Can energy independence be achieved with a balcony panel? Obviously not, but some savings can still be had. Here are the strengths and weaknesses, with an eye to tax deductions
Save on bills? Many are thinking about putting solar panels to reduce the increasingly high costs of invoices that arrive inexorably in the mailbox. And who can’t do it because they don’t live in an independent house and have to submit to the decisions of the condominium? The solution, at least partial, exists, and is represented by balcony solar panels.
Why partial? A single photovoltaic panel for balcony, even intuitively, it is not able to produce all the electricity necessary for the needs of a family or an office. His contribution, however, to lighten the bill can be interesting. Let’s see why.
Balcony solar panels, how do they work?
A little balcony photovoltaic system is composed of one (or more) panel able to “catch” solar radiation through the silicon cells of which it is composed.
These cells absorb photons, generating direct current. The panels are connected to a invertera device that transforms direct current into alternating and makes it available to be used by any household appliance.
How much energy do balcony solar panels produce?
Power is measured in Wpunit indicating i Wthat you picco (maximums, therefore) that can be generated by the single solar panel.
Typically a photovoltaic panel for balcony has a rated power of 300 Wp or a little more, and manages to produce approx 400 kWh nodded.
Each panel measures (more or less, depending on the manufacturer) 1.70 x 1 meter, and weighs about twenty kg. Having a sufficiently long balcony it could be installed threereaching an annual production of approx 1200 kWh. Overcoming, however, the 800 W of power would be lost the bureaucratic simplifications which we will talk about later, and would fall into the installation of a common photovoltaic system.
The average electricity consumption of an Italian family is estimated on 2700 kWh per year. Having enough physical space to install due panels (assuming a theoretical yield of 400 kWh x 2 panels) could cover approximately 25% of the annual energy requirement.
The problem is that the yield we have mentioned means in ideal conditions, which are exposure to the south, as many hours of sunshine as possible per day and an inclination of at least 65 ° with respect to the incidence of sunlight.
On the balcony of an apartment building, even if well exposed, it is difficult to obtain constant solar radiation throughout the day. For this reason, i actual returns are lower compared to what some companies that are a little too “optimistic” promise.
Solar panels for balconies: permits, authorizations and various bureaucracy
Following the conversion law no. 34/2022 of Law Decree n. 17/2022, the installation of photovoltaic systems has been considerably simplified. In particular, they are considered ordinary maintenance interventions not subject to permits, authorizations or “administrative acts of consent”.
As for the historical centres e le areas subject to constraints, installation of panels integrated into the roofs that are not visible from external public spaces and panoramic viewpoints is liberalized.
Dwelling in a condominiumit is necessary to make a communication regarding the installation of the panels, in accordance with the requirements of art. 1122 bis of the Civil Code. Much better, in this regard, to obtain an authorization resolution from the assembly. The reason? Some condominiums could have complaints about the possible aesthetic “invasiveness” of the panels on the facade. Attention also to any landscape restrictions introduced by the single Municipality in certain areas.
As regards the installed power, up to 350W (and therefore, a single panel) it is only necessary to make a declaration to the network manager (the so-called Unica Arera Communication). For systems from 350 to 800 Win addition to the communication to the operator, the declaration of conformity regarding the system and its wiring diagram is also essential.
It is essential to ask the manager to install a bidirectional counterso that the energy fed into the grid is not counted (paradoxically…) as energy consumed, and therefore billed as a cost.
The systems up to 350 W they are also called “plug & play”And are the simplest to use: it is sufficient to mount them and connect them directly to an electrical socket that has its own dedicated line, with relative circuit breaker, inside the home electrical system.
If the implant is maintained below 800 Wany extra energy produced is fed into the national grid, but without being entitled to any remuneration (as occurs in larger photovoltaic systems).
Cost of balcony photovoltaic panels and tax deductions
The cost of a single panel depends on the quality of the module. Typically, prices range from as low as 300 € to a maximum of 600 €.
As for incentives, you can access the tax deduction of 50% of the expenses incurred, recoverable in 10 years through the tax return, or (some operators do it) through the transfer of the 50% credit to the person who installs the panels, with a discount on the invoice.
Pros and cons of balcony photovoltaic panels. How much you save
The installation of one or more balcony solar panels (or railing if you prefer) is certainly useful for save on your billprovided that some points are taken into consideration.
If you do not want to use balcony panels, let alone a photovoltaic system for the terrace, the alternative to save on your bill consists in change energy supplier.
The reason? Several operators propose offers at a fixed price that allow you to defend yourself from the continuous increases. And, in any case, among the hundreds of rates available there is certainly one that meets your family consumption needs.
How to choose the right rate, if you are not an expert in the sector? Simply by relying on a comparator, such as Tiscali Tagliacosti, which compares the offers of the best operators. Waste of time? None. And the advice is free and without obligation.
I merits to have a little one balcony photovoltaic system they are, therefore:
- – Reduction of consumption: a small saving on the bill is, in fact, and is around 90 € / year per panel. Obviously in optimal conditions
- – Small size: a single panel takes up very little space
- – Permissions required: none
- – Portability: some panels are even smaller (but also less powerful) than those mentioned in this article, and can be taken with you on a camping trip, boat, second home etc. TO this address you can see what the market offers.
The disadvantages instead they are:
- – Poor autonomy: is given by the very nature of the system, which for obvious reasons can only cover a small part of the domestic energy needs
- – Does not guarantee self-sufficiency, which instead would be ensured by a photovoltaic system from the terrace with storage (the so-called systems off-gridcompletely disconnected from the energy supplier)
- – It takes years to return from the investment: a very rough estimate is from 5 to 10. The variables involved are: how much energy produced is consumed in relation to that coming from the grid (the greater the self-consumptionthe better), the orientation of the panels, the amount of hours of sunshine per day they receive, the quality of the panels.
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