Hacker News: zombocomvibes

New comment by zombocomvibes in "Solar panels that plug into your wall"

zombocomvibes — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:03:07 +0000

In the US collective action is difficult given how compromised our political system is from regulatory capture and lobbying.

This is a nice grassroots technology that lets motivated individuals take action.

New comment by zombocomvibes in "Solar panels that plug into your wall"

zombocomvibes — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:59:53 +0000

I believe that frequency is also variable so you'd need to sample that too.

ERCOT frequencies have sagged when the grid was stressed.

New comment by zombocomvibes in "Solar panels that plug into your wall"

zombocomvibes — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 09:57:40 +0000

The inverter can sniff the grid power at frequent intervals to determine its voltage and phase.

It outputs at the same phase and frequency as the grid, and with a slightly higher voltage (think of a ball rolling down a slope from a higher voltage to lower voltage).

If the grid is down then it stops the inverter for a minimum safety period (some minutes iirc)