Home Owners / Make the power

Solar panels for home owners

Two paths: a small plug-in kit you install yourself where your state allows it, or a permitted rooftop or ground system through your utility.

What matters

  • Your state law and its start date. A signed law is not in effect until its start date (Bright Saver state table).
  • Size against the circuit, not just the law. Most laws allow 1,200 W, but a shared 15 A circuit leaves about 360 W of headroom (Bright Saver).
  • Where the sun is. A south-facing railing, wall or yard spot beats a shaded roof edge.

Watch out for

  • In states without a law, a kit that feeds an outlet still needs utility approval. PPL, for example, requires approval before any solar is installed.
  • HOA rules can restrict exterior changes even where state law allows the device (EnergySage).

Equipment we have researched

Not for sale through us yet. Specs are copied from the cited source on the date shown; nothing here is hands-on tested.

Hoymiles (model family)

Hoymiles HiFlow Pro

Plug-in microinverter

AC output
360 W to 500 W
UL 3700
Listed by Hoymiles
Not yet available

APsystems

APsystems EZ1-LV

Plug-in microinverter

AC output
900 W
UL 3700
CSA certified (APsystems)
Not yet available

Keep going

Sources