The share of renewable energies in electricity generation should increase. The federal government has therefore introduced changes to the law to simplify the installation of solar systems for balconies at home.
The federal government wants to make it easier to install so-called balcony power plants and has decided to make changes to tenancy and property ownership law. This will make it easier for people without their own house to install a small solar system on the balcony of their apartment.
The draft law stipulates that electricity generation through plug-in solar devices will be included in the catalog of so-called privileged measures. These are structural changes that cannot simply be blocked by landlords and homeowners associations (WEG). So far, this catalog includes conversions for accessibility, e-mobility, burglary protection and telecommunications.
The law still has to be passed by the Bundestag. According to the draft law, landlords and property owners still have a say in the question of how a plug-in solar device is attached to the house. But in principle they cannot ban it.
More solar power – less bureaucracy
The project is part of a package of reforms with which the traffic light government wants to increase the share of electricity generation from renewable energies. In August, the cabinet had already passed a draft law intended to reduce the bureaucratic burden for the owners of mini solar systems. After that, they should no longer have to inform the network operator about their new system in the future.
In addition, less information should be required in the so-called market master data register, in which gas and electricity generation systems are registered. In the future, balcony power plants will also be offered with a Schuko plug that fits into standard household sockets.
Costs from 500 euros
As the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center explained in an information campaign, balcony power plants and support measures from various municipalities are aimed at residents of two- and multi-family houses. “In contrast to large solar systems on the roof of a house, private individuals can in most cases attach, connect and use the plug-in solar devices themselves,” said board member Wolfgang Schuldzinski. This means that plug-in solar devices are a sensible way to advance the energy transition without owning your own property and at the same time save on electricity costs.
The devices cost from 500 euros. This would allow around 300 kilowatt hours of electricity to be generated per module each year, depending on the location and direction.