Solar panels that you hang on your balcony and plug into the socket seem convenient but carry serious risks, experts warn on NU.nl. They warn of electric shocks and fire hazards if misused.
Sockets not suitable
Here’s the thing: outlets are not designed to feed electricity back. This can lead to overloading. When several appliances together use more than 3,600 watts, the cables can heat up and cause a fire. Joost de Koning, energy engineering expert at Schneider Electric, stresses that this scenario should be taken seriously.
Manuals
The Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) warns that manufacturers’ manuals often do not adequately point out the risks. Supersola, a manufacturer of plug-in solar panels, states that customers can connect up to three panels to a group. However, according to NEN, it is not safe to connect these panels to an extension cord. This creates an increased risk of overloading.
Older houses extra vulnerable
In older homes, the risk is even greater. Traditional fuse boxes and old electrical cables are often surrounded by insulating material. If these cables overheat, it can quickly lead to fire. Then things can really go wrong, warns De Koning.
Germany has rules, the Netherlands lags behind
In Germany, the rules for “Balkonkraftwerke” are already strict. A maximum of 800 watts may be returned and special sockets are required. In the Netherlands, there is no maximum powers, and normal plugs are used. Supersola’s advice to connect three solar panels leads to a feed-in of 1,050 watts.
Better education
Experts call for better education and caution when using plug-in solar panels. The risks of electric shock and fire should not be underestimated. It is important that users are properly informed about the dangers. Only then can accidents be prevented.
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