SmallSolar

Two-minute outlet check

By Mike YuPublished September 1, 2026

Six questions about where you'd plug in. It won't tell you how to wire anything — it tells you whether what you're planning is ordinary, worth a phone call to an electrician, or a bad idea. When in doubt it says ask an electrician, because that's what we'd do.

  1. 1. Is there an outlet outside, where the panel would be?
  2. 2. If it's outside, does it have a weatherproof cover?
  3. 3. Does it have test and reset buttons on the face?

    Why we ask: Those buttons mean it's a GFCI, which is what you want outdoors.

  4. 4. What else is normally plugged into outlets near it?
  5. 5. Would the cord have to go through a window or door?
  6. 6. How old is the building?

Pick one to carry on.

Sources

Every legal, numeric and safety claim on this page traces to one of these.

  1. UL Solutions, UL 3700 plug-in photovoltaic certification — accessed September 1, 2026