With the start of the new year, new rules and regulations for balcony power plants will also come into force. We have summarized what these are and what you should pay attention to when purchasing from 2024.
Anyone who has decided to purchase a balcony power plant should know the most important legal regulations before purchasing. From 2024, some regulations surrounding mini solar systems will change.
Balcony power plant 2024: These rules must now be observed
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection has in its Photovoltaic strategy summarizes all regulations for operating a balcony power plant that will apply from 2024.
- Up to 800 watts: From next year, operators of balcony power plants will be allowed to feed a total of up to 800 watts into the power grid. The previous upper limit was a maximum of 600 watts.
- Easier registration: While operators previously had to be entered in the market master data register and reported to the network operator, at least the latter will no longer apply from 2024.
- Schuko plug: Connecting the balcony power plant with a Schuko plug will be officially permitted from 2024, even if this has not been explicitly prohibited until now.
- Temporarily permitted – counters running backwards: Anyone who currently wants to connect a balcony power plant needs a bidirectional meter. Starting next year, it will be possible to temporarily connect the mini solar system to a reverse meter until a new meter is installed.
These balcony power plants will be usable from 2024
Anyone who is currently thinking about purchasing a balcony power plant before the turn of the year should make sure to choose a model with an inverter whose wattage can be adjusted in order to be able to fully utilize the system’s performance in 2024.
One such mini solar system is the ready-to-plug complete set from Kleines Kraftwerk. The balcony power plant is equipped with two bifacial solar modules, each with 430 watts. The set also includes an 800-watt inverter from Hoymiles and a five-meter Schuko cable – ideal for operation from 2024.
Here you can find the offer from Kleines Kraftwerk
- Model: Small power station duo without bracket (complete package)
- Solar modules: two panels, each with 430 watts, bifacial, with the latest TOPCon technology
- Inverter: 600/800 watt Hoymiles with WiFi
Practical: The inverter is WLAN-capable. With a suitable app, the user can check the energy generated by their balcony power plant at any time. The Balcony Power Plant Duo receives another plus point for the use of the latest TOPCon technology, which allows the maximum performance of the system to be fully exploited.
Pianeta balcony power plant: High yield thanks to four solar panels
The Pianeta balcony power plant is particularly suitable for those with a lot of space. After all, the complete set, ready to plug in, comes with four solar modules. Also included is a 600/800 watt inverter from Hoymiles.
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- Model: Pianeta plug-in balcony power plant
- Solar modules: four modules with 410 watts each
- Inverter: 1,500 watt Hoymiles inverter, can be throttled to 600/800 watts
Due to the higher number of solar modules, Pianeta’s Balcony Power is able to generate more energy than is currently permitted. With the inverter, the wattage can be reduced to 600 watts this year and 800 watts in 2024. The larger system is still practical, especially if locations with less optimal conditions are to be equipped with a mini solar system.
Balcony power plant with electricity storage
A major disadvantage of balcony power plants is that the energy generated cannot yet be stored. The manufacturer Anker has developed a solution for this and brought a balcony power plant with storage onto the market. One disadvantage is the still very high price for the set. If you still want to spend the money, the SOLIX RS40B B model is a system with two solar modules, inverter, brackets and storage.
Click here for the offer on Amazon
- Model: Anchor SOLIX RS40B balcony power plant with storage
- Solar modules: two panels with 410 watts each
- Inverter: WiFi inverter 600 watts, upgrade to 800 watts possible
A big advantage of the mini solar system is that the included solar bank stores the electricity generated. This means that the unused energy can be used later and is not simply lost.
Balcony power plant: This is important for 2024
If you want to buy a balcony power plant, you should choose a model that has an output of at least 800 watts. The right inverter is also essential for this. This should be designed for 800 watts or, at best, be able to be upgraded to this wattage. After the setup, you should register with the market master data register as soon as possible. The network operator is automatically informed and then takes care of replacing the meter. These new regulations are intended to make it easier for balcony power plant owners and anyone who would like to become one in 2024 to operate their own small mini solar system.
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