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Frequently Asked Questions
We are excited to help you save money on your utility bills and contribute to climate solutions. At Bright Saver, our mission is to make solar energy accessible to everyone, regardless of income or housing type. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Balcony Solar
Net Metering Expansion Kits
No, the system does not provide backup power during an outage. For safety reasons, plug-in systems automatically shut off when the grid goes down. The system is designed to reduce your electricity use while the grid is running, not to serve as an emergency source of power.
Solar panels work optimally in direct, unfiltered sunlight. If mounted indoors, even right at a window, the glass reduces light intensity by filtering out a significant amount of the sun’s energy. Your solar panel will produce only a fraction of what it would produce outside, unlikely to be worth the investment.
Just bring the system with you to your next home. As long as there's no pre-existing rooftop solar in your new home, you should be able to plug our panel in. If there is rooftop solar, please review your agreement carefully to ensure a system like ours qualifies for usage.
Anywhere outdoors with at least 6 hours of direct sun: mounted on a railing, wall, or fence, laid flat, or leaned at an angle. Always secure or weigh it down.
We recommend plugging in only one panel for most households. The panel produces a maximum of 180 watts under optimal conditions, but many households do not have more than that in baseload, i.e. electrical devices that are always on. Excess energy not consumed by those will flow back to the grid, which won’t be credited by your utility.
If you run electric heating or cooling during the day for most of the year, have a pool pump or heat pump water heater, or charge your EV at home, your home likely uses enough electricity to support two units without backfeeding tio the grid. In those cases, it makes sense to add the second panel.
If you're unsure, it's always best to start with one panel and monitor your energy use.
We recommend plugging the inverter cord directly into a wall outlet whenever possible.
If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is:
Heavy-duty and outdoor-rated
Grounded (3-prong plug)
Properly rated for at least 15 amps (although two panels only produces 3 amps, the cord should meet household safety standards)
Do not use a power strip. Power strips are not designed for continuous power input and may pose a fire risk when used with energy-generating devices like solar panels.
For safety and compliance, avoid daisy-chaining cords or running cords through doors or windows where they can be pinched or damaged.
Most rooftop solar systems are part of a formal interconnection or net metering arrangement that limits additional solar equipment. Since plug-in panels operate independently from your existing solar installation, it may not be allowed under your existing agreement or require an amendment. We recommend consulting with your utility.
One 180 W panel can produce up to 270 kWh per year, depending on your location how it is mounted (ideally, tilted at around 45 degrees). On a good summer day, you can produce 1 kWh and more per panel, with production typically peaking at 150-160 W.
You use it or lose it. You’ll save the most on your energy bills if you use the electricity generated by the panels while the sun is shining. We recommend using energy-intensive appliances like laundry and dishwashers as well as charging electronics during the day when the sun is shining to maximize your savings.
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