Make the energy transition yourself: With a balcony power plant, you can generate electricity yourself on your patio or balcony. It’s easy, reduces costs, protects the environment – and is pretty cool.
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Generate electricity on the balcony
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Electricity prices are rising to dizzying heights, with no end in sight for the time being. You can whine and complain – or become a generator yourself. With their own small power plant, tenants can also turn their balcony or terrace into an electricity factory for little money. Without contracts and without additional electricity meters – you can simply plug a balcony power plant into the socket. We explain how it works, what options you have and what you should pay attention to.
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Balcony power plant – what is that exactly?
A balcony power plant is exactly what the name suggests: a small, private power plant that takes up little space and fits on the balcony or terrace. Photovoltaic modules are used here, which can often be easily attached to the railing or the facade. So no usable space is lost. The power of the small energy generators is usually between 150 and 600 watts.
With the balcony power plant, the PV modules (usually one or two) are then fed directly into the household power circuit with an inverter via a Schuko socket. Quite simply with the plug-and-play principle. The inverter is important because the solar system produces direct current, which first has to be converted into alternating current with the right frequency for the home network.
A balcony power plant is of particular interest to tenants for whom a flat installation of solar panels on the entire house roof is out of the question. Because they can use it to cover part of their electricity costs in an uncomplicated way. While the legal regulation for such systems used to be somewhat unclear, private power generation in this way is now completely legal under certain conditions. There are a few important things to note though.
Balcony power plant – you need to know that:
The weight and equipment of the systems can vary greatly
: Before you buy, you should definitely check whether you can easily load your balcony with the weight of the new system. Most of the time this is not a problem, but caution is advised. Also to avoid damage to the railing or the facade.
Electricity must be consumed immediately
: A balcony power station does not store any electricity and is particularly suitable for supplying chronic consumers in the domestic circuit. In other words, devices with constant energy consumption such as the refrigerator or your router. Because the balcony power plant only supplies electricity during the day, it can also be used to supply the PC in the home office or an air conditioner.
No compensation for overproduction
: If you generate more electricity with your balcony power station than you consume at home, then the excess is fed into the grid – and that’s it. You will not be paid for this, the amounts of electricity are too small for that. However, it is not often that a balcony power plant produces more electricity than the household consumes. Effectively, as you have to imagine, your own electricity meter simply runs a little slower.
Power outage also affects the balcony power plant
: If the power goes out, you can no longer easily use the balcony power plant. The inverter has to be based on the mains frequency of your home circuit in order to be able to work.
All components must be weatherproof
: Actually quite logical. The power plant must withstand wind, weather and fluctuating temperatures without being affected.
What are the costs associated with a balcony power plant?
Rising energy prices are currently making it particularly tempting to break away from the dependency on electricity suppliers at least a little with private power generation. A single solar module with inverter is available from 400 euros, but ready-to-use balcony power plants with two or more modules can also cost 1,200 euros and more. There are also low installation costs.
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It can take one to two years for these costs to be recouped, i.e. for the system to pay for itself – depending on solar radiation and electricity costs. However, if properly installed, the system should continue to generate electricity reliably for many years to come. Manufacturers generally give a performance guarantee of 25 years for new photovoltaic modules – so the installation can really be worthwhile.
Important: Inform landlords, network operators and the Federal Network Agency
Before you grab your tool kit and start installing your power plant, you as a tenant must inform both your landlord and the grid operator. The good news: In most cases, the landlord is not allowed to prohibit you from assembling. However, this requires professional installation and protection of the appearance of the building: this must not be impaired by the balcony power plant. Just last year, the district court in Stuttgart ruled in favor of a tenant who wanted to operate a balcony power plant (reference number 37 C 2283/20). It is also important that the PV system can be dismantled without damaging the building and that VDE standards are observed.
You must also inform your local network operator, who will then replace your Ferraris meter if one is in use (and does not have a backstop). Only analog meters with backflow protection, digital electricity meters (bidirectional meters or those with backflow protection) and smart meters are suitable for balcony power plants. Many network operators now allow a simplified registration process that takes little time. Tip: Just call and ask. Although the online forms are usually simply structured, they are sometimes difficult to find on the network operator’s website. Google often leads to the goal faster than sifting through the operator’s website.
You must also inform the Federal Network Agency about your project. An entry is then made there in the so-called market master data register. This is free of charge and quite uncomplicated: The report does not even have to be made in person and can therefore also be carried out by an electrician, for example. Failure to register will result in a fine.
This is how you connect the balcony power plant to the domestic power grid
You can connect a balcony power station to your power grid in three ways: with the normal Schuko plug, with a Wieland socket or with a permanent connection. Some network operators do not like the connection via Schuko plug, but from a technical point of view there is actually nothing to be said against it. A Wieland socket must first be installed by an electrician, it is particularly safe and meets various DIN standards. The permanent connection as the third variant is usually not worthwhile for balcony power plants.
Plug & Play balcony power plant – these are popular offers
If you don’t want to collect the components for your balcony power plant yourself, you can also buy a ready-made system. After installation, you can plug it directly into the socket. A small selection of what is now quite extensive on offer (partly difficult availability):
People’s energy – mini solar system 660Wp
View mini solar system 660Wp on Amazon
Power: 650 watts
Scope of delivery: 2 PV modules, Envertech inverter EVT560, 2 universal stands
Mounting: upright or lying down, mounting material included
Guarantee: 12-year product guarantee, 25-year performance guarantee
Price: around 1200 euros
Priwatt – PriBasic Duo
View the Priwatt priBasic Duo
Power: 600 watts
Scope of delivery: 2 PV modules, inverter with holder, cable ties
Installation: With elevation on balcony railings, on the roof or on the facade
Guarantee: 10 years on system, 25 years performance guarantee on modules
Price: around 900 euros
JWS – Solar Set solar system TSUN
View the JWS Solar Set TSUN solar system
Power: 330 watts
Scope of delivery: 1 PV module, micro inverter TSUN M350
Mounting: Supplied without bracket
Guarantee: 10 years on system, 25 years performance guarantee on modules
Price: around 600 euros
Alpha Solar
– 340Wp QJ Solar
See Alpha Solar 340Wp QJ Solar
Power: 340 watts
Scope of delivery: 1 PV module, inverter, bracket
Installation: Elevation, facade, roofs, balcony railings
Guarantee: 12 years on inverters, 25 years performance guarantee for modules
Price: under 500 euros
CG Camper Gold – PV 760
View CG Camper Gold PV 760
Power: 760 watts
Scope of delivery: 2 PV modules, inverter, bracket
Assembly: elevation
Guarantee: Product guarantee: 12 years, performance guarantee: 25 years
Price: between 1160 and 1420 euros
Low availability and long waiting times
Sometimes, as with many PV products, balcony power plants are currently experiencing delivery problems and, in some cases, longer waiting times. This is due to empty warehouses, exploding demand and chronically poor delivery conditions due to the Corona crisis. Interested parties must therefore bring a little patience. It is also advisable to consider several providers and to make compromises if necessary. It could take a while before delivery times return to normal.