After a few months of delay, the solar package was finally approved with the votes of the traffic light government. This will make things easier for balcony power plants. However, some crucial demands are still open.
New rules for balcony power plants decided
The first relief for balcony power plants was implemented as early as April 1, 2024. From this date, registration in the market master data register has been greatly simplified. Now the traffic light government has decided on the solar package and there Further innovations come into play:
Registering the balcony power plant with the network operator is no longer necessary. The network operator is informed about the registration with the market master data register. An old electricity meter can be turned down until it is replaced by the network operator. This eliminates the need to wait for the balcony power plant to go into operation if an old Ferrari meter is installed. However, a smart meter will not be mandatory. 800 watt inverters and solar modules up to 2,000 watts can be used.
These are the three reliefs that the federal government can implement itself (source: Bundestag (PDF document)). They only apply if you feed your excess energy into the grid free of charge. If you receive compensation for the energy you feed in, other requirements apply to you. The balcony power plant must then be registered like a large photovoltaic system.
The following is still open:
Rules for the use of the Schuko plug remain unclear until the VDE and DKE present new regulations.
This change is in the standardization process at the Association of Electrical Engineering Electronics Information Technology (VDE) and the German Commission for Electrical Engineering Electronics Information Technology (DKE). It is unclear whether this will actually happen. Nothing has been decided here yet. But there should be clarity in 2024.
Determining balcony power plants as a privileged measure is also still an open question. The case is currently in the Legal Affairs Committee of the Bundestag and must be decided by Parliament. At the same time, the first legal proceedings are already underway to clarify what exactly will be allowed (source: Stuttgarter Nachrichten).
EPP Solar 860 watt balcony power plant with Deye inverter
The price may be higher now. Price as of April 27, 2024 6:59 p.m
This is what you need to know about balcony power plants:
A lot of things have not yet been clarified in detail
The good news is that after months of delays, the solar package has finally been approved. Now all that remains is to set a date for when it will come into force. Some details are still open, but the first big step has been taken. We will continue to keep you up to date.