Anyone who wants to buy a balcony power plant can use their own electricity generation from the first sunny day. Mini solar systems convert solar energy into usable electricity. In order for this to work as efficiently as possible, users should pay attention to a few things when purchasing.
A balcony power plant consists of one or more solar modules that are connected to a socket via the inverter. These convert sunlight into energy and feed the electricity generated directly into the home network or a storage facility. This can reduce your electricity bill in the long run. If you want to buy a balcony power plant, you should consider a few points in advance – we’ll show you what they are below.
What defines a balcony power plant?
Balcony power plants are mini PV systems that are suitable for easy installation not only on the balcony, but also in the garden or on the roof. As electricity costs rise, these plug-in models are becoming increasingly popular as a way to generate your own green and cheap electricity. To buy a balcony power plant, consumers no longer have to dig too deep into their pockets, as the systems are becoming increasingly affordable, which is also due to the fact that sales tax has been eliminated from the purchase price since the beginning of 2023.
Buy a mini PV system: The complete, ready-to-plug-in set
Three components are necessary to install a balcony power plant:
- The solar module
- An inverter
- A connection cable with cable and Schuko plug or a Wieland set
All components can be purchased individually – but this is quite tedious and in the end the price can add up. It’s easier to get a complete balcony power plant set. With a so-called plug-in mini PV system, all important elements are already included in the scope of delivery. Only brackets, WLAN modules or other special components are not always included. An optional storage unit for the balcony power plant usually also needs to be purchased.
If you want to buy a complete set of a balcony power plant, you will find what you are looking for from the provider Kleines Kraftwerk. There are ready-made complete packages for the lattice balcony in various sizes as a single version with one solar module, as a duo model with two modules and as a Quattro option with four solar modules. The larger the area of solar panels, the more electricity generation is possible. Under optimal conditions, the manufacturer promises 430 to 1,720 kilowatt hours of electricity generated per year, depending on the set.
Who is a balcony power plant suitable for?
Buying a balcony power plant is generally recommended for anyone who has a suitable location for installation. Whether it’s a balcony, garden, house wall or roof – the installation location should be as unshaded as possible so that the electricity yield can reach its maximum. Furthermore, the solar system must be able to be securely fastened; the appropriate fastening material is mandatory. An outside socket must also be available to connect the system. This can also be retrofitted if necessary. If you want to be on the safe side when buying a balcony power plant, you should still obtain the owner’s consent.
How does the feed into the home network work?
If the balcony power plant is connected to the house network, the power is fed in automatically. As a result, connected electrical devices always draw electricity first from solar energy, and the electricity meter counts accordingly more slowly. Balcony power plants are primarily designed for self-consumption; unlike large photovoltaic systems, there is no feed-in into the public grid and thus no feed-in tariff.
Power: 600 or 800 watts?
Performance is a crucial factor when users want to buy a balcony power plant. At the moment, the limit for the amount fed into the home network in Germany is still 600 watts. In 2024, this limit will be raised to 800 watts, but this is currently still pending. This means: The maximum output of the solar modules should now be at least 800 watts. When purchasing a balcony power plant, an 800-watt inverter should be included. The best option is a throttleable inverter that can be adjusted to the permitted wattage.
Click here to find a complete throttleable balcony power plant set on Amazon
Buying a balcony power plant: Is it worth buying?
The purchase price of a balcony power plant can be paid off after just a few years of use, so the purchase is definitely worth it, especially given the rising electricity prices and the long service life of the systems. When exactly the purchase is worthwhile and how much income the mini PV system generates depends on various factors such as location, orientation and inclination of the modules, solar radiation, current electricity price and purchase costs of the system. The basic consumption of the main electricity consumers in the household can also be partially covered with a small balcony power plant.
To calculate the savings per year, the performance of the system is multiplied by the number of operating hours/year. The result is multiplied by the cost of one kilowatt hour. If you want, you can do that too Plug-in solar simulator from HTW Berlin Use it to calculate the savings from purchasing a balcony power plant.
Store excess electricity: Buy storage for a balcony power plant
If you don’t want to feed electricity directly into the house network, you can connect a storage device between the mini PV system and the socket. In this way, an inverter with a maximum of 1,500 watts is also possible. With a powerful battery storage system, the energy generated can be used exactly when it is needed – it does not automatically flow into the public grid when not in use. If a storage tank is to be purchased for the balcony power plant, it is recommended to pay attention to the following components:
- Powerful lithium batteries for high storage capacity
- Connection cable for the inverter and the solar modules
- Management system for controlling storage processes
Above all, the storage system should of course be compatible with the existing balcony power plant. There is also the option to buy complete balcony power plant sets including storage – then users are on the safe side.
Click here for the balcony power plant storage offer at Kleines Kraftwerk
What measures are necessary before purchasing a balcony power plant?
A permit is no longer necessary for a balcony power plant up to 600 watts, but the mini PV systems must also be properly registered, ideally no later than one month after commissioning. Registration includes the following if users want to buy a balcony power plant:
- Register with the local network operator, such as municipal utilities or a corresponding energy supplier.
- Registration in the Federal Network Agency’s market master data register – easily possible using the online assistant on the Federal Network Agency website.
- The data is compared with each other and should definitely be identical.
- The prerequisite for registration is a suitable meter that must not run backwards. If the meter needs to be replaced, the local network operator will also take care of this.
Buy a balcony power plant – the quality
When buying a balcony power plant, those interested should pay attention to the high quality and efficiency of all components such as solar modules, inverters and brackets. High-quality balcony power plants are robust, have a longer service life and usually also offer a higher electricity yield. If you want to buy a balcony power plant, you should pay attention to recognized seals and quality standards.
What should you consider when buying a balcony power plant?
A mini PV system usually costs between 300 and 800 euros. When purchasing a balcony power plant, the following should be taken into account in the decision:
- Compare prices: What does which manufacturer offer and what is included in the price?
- Performance: What performance does the balcony power plant have and how efficient is it?
- Does the manufacturer offer guarantees?
- What are the reviews and experiences of other users?
Are there subsidies for balcony power plants?
If you want to buy a balcony power plant, you should find out about possible funding programs in advance. Numerous regional grants are available. There are also a few funding pots at the state level, for example in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In some cases, grants of up to 600 euros or more are included when purchasing a balcony power plant.
After purchasing a balcony power plant: The optimal installation
Once the balcony power plant has been purchased, the next step is correct installation for optimized power generation. Important: the position and orientation of the modules. Before you buy, it is therefore an advantage to think carefully about where and how the balcony power plant should be installed. Some complete sets for balconies already include brackets. Lattice balconies are particularly suitable for fastening. If there is no bracket available when purchasing a plug-in balcony power plant, this can be purchased separately.
Click here to find a solar module holder on Amazon
This is important for the efficient performance of the solar module:
- Orientation: If possible, face south to get the maximum amount of sunlight
- Angle of inclination: The light should hit the solar cells as vertically as possible
- Shading should be avoided
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Dirt, dust and other debris should be removed regularly as these can affect light absorption
Buying a balcony power plant: What is important?
Buying a mini PV system is a great way to reduce your electricity bill. Of course, it takes a few years for the acquisition costs to be amortized. Since mini solar systems are designed to last for a long time and the manufacturers often offer a guarantee of more than ten years, buying a balcony power plant is still worthwhile in the long term.
Ready-to-plug models are the simplest solution for installing a small photovoltaic system with little effort and without the help of a specialist. If you want to buy a balcony power plant, you should make sure it has a sufficiently high output and is easy to install, as well as having a sunny balcony. You can optionally purchase an additional balcony power plant storage system so that you can use the electricity generated as efficiently as possible.
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