Balcony power - Everything you need to know

If you are looking for an easy way to reduce your energy consumption while helping to protect the environment, then a balcony power station could be just the thing for you.

A balcony power plant is a small PV system for generating electricity that is installed on a balcony, flat roof or in the garden. These are usually small solar panels that generate electricity by converting solar energy. The balcony power plant can help reduce the energy consumption of apartments or houses while saving on electricity costs. It is important to note that the size and power of a balcony power plant are limited and it is usually not able to cover the entire electricity needs of an apartment or house. However, it is a good first step to promote the use of renewable energies and contribute to protecting the environment. Why should I buy a balcony power plant? 10 reasons for a balcony power plant Reducing electricity costs : A balcony power plant can help reduce electricity consumption and thus lower monthly electricity costs. Environmentally friendly : Using renewable energy sources such as solar energy is an important step in protecting the environment. Independence : A balcony power plant can make you more independent from public power grids. Investment in the future : The use of renewable energies will become increasingly important in the future and a balcony power plant is an investment in the future. Increase home value : A balcony power plant can increase the value of a property. No noise pollution : Unlike conventional power plants, balcony power plants do not generate any noise. Easy to install : Balcony power plants are easy to install and do not require extensive technical expertise. Compatibility : Balcony power stations can be easily combined with other energy sources such as batteries or grids. Flexibility : Balcony power plants can easily be taken with you when you move. Contribution to sustainability : The use of balcony power plants helps to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy supply.

In the future, mini PV systems / balcony power plants can be used with the simple and standard Schuko plug. The systems can therefore be easily used as plug & play solutions. The Wieland plug is a safer alternative. The Wieland plug differs from the Schuko plug in that it has a higher safety standard. It therefore currently complies with the VDE standard V 0628-1, which is taken into account in funding in Schleswig-Holstein, among other things. At the beginning of 2023, however, the VDE published a position paper in which it advocated tolerating the Schuko plug for feeding in up to 800W for mini PV systems. It is therefore likely that the standard will change accordingly this year, making the use of balcony power plants even easier. The head of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, also spoke out in favor of this simplification in an official statement at the end of 2022. From the experience of hundreds of thousands of Schuko plug users in Germany, it can be concluded that the Schuko plug is completely sufficient for balcony power plants and mini solar systems and represents the simplest solution. To date, no cases of damage have been reported due to the use of a Schuko plug when operating a balcony power plant. The Wieland plug offers even more safety and is currently recommended by the VDE, but it involves considerably more effort and costs. In addition, a specialist installer and sufficient waiting time for an appointment are required, which significantly increases the purchase costs of a balcony power plant. We are currently in contact with those responsible to further simplify the possibility of using an eligible balcony power station with a Schuko plug for you.