As of: April 17, 2024 3:39 p.m
Operating balcony power plants becomes easier with Solar Package I. Some states and municipalities provide subsidies for the purchase of mini solar systems, which tenants can also use to generate their own electricity.
With balcony power plants – also known in the trade as mini PV, plug-in PV or plug-in solar device – tenants and apartment owners can produce their own solar power and use it directly in the household. In this way, they become somewhat independent and can actively contribute to climate protection – even without major investments. Compared to larger photovoltaic systems on house roofs, balcony power plants are relatively inexpensive. However, the bureaucratic hurdles to operate the devices were high until recently. This is set to change with Solar Package I, a legislative package on photovoltaic systems that is due to be passed in the Bundestag next week.
Solar package I simplifies registration of balcony power plants
The registration of balcony power plants was simplified as of April 1, 2024. The network operator no longer needs to be informed about the installation. Registration in the Federal Network Agency’s market master data register is sufficient. The registration itself has been simplified and is now limited to a few details.
Counters running backwards are temporarily permitted
Until now, the electricity meter was not allowed to turn backwards. Facility meters had to be converted or replaced.
The new law also provides for further simplifications. Up to 800 watts are permitted instead of the previous 600 watts of inverter power. In addition, running counters will be tolerated temporarily. The balcony power plants can now be put into operation immediately. Previously, old one-way meters had to be converted or new two-way meters had to be installed. In practice, however, reverse running usually only occurs in exceptional cases because the amount of electricity fed in is too small.
A Schuko socket will be sufficient in the future
A further simplification concerns the device plugs: balcony power plants will soon be officially allowed to be operated with conventional Schuko sockets. This aspect is regulated by the technical standards. The corresponding standard is currently being revised by the industry association VDE (Association for Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Information Technology). To date, the VDE standards still recommend special feed-in sockets (“Wieland sockets”). In practice, most devices are already operated with Schuko sockets.
Solar system for the balcony: Mobile and easy to install
Plug-in solar devices can be dismantled and taken with you when moving.
Plug-in solar devices can be mounted on balconies or terraces or set up without a permanent installation. The electricity generated can be used directly in the household and thus reduce your own electricity bill. The devices differ from photovoltaic systems on roofs in several ways: They are significantly smaller and designed so that even laypeople can install them. Technically speaking, balcony power plants are electrical household appliances and not systems.
If you move, the solar devices can be dismantled and taken with you without much effort. In contrast to photovoltaic systems for house roofs, they are only intended for your own consumption and not for feeding electricity into the grid.
How do balcony power plants work?
The commercially available devices usually consist of one or two solar modules and a so-called inverter. Depending on the provider, components for attachment are already included or must be ordered separately. After assembly or installation at a suitable location, the solar module is connected to the inverter. This converts the direct current that the module produces from sunlight into alternating current.
The system can be connected to a socket in the apartment or on the balcony using a cable. Devices that are connected to the household power grid, such as washing machines, computers and all devices that are in standby mode, now primarily use the solar power fed in.
How much do the devices cost and how much electricity do they produce?
With mini solar systems, household appliances such as washing machines or computers can be operated with self-produced electricity.
Cheap complete packages start at around 600 euros, while more expensive models can cost up to 1,200 euros. Experts assume that a household can produce around 10 to 20 percent of its own electricity with them. The electricity meter then simply runs slower. How much electricity is generated depends on the orientation of the system and the annual hours of sunshine in the region.
Is a balcony power plant worth it?
According to the Lower Saxony Consumer Center, plug-in solar devices are almost always worth it; depending on the location and usage behavior, it just takes a little longer for the purchase to pay off. An example: A typical plug-in solar module is approximately 1 by 1.70 meters in size and has an output of around 300 watts. If it is optimally aligned, it delivers around 200 to 300 kilowatt hours of electricity per year; two modules deliver twice as much electricity. With an output of 600 watts and an electricity price of 30 cents per kilowatt hour, you can save up to 180 euros annually. This means the purchase can pay off after just a few years. The devices are durable and can often be used for 20 years or more.
Funding programs for mini PV systems
There has been a uniform nationwide funding regulation for balcony power plants since the beginning of 2023 due to the abolition of VAT on the purchase of PV systems. In Lower Saxony, some cities and municipalities support the purchase of a balcony power plant, for example Göttingen grants tenants a subsidy of 180 euros, Lüneburg promotes it Devices with 30 percent of the purchase costs (currently only devices with Wieland plugs), the Oldenburg district with up to 250 euros. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania there is a subsidy of up to 500 euros – however, only tenants can currently apply for funding; the funds for owners have already been used up. There was a funding program in Schleswig-Holstein, but it was ended.
How secure are the devices?
According to consumer advice centers, the devices are generally very safe. The technology used is mature. If the inverters supplied are certified accordingly, the requirements that also apply to normal photovoltaic systems apply to them. Until the new product standard is published by the VDE, the seal of the German Society for Solar Energy eV (DGS), which has long since established a safety standard, provides guidance.
Problems with some inverter models
In the second half of 2023 it became known that an important component (relay) was missing from some inverter models from various manufacturers. Faulty devices were recalled and replaced by the providers. According to the Consumer Center, even with faulty devices there is practically no safety risk during normal operation.
Important: You should only ever connect a single plug-in solar device or inverter to a socket. Pairing multiple devices via a multiple socket would be dangerous.
Landlords cannot prohibit balcony power plants
In terms of tenancy law, the mini solar systems will in future be considered “privileged structural changes”. According to a draft law by the Federal Ministry of Justice, landlords could then only object to the installation if there are serious reasons. Homeowners’ associations (WEG) will also generally have to allow installation in the future. The devices must be installed storm-proof. For listed buildings, there may be additional requirements.
The consumer advice center and the HTW Berlin University of Applied Sciences provide answers to other important questions about the operation of plug-in solar devices.
Further information
4 Min
You can generate your own electricity with solar panels on the balcony. How exactly does this work? 4 mins
3 Min
The small photovoltaic systems are intended to reduce electricity costs in a climate-neutral manner. A Wallenhorst entrepreneur advises on the purchase. 3 mins
The most registered systems per capita are in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, followed by Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. more
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NDR Info | Economy | April 17, 2024 | 8:40 a.m