A plug and play panel connects to a standard electrical outlet and directly injects the electricity produced into your home network. Unlike conventional installations connected to the meter, it requires no modification to your electrical installation. The process is automatic and transparent.

Quick Answer: Process in 4 Steps

1. Photovoltaic cells capture light: Conversion of solar radiation into direct current 30-50V
2. Micro-inverter converts DC to AC: Transformation of direct current into alternating current 230V 50Hz
3. Injection via domestic outlet: Electricity injected into circuit via standard outlet connected to ground
4. Automatic priority consumption: Connected devices use solar production before public grid

Total process duration: instantaneous (a few milliseconds between light capture and grid injection).

Step 1: Solar Capture and Direct Current Production

Composition of Photovoltaic Cells

Plug and play panels use monocrystalline silicon cells - the technology offering the best yield (20-24%). Each panel contains 60 to 120 cells connected in series.

Photovoltaic Effect

Physical process:

• Photons (light particles) strike the silicon cell
• Electrons break free from their atom
• Movement of electrons creates a direct electric current

Characteristics of the current produced:

• Voltage: 30-50V DC (direct current)
• Instantaneous power: 0-400W depending on sunshine
• Maximum production: full sun at noon (1000 W/m²)
• Reduced production: overcast sky 10-25% of maximum

Real production by conditions:

• Full sun: 350-400W
• Veiled sky: 150-250W
• Overcast sky: 50-100W
• Rain: 20-50W
• Night: 0W

The panel produces as soon as there is light, even weak. No need for direct sun to function, but the yield decreases proportionally.

Step 2: Conversion by Micro-Inverter

Role of the Micro-Inverter

The micro-inverter is the critical component attached to the back of the panel. It transforms the direct current (unusable by household appliances) into alternating current compatible with the grid.

Three simultaneous functions:

1. DC/AC Conversion

• Input: 30-50V DC variable
• Output: 230V AC 50Hz stable
• Conversion efficiency: 95-97%

2. Grid Synchronization

• Detection of grid frequency (50Hz in France)
• Exact voltage adjustment (230V ±10%)
• Electrical phase synchronization

3. MPPT Optimization (Maximum Power Point Tracking)

• Search for optimal production point every second
• Automatic adjustment according to sunshine
• Maximizes power extraction from the panel

Physical Integration

Standard micro-inverter characteristics:

Brand	Max power	Efficiency	Warranty	Unit price
APsystems DS3	800W (2 panels)	96.5%	10 years	180-220€
Enphase IQ8	384W	97%	25 years	250-300€
Hoymiles HM-400	400W	96.7%	12 years	120-150€

The micro-inverter is pre-installed at the factory on plug and play kits. You don't see it and never have to handle it. It operates autonomously as soon as the panel captures light.

DIN VDE 0126-1-1 Safety Standard

All compliant micro-inverters include certified decoupling protection. This function automatically cuts production if the grid presents an anomaly (details in dedicated section below).

Step 3: Injection into Domestic Network

Connection to Standard Outlet

The panel connects to any 230V outlet connected to ground (3 pins). No special outlet required.

Provided cable:

• Length: 3-10m depending on models
• Type: UV-resistant AC cable (outdoor use)
• Connectors: Standard European male plug
• Section: 2.5 mm² minimum (supports 16A)

Physical installation:

1. Micro-inverter output connector → AC cable (already connected at factory)
2. AC cable → domestic wall outlet
3. Production starts immediately

Propagation in Electrical Circuit

The electricity produced automatically takes the path of least resistance = shortest circuit to operating appliances.

Concrete example:

• Panel plugged into living room outlet
• TV on in living room: uses solar production as priority
• Kitchen oven on: can use production if sufficient power
• Upstairs appliance: uses production if circuits connected

Important: Electricity doesn't "choose" where to go. It distributes instantaneously according to physical laws (Ohm's law). All operating appliances on your network benefit from the production.

800W Regulatory Limit

ADEME recommends maximum 800W per outlet circuit (= 2 panels of 400W). Beyond:

• Risk of overloading 16A circuit
• Electrician intervention required
• Electrical panel modification required

For simple plug and play use: limit yourself to maximum 2 panels on the same circuit.

Non-Stored Surplus

Without battery, if production > instantaneous consumption:

• Surplus injected free onto public grid
• No counting or compensation
• No sale possible to EDF OA

You "give" the surplus to your neighbors. To avoid this loss: add a storage battery.

Step 4: Automatic Priority Consumption

Physical Principle of Short Path

Electricity always follows the path of least resistance. Solar production + public grid coexist on your installation. Your appliances automatically consume:

1. First: Solar production (short path, low resistance)
2. Then: Public grid if production insufficient

No action required on your part. The process is physical, not logical. No switch, no choice to make.

Consumption Scenarios

Scenario 1: Production 400W, Consumption 300W

• 300W consumed directly
• 100W surplus injected into grid (lost without battery)
• Linky meter: 0 kWh purchased

Scenario 2: Production 400W, Consumption 600W

• 400W supplied by panel
• 200W supplied by grid
• Linky meter: 0.2 kWh purchased (during this hour)

Scenario 3: Production 200W (cloud), Consumption 300W

• 200W supplied by panel
• 100W supplied by grid
• Linky meter: 0.1 kWh purchased

No Outage, No Transition

The switching solar production ↔ grid is totally transparent:

• No latency
• No micro-outage
• No voltage variation
• No impact on sensitive devices

Your equipment doesn't "know" where the electricity comes from.

Production Monitoring (Optional)

Some kits include WiFi connected outlet or mobile application:

• Instantaneous production (W)
• Daily production (kWh)
• Historical production curves
• Estimated savings

Brands with monitoring: Sunology (Stream), Beem, Anker, Zendure. Brands without: most basic kits. Monitoring doesn't affect operation, it's purely informative.

Safety System: Decoupling Protection

Mandatory Decoupling Function

Each micro-inverter integrates certified decoupling protection DIN VDE 0126-1-1. This German standard (adopted in France) requires automatic production shutdown if the grid presents an anomaly.

Parameters monitored continuously (measured every 20 milliseconds):

Parameter	Normal range	Action if out of range
Voltage	184-264.5V	Cutoff <0.2 second
Frequency	47.5-50.6 Hz	Cutoff <0.2 second
Grid impedance	According to standard	Cutoff if anomaly
Grid presence	Continuous detection	Cutoff if absent

If any parameter goes outside the normal range, the micro-inverter cuts production instantly.

Behavior During Power Outage

What happens when the grid trips?

1. Micro-inverter detects grid absence (frequency = 0)
2. Production cutoff in <0.2 second (standard)
3. Panel stops injecting electricity
4. Impossible to produce as long as grid absent

Consequence: In case of sector outage, you lose:

• Grid electricity (normal)
• Electricity produced by panels (safety shutdown)

Even if the sun is shining, your panels do not produce during an outage. To remain powered during outages: consult our complete guide plug and play solar panel and power outage.

Why This Obligation?

Three safety reasons:

1. Enedis technician protection: Prevents electrocution during interventions on supposedly "dead" lines
2. Equipment protection: Avoids overvoltages and material damage during grid reconnection
3. User protection: Prevents abnormal voltage/frequency from damaging your devices

French law formally prohibits the injection of electricity onto the public grid during an outage. Decoupling protection guarantees this compliance automatically.

Automatic Restart

When the grid returns:

1. Micro-inverter detects grid presence
2. Verification of normal voltage/frequency
3. Automatic synchronization
4. Production resumption (30-60 seconds after grid return)

No manual intervention required. You have no button to press, nothing to reset.

Components of Plug and Play Kit

A complete ready-to-plug kit includes:

Component	Function	Guaranteed lifespan	Possible replacement
Monocrystalline panel	Captures solar light	25-30 years (80% power)	No (25-year warranty)
Integrated micro-inverter	DC→AC conversion + safety	10-25 years depending on brand	Yes but complex
AC cable	Connection to 230V outlet	25+ years	Yes (standard part)
Support structure	30-40° inclination	25+ years	Yes (aluminum)
MC4 connectors	Connection between panels (if 2+)	25+ years	Yes (solar standard)

Everything is pre-assembled at the factory. You receive a functional plug and play system. Only assembly required: attach panel to support (4 screws, 2 minutes).

No External Component Required

Unlike conventional installations, no additional equipment:

• ❌ No AC box
• ❌ No external inverter
• ❌ No electrical panel modification
• ❌ No dedicated differential protection
• ❌ No specific circuit breaker

The integrated micro-inverter includes all required protections.

Physical Installation in 3 Minutes

Installation Steps

1. Unfold support structure (30 seconds)

• Open foldable aluminum structure
• Adjust inclination angle (pre-defined notches)
• Summer: 30° / Winter: 40°

2. Attach panel to support (90 seconds)

• Place panel on structure
• Screw 4 attachments (screwdriver provided)
• Check stability

3. Plug into outlet (10 seconds)

• Unroll AC cable
• Plug socket into grounded wall outlet
• Micro-inverter LED lights up (green = active production)

Total duration: 2-3 minutes maximum. No electrical skills required.

Operation Verification

Micro-inverter LED indicates status:

• Solid green: normal production
• Flashing green: grid synchronization (30-60 sec after connection)
• Red: grid or panel anomaly
• Off: no solar light or panel not connected

If solid green LED: your installation is working correctly.

Conclusion

The operation of a plug and play panel relies on 4 automatic steps:

1. Light capture by monocrystalline cells
2. DC→AC conversion by integrated micro-inverter
3. Injection into network via domestic outlet
4. Priority consumption by your appliances

The system is totally autonomous. Decoupling protection guarantees safety by cutting production during grid anomalies. No user intervention required after initial connection.

Production starts instantly upon exposure to sun. Automatic shutdown at night and during sector outages.