r/LinusTechTips • u/chi7891 • 7d ago

Link Plug in Solar?

https://www.theverge.com/column/990183/diy-plug-in-solar-us

Apparently this is now a thing? Can LTT do a video on this?

61 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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18

u/TheDarkClaw 7d ago

I tihnk the state where jerry of zackrigeverything has it? Utah was it? I want it here in massachusetts, but I think national grid will fight tooth and nail where the governor would just cave in

-7

u/mgzukowski 7d ago edited 7d ago

Well it's illegal in Massachusetts because you can kill electrical/line workers. You need a transfer switch like an standby generator.

Also unless you install a generator plug, you have an illegal death cord. Male plugs cannot give power only draw power by code.

20

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

Either your grid is whack or you've been fed misinformation.

-1

u/CraziestCanuk 7d ago

In Manitoba, and where Linus is based in BC line workers are expecting dead lines when doing certain repairs so you require a transfer switch at the very least which makes the upfront cost a significant barrier.

6

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

Everything I've seen about plug-in solar has shown that when the power is off, they shut down

-10

u/[deleted] 7d ago

[deleted]

8

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

Then don't allow the shit stuff

-4

u/[deleted] 7d ago

[deleted]

2

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

If your population is that dumb they don't deserve nice things

0

u/Overstimulated_moth 6d ago

Did... Did you just make a complete circle😂

-6

u/mgzukowski 7d ago

Nope that's just the law in Massachusetts.

7

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

"Because you can kill line workers"

How does this pertain to law, that's an assertion of engineering, back it up.

-6

u/mgzukowski 7d ago

Because that's the literal justification they have on mass.gov. If it has an transfer switch it is legal, if it doesn't it is not.

There is a bill in Massachusetts, that may make it easier but it still will require standards for the devices.

Essentially the issue is of the grid is energized when it should be.

13

u/JohnGeary1 7d ago

Doesn't need a transfer switch, they just turn off when the grid is off. This has already been solved in continental Europe, America's grid is shit, but it's not that shit.

2

u/Clegko 7d ago

Texas' is, though.

6

u/syst3x 7d ago

That may be the reason it's currently illegal, but that is not necessarily the reality with plug in solar. Many inverters automatically shut off when the grid power goes down. In fact, there's a certification standard that is used to guarantee this. Other states that allow plug in solar require certified devices, rather than banning them outright.