2024-02-26 10:57:10
With balcony power plants, tenants can in theory become somewhat independent of high electricity prices by generating part of their own energy. But in practice the project sometimes fails – for example due to uncertainties. It is therefore worth finding out about the new and old rules.
What will change for balcony power plants in 2024?
Not only should registration be easier, the permitted power will also increase from 600 to 800 watts. A bidirectional meter or a backstop on the electricity meter is still mandatory. If the draft law is successful, running counters should be allowed on a temporary basis in the future. It is also planned to include balcony power plants in the catalog of privileged measures so that tenants are entitled to operate a solar power plant. The draft law “to facilitate the use of plug-in solar devices” is currently being examined.
How do balcony power plants work?
The mini solar systems can be mounted on balconies or terraces and, compared to large PV systems, can also be installed by laypeople. Technically speaking, these are electrical household appliances and not systems.
The balcony power plants consist of a few solar modules and an inverter. This converts direct current into alternating current and the power plant is connected to a socket in the apartment. Devices that are connected to the household power network ultimately primarily use the electricity fed into them. When moving, the device can easily be dismantled and taken with you.
How many watts are allowed for plug-in solar devices?
Currently 600 watts are allowed. If the law goes through, 800 watts will be possible. According to the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center, the background to the limit is that “with these low connected loads, it is possible to connect to a socket safely because the cables are already appropriately secured”.
What is important here is not how much energy is generated, but rather how much is fed in. As a rule, 800 watt inverters are used, which are throttled to 600 watts. If the new law comes into force, they can be de-throttled to 800 watts via the “over-the-air update”.
If the mini solar system exceeds the watt limit, registration will be more difficult. A craftsman then has to install the balcony power plant.
Does the mini PV system require approval from the landlord?
Yes. When asked by German Environmental Aid, it is still a problem that landlords, property owners’ associations and property management oppose the installation of mini-PV systems every day. The aim of the change in the law is to counteract this.
What does a balcony power plant really bring?
Electricity can be saved with a PV system. How much, and whether it is financially worthwhile, usually depends on factors such as the orientation of the system, the proportion of self-consumption and the acquisition costs.
A calculation: The average electricity price is currently 25 cents for a kilowatt hour of electricity. At 600 kilowatt hours per year – which is basically possible under good conditions and a 600 watt system – consumers save 150 euros per year. Balcony power plants are also very durable, lasting up to 30 years, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center. However, individual components, such as the inverter, usually need to be replaced after around 15 years. In summary, a mini solar system with a purchase price of around 300 to 1000 euros is worth it after just two to seven years.
But what do good conditions mean? The balcony power plant should face south and, ideally, diagonally upwards. The peak power of the modules should be over 600 watts, and shaded areas should be avoided throughout the day.
What are the disadvantages of a balcony power plant?
The bureaucratic hurdles for operating a balcony power plant are still high. According to the current legal situation, anyone who also has a one-way meter must have an electricity meter with a backstop or a bidirectional meter installed.
In comparison to the large PV system on the roof, you do not receive any feed-in tariff for the mini PV system on the balcony, as comparatively little electricity is generated and flows into the public grid. A home storage system is also generally not worthwhile for mini solar systems. It is therefore important that as much of the electricity generated is used directly. So it’s best to cook during the day, use the computer or washing machine. In practice, however, it is hardly feasible to use up all of the solar power when it is generated.
Overall, it is important to calculate whether the investment makes sense before making a purchase.
How safe are balcony power plants?
Balcony power plants are fundamentally safe. When buying, it is worth looking for the seal of the German Solar Energy Society. Inverters should be certified accordingly and then meet the requirements set for normal PV systems.
In practice, “not a single case is known in which defective devices have caused damage,” says the NRW consumer advice center. And the German Environmental Aid also reports: “Within the legal minimum limit, the energy generated is not enough to overload a standard electrical installation.”
It is important to only plug one inverter into a socket: coupling it via a multiple socket would be dangerous. The balcony power plant should also be installed in a storm-proof manner.
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