Prevent circuit overload with 120V balcony solar
Virginia resident here, planning for the balcony solar law that goes into effect 1/1/2027. Will allow 1200W 120V solar.
I understand a safety concern with balcony solar is that if the 120V microinverter is not installed on a dedicated circuit, then there is a risk of overloading the circuit wiring without tripping the panel breaker. For instance, you could have a receptacle on a 20 amp circuit drawing 25 amps, with the solar providing 10 amps, the circuit breaker would only see 15 amps and not trip.
In my situation I have a perfectly located outdoor outlet under a covered porch to plug in my 120V microinverter. However, that outlet shares a 20 amp circuit with 4 other porch outlets and the porch lighting.
I could run a new dedicated 120V 20amp circuit for the solar install, but that would require inside sheetrock removal on the basement ceiling and wall and added cost (finished basement, panel is on the opposite side of the house).
So I was wondering... is there any code-compliant option to install an inline 20amp breaker in the circuit between the solar outlet and the other outlets to ensure that wiring never carries more than the rated 20 amps?
Thanks!