PV Gap

Kimberly Said:

Can I plug a solar panel into a wall socket to lower my electric bill?

We Answered:

You're quite right that the solar panel can't be directly connected.

I sense that you want to start small, but unfortunately, it's hard enough to make a system with a dozen or more panels pay back. (It can, we have a system...) But with just one panel, maybe a small one, the economy of scale is gone. You need to buy a grid-tie inverter, which watt-for-watt will be more expensive than a regular size one, and for a small panel, the $$/watt value will be poor.

There are some [illegal in most places] tiny grid-tie inverters that I see advertised on the web from time to time, with an ordinary plug that goes into the wall. Those are generally against electrical codes, and the danger is real.

There is also a crop of micro-inverters being sold by companies such as Enphase. These are legitimate products, but will still be costly per watt, and ultimately, it will be hard to have a net savings over time with just one panel.

Have you already taken the conservation steps like LED light bulbs, efficient appliances (especially refrigerator), insulation, and using a power strip to turn off loads that are not being used? That stuff isn't sexy, but saves money fast.