solar panels will be available to sell in the UK within a few months. Its on the Gov.uk website as well as this article

https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/lidl-plug-in-solar-panels-b2945237.html

 

[tom73]

Ecoflow have been selling them for a few years, along with the likes of Aldi they've been linked to this roll out.