In countries like Germany, balcony-mounted solar panels are all the rage. But from breaker-masking to voltage mismatches, America’s grid isn’t ready for it—yet.
This is why I have 2 kWp, on the roof. Suboptimal orientation, some afternoon shading so only 4.5 kWh/day longterm average.
Vertical is good for the winter. Vertical free standing bifacials are surprisingly good year over, because of better convection cooling and reflection, especially from snow or water.
They offload some of your electrical usage to a free source to lower your bill and help the environment. Its not a replacement for grid electricity. Its a supplement. Since it seems like whoever you were replying to thought these were supposed to power your whole house.
I’m not insinuating anything. I’m suggesting they cost a lot and the power they give is not worth the investment. If they were significantly lower and cost or significantly higher in power, regardless of being able to fully power your home, then they might be a better solution.
But you were commenting on my comment of economic collapse which is laughing at the person who suggested that nothing’s wrong. So, they are eithernot paying attention to anything or dumb as fuck
They pay for themselves in two years or less. Legal 800 W feed-in limited still allow for 2 kWp total module power and increasingly there are buffer batteries.
I think the people replying to you aren’t properly parsing your comment. To rephrase it for these folks:
“I don’t understand why -during an economic collapse- people won’t pay outrageous prices for something that can… charge a laptop”
I.e., it shouldn’t be surprising that people aren’t going to spend a bunch of money on something nearly useless when our economy is actively collapsing
“I don’t understand why people won’t pay outrageous prices for something that can only charge a laptop during an economic collapse”
Lol. The article is underselling them a bit. 800W does a bit more than that.
Btw. prices have become pretty low. So it’s worth it if you have the space. Not sure what you mean with economic collapse, though.
I’m an engineer that worked in solar for a bit. You will not get 800w out of vertical panels on your balcony.
Yep probably closer to 200w which is still pretty good for a room without air conditioning.
It depends on the balcony. I could get that on mine pretty easily, but it would mean basically closing the entire thing off.
This is why I have 2 kWp, on the roof. Suboptimal orientation, some afternoon shading so only 4.5 kWh/day longterm average.
Vertical is good for the winter. Vertical free standing bifacials are surprisingly good year over, because of better convection cooling and reflection, especially from snow or water.
They’re heavily tariffed at the moment.
Not sure what I mean by economic collapse?
You’re making a joke, right?
These systems dont keep the lights on when the grid is down. That may not be what you’re insinuating, but it is a common misconception.
They offload some of your electrical usage to a free source to lower your bill and help the environment. Its not a replacement for grid electricity. Its a supplement. Since it seems like whoever you were replying to thought these were supposed to power your whole house.
No body thinks these power your house.
You clearly did.
Quote me or fuck off 💋
You are clearly dissatisfied with the power output. I may be hyperbolizing, but obviously you were expecting more.
I’m not insinuating anything. I’m suggesting they cost a lot and the power they give is not worth the investment. If they were significantly lower and cost or significantly higher in power, regardless of being able to fully power your home, then they might be a better solution.
But you were commenting on my comment of economic collapse which is laughing at the person who suggested that nothing’s wrong. So, they are eithernot paying attention to anything or dumb as fuck
They pay for themselves in two years or less. Legal 800 W feed-in limited still allow for 2 kWp total module power and increasingly there are buffer batteries.
I think the people replying to you aren’t properly parsing your comment. To rephrase it for these folks:
I.e., it shouldn’t be surprising that people aren’t going to spend a bunch of money on something nearly useless when our economy is actively collapsing
Haha thank you.
Balkonkraftwerk makes zero power when the grid is down.