Size, price, location, ask landlord
Balcony power plants usually consist of solar modules that are around one meter high and 1.70 meters long. They are around three centimeters thick. The devices are available with one or two modules, and the inverter ensures that no more than the permitted maximum wattage can be fed in, even if two panels with a nominal output of 450 watts each are combined. The prices for plug-in solar systems have risen sharply since the start of the war in Ukraine. Cheap 300-watt systems cost around 400 euros, and for 600 watts you have to pay 600 euros or more. Tip: Don’t forget to check which fastening materials are included.
“According to the current rules, a balcony power station may not be connected to a conventional household socket. There are two options: A connection is either permitted using a power plug device, for which a special power socket must be available, or a qualified electrician must wire the balcony power station directly,” the VDE explains in response to MDR’s query about installation. If a power socket required for balcony power stations is available, the association says that installation can also be carried out by laypeople up to a feed-in power of 600 watts, otherwise only a qualified electrician may do this.
Danger
“For a device with 800 watts of feed-in power, it is currently still necessary for a qualified electrician to report the commissioning to the grid operator,” explains the Association for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies (VDE) in response to an MDR query.
A balcony power plant only makes sense if there is enough sun. A south-facing balcony is ideal, and if it faces east or west, it is also worth buying, but not if it faces north. However, before installation can begin, the landlord must agree. If the apartment belongs to a community of owners, the majority of the owners must agree. Otherwise, there is always the option of setting up the mini solar system on the balcony. In any case, the size and condition of the balcony and system should be checked in advance.
One thing is important in any case: the system (an inverter) must never be connected to a multiple distribution socket. Reason: This would pose a risk of overheating and, in the worst case, a fire.
Tip It is most efficient if energy is used when it is generated. For this purpose, appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines can be connected to the power grid using a timer when no one is at home, for example in the middle of the day or in the afternoon.
