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.
In Germany, which has very strict regulations, there was some discussion and now small balcony solar systems can feed back into the grid, turning the meter backwards. One has to register it and in theory the utility company will install a smart meter, but often, the latter does not happen (and the former is rarely controlled). (And for safety, the panels and inverters will switch off if the grid is down.)
In Germany, which has very strict regulations, there was some discussion and now small balcony solar systems can feed back into the grid, turning the meter backwards. One has to register it and in theory the utility company will install a smart meter, but often, the latter does not happen (and the former is rarely controlled). (And for safety, the panels and inverters will switch off if the grid is down.)
Most but the oldest mechanical meters cannot run backwards. Whatever you don’t consume is gifted to the grid.