top of page
Search

Plug-in Power is coming soon to some 'next billion' consumers!

Updated: 4 days ago

Introducing plug-in or "balcony" solar


Legislation to legalize "portable" plug-in solar


New laws have been proposed in at least 30 states thus far


. . . and laws have already passed and implementation is starting in a handful already.

What are the basic provisions in all the proposed legislation? VERY small systems only, using standard or special "added safety" 120V and possibly 220V plugs, with total "portable" power in the ranges of 400W, 800W, 1,200W, and possibly 2,000W.


What are the important "use-cases" for plug-in systems?

  1. Convenience users

  2. Emergency and "critical needs" equipment

  3. Home medical care equipment

  4. Service for "Next-Billion customers.

What else is needed to fully open markets for plug-in systems?

EV charging and V2E systems. V2E means "vehicle to everything." It's a term meant to expand on the initial concept of vehicle to grid (V2G) interaction, where electric vehicles plugged into a grid-integrated charging system can be controlled so best manage electicity storage and also provide valuable grid-services when needed. The broader idea for V2E is that EVs can serve a variety of needs with or without a grid-connection.

System sizes for plug-in power can be any order of magnitude from single-digit watts up to the world's largest "micro-grids" that serve campuses, islands, and remote communities, at scales sometimes approaching 100MW. In between those two extremes can be pico-grids, nano-grids, mini-grids, and micro-grids. (See: https://www.appropedia.org/ Grid_Architecture_for_Energy_Ladder_Products_and_Services and Stanton and Nordman, 2017, "Regulating ‘Energy Ladder’ Products and Services -- Delivering Vital Energy Services Using Off-Grid, Mini-Grid, and Micro-Grid Power Systems." The ICER Chronicle 7. https://www.academia.edu/ 34590249/The_ICER_Chronicle_Regulating_Energy_Ladder_Products_and_Services_Delivering_Vital_Energy_Services_Using_Off_Grid_Mini_Grid_and_Micro_Grid_Power_Systems).

Are regulatory changes needed too, in addition to enabling legislation?


What changes are needed in utility rates and terms and conditions of service?

How is "excess generation" compensated, if at all, for the delivery of "occasional" outflows from a customer premise to an interconnected utility distribution system? How can fool-proof systems be tested and certified for their ability to meet all requirements for safety, including for fire safety, electrical safety for everyone who might come into contact with such systems and for their potential relationship to other interconnected equipment belonging to the same or neighboring customers and the utility distribution system operator or service provider.


Microgrid operators. Virtual power plants.


Systems available for purchase and use now.


[Editor's Note: Existing companies are listed here only for the purpose of showing examples. No endorsement is implied for any particular companies. Readers should investigate thoroughly and understand clearly all guarantees, warrantys, and consumer protections provided by vendors, installers, and other participating entities, including utility companies and code and standard enforcing authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), before purchasing any plug-in power options.]


PLUG-IN POWER FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW: WHAT'S GOING TO BE IN YOUR STARTER KIT


Here's what's already in my own Plug-in Power kit. First, a completely portable system, small enough to fit into the folding wheelcart in the foreground,and showing off in this photo two of my 7 solar panels for charging, plus multiple power connectors and one of two portable "Eco-Flow River batteries shown here.



In this photo, the 160W folding solar panel resting on the car windshield, with the battery and some "adaprots" in the middle, and a 45W folding solar panel at the bottom.


The battery itself has a wide array of plugs. Here you see a "12V adapter for the automotive plug (at top right), a connector to the 45W panel at middle right, and USB A and C connectors at top left. The one AC circut at the bottom left is plugged into a Milwaukee Tools 18V battery charger.




This image shows some of the additional choices for connecting additional solar panels and/or for using the 12V automotive power plug to charge the battery.




And here, one of my FIVE fold-out solar panels. Right now, I have two 225W bifacial panels, two of these 160W panels, the smaller 45W panel that shows in the second photo, above. In addition I have two one-watt solar panels fixed to batteries for charging low-wattage USB equipment. Anotther smaller 18W folding panel is on order, especially for charging small devices while traveling.




My personal list of appliances and tools ready to be charged this way already includes MANY devices in all four of the primary use cases. A growing inventory for my household already includes: (1) at least two dozen different LED lighting devices, including flashlights, headlamps, "solar lanterns" and more; (2) some personal hygeine and medical care devices, including thusfar a USB toothbrush, power flosser, shavers and hair trimmers, an AI stethoscope, health watch, and health ring; (3) all kinds of portable audio and video equipment, (4) portable and cordless tools using standard battery packs, like those from Milwaukee, Black & Decker, Craftsman, DeWalt, Ryobi, or others; and (5) "last-mile transportation devices, including an electric scooter and its safety equipment including USB lights, horn, turn signals, operating smart-phone app, and a light-up helmet, and a folding e-bike that fits in even a small car trunk. At some time in the not too distant future we plan to add a plug-in electric vehicle with bidrectional charging capability, and we already have some devices that generate electricity using bicycle generators and small human dynamos. In the event of long duration grid outages, these devices can let us continue to serve many of our important needs. Our home solar and battery system has about 7.5kW of rooftop solar panels on a west-facing roof and 10kWh of AC battery power inside our home. That system is wired to a separate "critical loads panel" that serves six circuits in our home, and it switches instantly to the solar and battery power during grid outages. And, we can use the two portable batteries and their solar panels to operate all kinds of portable and cordless equipment, up to and including about 400Watts of continuous usage and 800Watts of start-up current.


A check in any store that offers power tools and yard and garden tools will have dozens of choices.


RESOURCES

These documents are all related to these topics:


REFERENCE MATERIALS

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
The National Geographic "group of 33"

The April 2026 National Geographic Magazine includes a report "honoring a group of extraordinary people who are rising to meet the most critical challenges of our time, making meaningful progress and

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page