Is Plug-in Solar Feasible for a T@B?

RTWCTS

Recently I've seen a few articles/videos on plug-in solar. The basic concept is that solar panels attach to a microinverter (converting the voltage to 120V AC). The electricity then passes through a plug and into a standard 120V outlet. This feeds the loads in a 120V circuit. It appears to be quite popular in Europe. According to a segment on PBS (link below), Utah recently made it legal for home use and legislation has been introduced in other states.

Small plug-in solar panels gain traction as an affordable way to cut electricity bills | PBS News Weekend

Could this work as a plug and play solution to augment power in a T@B through the outside receptacle? Would it power the converter to charge batteries? Let me know your thoughts...

Grumpy_G

It's meant to save on energy bills, which you (typically) don't have in a trailer. You can just as well charge the trailer battery directly via solar and avoid the losses from converting into 120V AC and then back into 12V. 

pthomas745

When I read up about these, I thought right off it would be a very easy way to install batteries under the benches of my 320, with a simple inverter setup.  The plug in solar would take care of charging the batteries and running an inverter...with very little extra wiring involving the trailer's WFCO.  

SLJ

For a camper I would think running a solar panel through a microinverter and then dropping it back to DC voltage to charge the battery would be very inefficient.

Marceline

RTWCTS said:

Could this work as a plug and play solution to augment power in a T@B through the outside receptacle? Would it power the converter to charge batteries? Let me know your thoughts...

It's an interesting idea that could allow you to use the AC circuits when boondocking. But doesn't your 400 already have a built-in inverter that allows the same from your roof solar?