800 Watt CraftStrom Plug & Play Solar Kit

Generate Your Own Solar Power With the Craftstrom Solar “Ultra Light” 800 Watt Kit | Payback Time as little as 2.5 years in California and 4.7 years in Massachusetts and New York

Payback time depends your cost per kW/h.  2.5 years is based on an avoided electricity cost of $.60 per kWh, with a 5% annual cost increase.

• Designed for DIY or Handyman:  The 800 Watt Craftstrom Plug & Play Balcony Solar Kit is for people who want the benefits of solar power without purchasing a large rooftop system, signing a long-term solar agreement or making major permanent changes to their property.  It installs in one day and does not require permitting or interconnection agreements.  It is NEC compliant and UL 3700 compliant with double-redundant safety features designed in Austria.
• Our Craftstrom Ultra Light Premium Series Solar Panels weigh about as much as a gallon of milk (about 9 lbs), making setup much easier than with standard glass solar panels.  A 200 watt glass panels can weigh 20 lbs or more, and 400 – 450 watt glass panels are the size of a small door and weigh 50 pounds!
• Payback Time in as little as 2.5 years in California and Hawaii.  Payback time in less than 5 years in Maine, Massachusets and New York.  (Payback time depends your cost per kW/h.  2.5 years is based on an avoided electricity cost of $.60 per kWh, with a 5% annual cost increase.  Payback time at $0.30 per kWh is approx 4.7 years)

Instead of sending all solar production through a traditional rooftop-solar installation, the Craftstrom system uses compact solar panels, smart microinverters and real-time energy monitoring to help offset the electricity your home is already using.

It is an excellent entry-level system for homeowners, renters, condominium owners, apartment residents, tiny-home owners and anyone whose roof is shaded, unsuitable or unavailable for traditional solar.

The four-panel system provides 800 watts of total rated solar-panel capacity, making it larger than an entry-level balcony solar system while remaining portable and expandable.

What Comes With the 800 Watt Solar Kit?

Your system includes:

Four 200W Bifacial Solar Panels

The four panels provide a combined rated solar-panel capacity of 800 watts.

Bifacial solar panels can collect direct sunlight from the front of the panel while also capturing some reflected light reaching the rear.

Actual additional production from the rear of the panel depends on the mounting location, angle, spacing and reflectivity of the surface around the panels.

Two Smart Microinverters

The system uses two smart microinverters rated for up to 350 watts of AC output each.

The microinverters convert DC electricity generated by the solar panels into AC electricity for use by the home.

Smart PowerMeter

The Smart PowerMeter monitors electrical consumption and helps manage the system’s zero-export functionality.

Instead of designing the system around intentionally sending unused solar energy back to the public grid, the system is designed primarily to offset electricity being consumed within the home.

Connection Cables

The kit includes the inverter and AC connection cables needed for the system configuration.

Solar Monitoring App

Monitor solar generation and system operation from the app instead of guessing how much power your panels are producing.

What Is a Plug In Balcony Solar Kit?

A plug and play balcony solar kit is a compact solar-energy system designed to produce electricity close to where that electricity will be consumed.

The solar panels generate direct-current electricity from sunlight. Smart microinverters convert that electricity into alternating-current electricity compatible with the home. The Craftstrom Smart PowerMeter monitors household energy consumption and communicates with the system to balance solar production against the electricity being used inside the home.

Your appliances continue operating normally. The solar system simply helps supply part of the electricity they need during daylight hours, reducing the amount of electricity that must be purchased from the utility.

The system is not limited to a literal apartment balcony. Depending on sunlight, mounting requirements and property rules, panels may be positioned on a:

• Balcony
• Patio
• Deck
• Backyard
• Pergola
• Carport
• Shed
• Flat-roof area
• Ground-mounted solar stand

Panels must always be secured with mounting equipment appropriate for the location, weather and wind conditions.

How the Craftstrom Zero-Export System Works

The Smart PowerMeter measures how much electricity the home is consuming. The Craftstrom system then adjusts solar production based on that consumption.

For example, when the home is consuming 900 watts and sufficient sunlight is available, the solar system can supply a portion of that demand. When household consumption decreases, the system reduces its production to help prevent excess solar electricity from being sent onto the public utility grid.

Craftstrom describes this as zero-export solar. The manufacturer states that excess production is throttled at the inverter or directed to a compatible Craftstrom battery when storage is added.

The utility grid remains available whenever the house needs more electricity than the panels are producing. There is no interruption or switching required during normal operation.

How Does an 800 Watt Plug & Play Solar System Work?

The basic process is simple.

Sunlight reaches the solar panels.

The panels generate DC electricity.

The smart microinverters convert that DC electricity into AC electricity.

The electricity can then help supply electrical loads operating inside the home.

The Smart PowerMeter monitors power flow and communicates with the system to help regulate production.

If your house needs more electricity than the solar system is producing, the utility supplies the remaining electricity normally.

For example:

If your home is currently consuming 1,200 watts and your solar system is producing 600 watts, approximately 600 watts of demand remains for the utility to provide.

Your refrigerator, computer, television and other household loads do not need to be connected directly to the solar panels.

The solar system helps offset the electricity those loads are already consuming.

What Does “800 Watt Solar Kit” Actually Mean?

This is an important distinction.

The four included solar panels have a combined rated capacity of:

4 × 200 watts = 800 watts DC

The system uses:

2 × 350-watt smart microinverters

That means solar-panel wattage and maximum AC inverter output are not exactly the same measurement.

Solar panels are rated under standardized test conditions, but actual output changes throughout the day based on sunlight, temperature, panel orientation, shading and weather.

It is common for a solar array to have more rated panel capacity than instantaneous inverter output.

So when this is described as an 800 watt solar kit, that refers to the rated capacity of the solar-panel array.

How Much Electricity Can an 800 Watt Solar System Produce?

Solar production is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh.

An 800 watt solar array operating in strong sunlight for several hours can produce a meaningful amount of electricity each day.

Under favorable conditions, this system may produce approximately:

Up to 4 kWh per day

Up to 120 kWh per month

Up to approximately 1,440 kWh per year

These are production estimates, not guarantees.

Actual solar production depends on:

• Geographic location
• Number of peak sun hours
• Season
• Panel direction
• Panel angle
• Temperature
• Clouds
• Trees and building shade
• Dirt or snow on the panels
• Bifacial reflection
• Inverter efficiency
• Other normal system losses

Your monitoring app gives you the best answer because it shows what your particular solar system is actually producing.

What Can 800 Watts of Solar Power?

An 800 watt plug-in solar system is primarily designed to reduce electricity consumption from the utility while the panels are producing power.

Common daytime electrical loads may include:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Internet equipment
• Computers
• Televisions
• Lighting
• Fans
• Chargers
• Small electronics
• Standby household loads

The system doesn’t need to run one particular appliance.

Instead, its production contributes toward the electricity your home is already consuming.

That makes an 800 watt system particularly useful for reducing your home’s continuous daytime electrical load.

What Is Zero-Export Solar?

Zero-export solar is a system designed to limit or prevent intentional excess solar production from being exported back through the utility meter to the public electrical grid.

The Smart PowerMeter measures power flow in the home.

The solar system can then adjust production based on household electrical demand.

This is different from a traditional net-metered rooftop solar system, which may intentionally export excess solar electricity to the utility grid.

The goal of this system is simpler:

Produce solar electricity for your own household consumption and reduce how much electricity you purchase from the grid.

Electrical codes, utility policies, permitting requirements, landlord rules and HOA requirements can vary by location. Customers should confirm requirements that apply to their specific property and installation.

Why Use Bifacial Solar Panels?

Bifacial panels can collect solar energy from both sides of the panel.

The front receives direct sunlight.

The rear can capture reflected sunlight coming from surfaces underneath or behind the panel.

This can be particularly helpful when panels are installed above lighter or reflective surfaces such as:

• Concrete
• Light roofing
• Gravel
• Certain decks
• Snow-covered ground

Bifacial production varies substantially based on installation conditions, so additional rear-side production should be considered a potential benefit rather than a guaranteed percentage increase.

Where Can an 800 Watt Plug & Play Solar Kit Be Installed?

One advantage of a smaller modular solar system is flexibility.

Depending on the property, mounting equipment and local requirements, applications may include:

• Backyard solar
• Patio solar
• Deck installations
• Ground-mounted solar
• Certain balcony installations
• Small residential solar installations
• Rental properties where permitted by the property owner
• Workshops or accessory buildings with an appropriate electrical configuration

The most important consideration is sunlight.

Panels should be positioned where they receive strong solar exposure with as little shading as reasonably possible.

Is This a Balcony Solar Kit?

Yes, this type of compact solar system is often called balcony solar, plug-in solar, plug & play solar, or a balcony power system.

But you do not need a balcony to use one.

Many customers have better solar exposure in a yard, on a patio or in another sunny area of the property.

The term “balcony solar” describes the category more than it limits where the equipment can be used.

Plug & Play Solar vs. Traditional Rooftop Solar

Traditional residential rooftop solar can be an excellent option, but it usually involves a much larger project.

A conventional rooftop system may involve:

• Roof-mounted arrays
• Large upfront costs
• Professional installation
• Electrical design
• Utility interconnection
• Permitting
• Long-term attachment to the property

A small modular plug & play solar kit takes a different approach.

It is designed for people who want to begin with a smaller amount of solar generation and potentially expand later.

For many customers, the biggest advantage isn’t trying to replace every kilowatt-hour they use.

It’s simply starting to produce some of their own electricity.

Can I Expand the System Later?

Yes.

One of the biggest advantages of a modular solar system is the ability to start smaller.

If 800 watts is a good starting point but you later want additional solar production, On Demand Instant Solar also offers larger configurations including:

1200 Watt Plug & Play Solar

1600 Watt Plug & Play Solar

2000 Watt Plug & Play Solar

Which Size Plug & Play Solar Kit Should I Buy?

800 Watt

Best for someone who wants an entry-level system, has limited panel space or wants to start small.

1200 Watt

Provides 50% more rated solar-panel capacity than the 800W system and may be better for homes with larger daytime electrical loads.

1600 Watt

A larger system for customers who have the available solar exposure and want substantially more generation.

2000 Watt

The largest standard configuration for customers looking to offset a greater portion of their daytime electricity consumption.

Installation and Setup

The exact installation process depends on your system configuration and property.

On Demand Instant Solar has already created a detailed CraftStrom Plug-In Solar Installation Guide based on actual setup experience and customer support.

Read the CraftStrom Plug & Play Solar Installation Guide

The installation guide should remain a separate informational page rather than duplicating all of those instructions on the product page.

This gives Google two strong related pages:

The product page targets purchasing intent.

The installation guide targets informational and setup searches.

Each page should link to the other.

Why Buy Your CraftStrom Solar Kit From On Demand Instant Solar?

Buying solar equipment online shouldn’t mean figuring everything out by yourself.

On Demand Instant Solar provides customers with access to plug & play solar equipment along with help choosing, configuring and understanding the system.

Free Shipping

This kit includes free shipping within the continental United States.

Help Choosing the Right System

Not sure whether you need 800W, 1200W, 1600W or 2000W?

Contact us before ordering.

We can help you compare the systems based on your available space and what you’re trying to accomplish.

Installation Resources

Use our installation guides and product resources to understand your equipment before and during setup.

Expansion Options

Start with the system that makes sense today and explore additional solar capacity or compatible options later.

Real People to Talk To

Sometimes the easiest way to understand a solar product is to talk to someone who knows the equipment.

If you have a question, contact On Demand Instant Solar before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 800 Watt Plug & Play Solar Kit

How many solar panels come with the 800 watt kit?

The system includes four 200-watt bifacial solar panels for 800 watts of total rated DC solar-panel capacity.

How much electricity will an 800 watt solar system produce per day?

Under favorable conditions, production may reach approximately 4 kWh per day. Actual production varies based on sunlight, location, season, panel orientation, temperature, shading and other environmental factors.

Is an 800 watt solar system enough for a house?

An 800 watt solar system is generally not intended to provide all of the electricity used by an entire house. Instead, it can help offset a portion of normal daytime household electrical consumption.

What appliances can 800 watts of solar help power?

Solar production contributes toward whatever electrical loads are operating inside the home. That may include refrigerators, computers, televisions, lighting, networking equipment, fans, chargers and other normal household loads.

Does an 800 watt solar kit produce 800 watts all day?

No. The 800-watt rating refers to the combined rated DC capacity of the solar panels. Actual instantaneous production changes throughout the day with sunlight, temperature, weather, shading and panel orientation.

What are bifacial solar panels?

Bifacial solar panels can generate electricity from sunlight reaching the front of the panel and may also capture reflected light reaching the rear.

What is zero-export solar?

Zero-export solar is designed to regulate generation so solar electricity is primarily consumed by electrical loads within the property rather than intentionally exported to the public grid.

Can renters use plug & play solar?

Potentially. A smaller modular system may be attractive to renters because it is different from a permanent rooftop array. However, renters should obtain any required property-owner approval and verify applicable electrical, building and utility requirements.

Can I add more solar panels later?

The CraftStrom system is modular and larger system configurations are available. Contact On Demand Instant Solar before adding equipment to make sure the components and electrical configuration are compatible.

Does this solar system work during a power outage?

Do not assume a grid-interactive solar system will continue providing electricity during an outage. Backup operation requires equipment specifically designed and configured for backup power. Contact On Demand Instant Solar if outage protection is one of your goals.

Can I add a battery?

Battery and expansion options may be available depending on system configuration. Contact On Demand Instant Solar for current compatibility before ordering a battery.

Do I need a professional electrician?

Electrical requirements depend on the installation and local rules. Work inside an electrical panel should be handled by a qualified professional.

How do I monitor solar production?

The system includes app-based monitoring so you can see system production and operation.

How do I know if the 800 watt kit is the right size?

The 800W system is an excellent starting point for customers with smaller daytime electrical loads, limited panel space or those who simply want to begin with a smaller solar investment. Customers wanting more production should compare the 1200W, 1600W and 2000W systems.

Ready to Start Producing Your Own Solar Electricity?

You don’t have to begin with an enormous rooftop solar project.

Start with 800 watts.

See what your panels produce.

Monitor your electricity.

And expand your solar system when it makes sense for you.

CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug & Play Solar Kit

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