Balcony solar power, a successful model in Germany

In Germany, instead of rooftop solar, people are choosing to install it on their balconies.

Waltraud Berg, a retiree, recently bought and installed a solar panel on the balcony of her south-facing apartment in Berlin, Germany. “Even an old person like me can generate energy. No need to drill, hammer or bother with installation, just hang it on the balcony like clothes,” she said.

Each solar panel generates just enough electricity to charge a laptop or run a small refrigerator. Across Germany, balcony solar panels are making a quiet transformation, bringing the green revolution into homes without requiring large investments or complicated installations.

According to data from the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), the number of household balcony solar panels in Germany exceeded 700,000 as of October 2, doubling since the beginning of 2024. Thereby increasing the installed capacity of balcony solar PV to 600 MW.

In the third quarter of this year, around 140,000 balcony solar panels were registered. Balcony solar represents only a small fraction of Germany’s total solar capacity (83GW by the end of 2023). However, these panels show that many small changes can lead to a green future.

solar panel balcony 2.jpg — Balcony solar power installation boom in Germany. Photo: DW

Even installing solar panels on every balcony in the country would only meet 1% of the country’s overall energy needs, says Peter Stratmann, head of renewable energy at Germany’s Federal Grid Agency. But many Germans have come to realize that the energy and environmental crisis is not solved by a single solution, but by countless small initiatives and solutions.

“Solar panels are a concrete example for people to see the energy transition in a concrete way,” said Helena Holenweger, who installed solar panels on her garage roof. “It’s not a big, abstract issue, but it’s part of everyday life for every family.”

The kit includes two solar panels, cables and an inverter. The panels are installed in the system and connected to the inverter by cables. Solar power is converted from direct current to alternating current, which is supplied to household electrical outlets.

Compared to rooftop solar systems, this balcony alternative has several advantages such as easy installation, compact size, and portability when moving house. Not only homeowners but also tenants can install it. The German government has simplified regulations, making it easy for people to install these systems without requiring a permit.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, balcony solar power is a financially viable solution for many residents. Berlin authorities support up to 50% of the installation costs. By generating their own clean energy, residents save on electricity costs, reduce their dependence on the grid, and thereby reduce carbon emissions.

The deployment of rooftop solar fits into Germany’s ambitious vision. The country aims to have 80% renewable energy in its total electricity consumption by 2030. Renewable energy accounted for 57% of the country’s electricity production in the first half of this year.

According to experts, there are still some problems that other countries cannot apply to develop balcony solar power like in Germany, such as concerns about the stability of the power grid, and the inability to control the power source capacity. In addition, the capacity is small compared to rooftop solar power, so people do not find it useful.

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