Balcony Solar

This is the first episode in a series about solar energy, and we're starting really small. In Germany, Gwen learned about these compact personal solar kits you can install yourself -- right out of the box. There, they call it balkonkraftwerk, or balcony solar. Of course she had to buy one when she got back from Europe and try it out on her roof in Fairbanks. But is the grid ready for this kind of DIY power generation? People: Mariana Low, Alaska Center for Energy and Power; Dan McIntosh, Golden Valley Electric Association Places: Germany; Fairbanks, Alaska Technology/Concepts: Origins of solar panels, photovoltaics, Solar One house, balcony solar, plug-in solar Closing the Gap is hosted by Gwen Holdmann and edited by Jennifer Pemberton. This episode was produced by Liz Smith. Music is from Blue Dot Sessions.