‘If 1.5m Germans have them there must be something in it’: how balcony solar is taking off
www.theguardian.com
Balcony solar panels can save 30% on a typical household’s electricity bill and, with vertical surface area in cities larger than roof space, the appeal is clear
  • Singletona082English
    3•20 hours ago

    Even if non-optimal, it’s still an amount of energy capture that isn’t otherwise happening.

    • @[email protected]English
      1•20 hours ago

      Easy to install - just plug into your power plug - low costs - starting at around 300€ - and return on invest in 1-2 years. That‘s a quick win.

      However, you should have more recent power cables installed in the wall, not old ones from the 60ies. Or put differently, if your cables in the wall get warm when your hair dryer runs for half a hour - don’t do it.

      • @WombleEnglish
        1•9 hours ago

        The article says they cost 400-800 Euro and the poster at the top says they generated 380kWh which is about 100 Euro’s worth so seems more like 4-8 years. Still likely worthwhile of you can get that and they last significantly longer than 10 years, but not a no brainer everyone should buy.

      • @CortEnglish
        2•20 hours ago

        Does the wiring actually matter? The max output for the solar should be drastically less than the pull from a hair dryer. Normally the hair dryers less than 7 amps at 240v, but the solar should be half that at most right?

        • @[email protected]English
          1•1 hour ago

          You‘re right. It’s actually a poor example. In Germany it’s reduced to 600 and 800W or 2,5 and 3,33A.

          However, the constant current might be an issue for old and thin cables. Working as a resistor and heats up.

          • @CortEnglish
            1•1 hour ago

            That’s a good point, this would have a couple amps going through it all day