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Transcript:
In Germany, people who want to go solar can simply go to the store, buy a solar panel, and plug it in at home.
These plug-in solar systems send power directly into a home through a normal wall outlet.
Chou: “Instead of taking electricity out of that outlet, it pushes electricity gently back into that outlet that powers the rest of your home.”
Kevin Chou cofounded Bright Saver, a nonprofit that’s working to increase access to plug-in solar in the U.S.
He says plug-in solar systems do not produce as much energy as a full rooftop solar array.
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled if people move. So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households.
Chou: “The thing that resonated with me so much was the ability to take that first step within a couple of minutes … and have that be an experience that’s just like buying a TV or any other appliance.”
In the U.S., a lack of regulatory and safety standards for the technology has prevented it from taking off.
So Chou’s group has been advocating for legislation to make plug-in solar more feasible, and selling systems to early adopters – to help people in the U.S., like those in Europe, enjoy this simple, low-cost form of clean energy.
Reporting credit: Ethan Freedman / ChavoBart Digital Media
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