Balcony solar systems are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. More than 600,000 balcony solar systems have been installed.

Rooftop solar power has been present in Germany since 2000. The government has a policy to encourage people to install solar power. Solar power installation equipment is also subsidized. Meanwhile, solar power installed on the balcony is simpler and many people choose it.

Compared to the roof, the balcony solar power solution is similar but smaller. Instead of an array of panels, balcony solar power has only a maximum of 2 panels, connected directly to the power outlet. The output of balcony solar power is also much lower, only 1/10 compared to the rooftop system. The biggest advantage of balcony solar power is that it is easy for people to use.

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Balconies of many houses have solar panels installed. Photo: EN

Unlike rooftop systems that require professional installation, balcony solar systems include panels and installation instructions that anyone can assemble at home.

Balcony solar panels are suitable for homes that do not have access to rooftop solar. Even renters can benefit from this solution as the cost is subsidised and can be taken with them when moving to another home. Apartments can also have solar panels on their balconies. As balconies get larger, Germany is now considering allowing installations of four panels.

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Benefits of balcony solar power. Photo: EN

The European Union is encouraging the new technology, but Belgium is concerned about the impact of too many energy sources on the grid. Germany, on the other hand, is not so concerned. Experts say the output from these systems is so small that the impact on the grid is negligible.

According to preliminary calculations, Germany has about 200 MW of balcony solar installed; compared to 16 GW of capacity from the residential rooftop area.

Jan Osenberg, policy advisor, said that balcony solar systems help people save electricity, they feel like they are at the forefront of the energy transition and support this transition.

The technology will pay for itself in about three years, Osenberg said. With a lifespan of about 20 years, it's a very good investment.

The size and capacity of balcony solar systems are also gradually increasing. From January to June 2024, about 220,000 balcony solar power units with a total capacity of 200 MW were registered, averaging about 900W of capacity per unit. This is up from an average of about 800W last year.

(According to EN)