2023-05-30 22:14:50
Tuesday, May 30, 2023Advertisement
Generate electricity yourself and thus become independent of electricity suppliers and constantly rising energy prices? Solar systems for the balcony should be the solution. Where you can now find cheap balcony power plants and accessories.
Whether for reasons of environmental protection or to save money in times of energy crises – mini solar systems for the balcony are booming. Also because their acquisition costs are comparatively low and the hurdles for installation are low. We have summarized here which rules apply to balcony power plants, how much money can be saved with their electricity generation, where the systems are available at affordable prices and what needs to be considered when buying.
Balcony power plant: Put an end to rising electricity prices
In the past few months, one electricity price increase following the next has fluttered into your home? A good reason for many to think regarding their own small solar system – with the aim of reducing their own energy bill through self-generated solar power.
Compared to large photovoltaic systems that are mounted on house roofs and with which several thousand kilowatt hours of electricity can be generated a year, balcony power plants are significantly smaller, but also cheaper. They are an interesting option for tenants, provided the landlord agrees to the installation of the system. Next to the permission of the landlord Other requirements must be met before purchasing:
- A suitable place for attaching the solar system is available.
- The solar module meets the DGS safety standard.
- The maximum power is limited to 600 watts.
- The system needs a special plug to connect it to the mains.
- Neighbors must not be disturbed by reflections from the solar modules.
- The system may not be installed everywhere due to monument protection.
Tipp: The requirements that must be met when installing a balcony power plant might change in the coming months. The Federal Ministry of Justice plans to ease the hurdles to your own solar system on the balcony. Among other things, tenants should have a legal right to have a system installed on their balcony. And the power that a balcony power plant is allowed to generate should also be increased to 800 watts. So far, this has been capped at 600 watts. However, these points are still in the planning stage and have not been implemented.
Buy your own balcony solar system
If you can meet the legal requirements and are thinking regarding purchasing a balcony power plant for your rented apartment or your own house, you will find what you are looking for at Media Markt, among others. The balcony power plant from the manufacturer Absaar, for example, is equipped with two solar modules to get the maximum output from the sun and can even generate electricity when it is cloudy.
More details:
- 2 Solar-Panel 410 Watt
- Feed-in power: 600 watts
- including Deye inverter
- Two meters Schuko cable
- With WiFi function
- Weight: 50 kilograms
- Mounting kit not included
If you want to save yourself the search for the assembly set, you can also get the same balcony power plant from Absaar from the technology dealer for just under 60 euros more including matching assembly set in addition.
SBuy solar systems and accessories from Amazon, Otto, eBay & Co
In addition to Media Markt, other retailers also have a large selection of balcony power plants and matching accessories. Online shops such as Amazon, Otto.de or eBay are a good choice, because here you can often find balcony solar systems at a discount.
For example, you can get a balcony power plant from Solakon on eBay for less than 500 euros, also as a complete set and ready to plug in.
The details of the balcony solar system from Solakon:
- Two 415-watt solar panels
- 600 watt Deye inverter
- 4.5 meter Schuko socket cable
- with WiFi function
- Module bracket not included in the set
By the way: At discounters like Lidl or Netto, balcony power plants can now be found from time to time in the range at special prices.
How is a solar system for the balcony installed?
Balcony power plants mostly consist of one or two solar panels including matching Connection cable, mains cable with plug and inverter, so that the power plant can be set up and connected easily and without the help of an electrician. It is important that there is enough sunlight during the day to generate enough electricity. Therefore, a southern orientation of the solar modules is recommended. The electricity yield is highest when the sunlight falls perpendicularly. With a rather shady balcony or a terrace where the sun only shines for a few hours a day, it is therefore often not worth buying a mini solar system.
After attachment, for example on the balcony or on the carport roof, the system is connected to the mains in the house with a suitable plug (Schuko or Wieland).
It is also important that an inverter is available. This converts the direct current generated by the balcony power plant into alternating current and ultimately makes it usable for household appliances. It is mounted directly on the module and connected to a socket in the house with a suitable connection cable. It is ideal if the socket is directly on the balcony.
- ABL balcony power station including two 415-watt solar panels
- with 600 watt Hoymiles inverter
- including all connection cables
- Can be used flexibly, for example on the balcony, in the garage or in the garden
Important: A balcony power plant must be registered with the grid operator. However, this can be done quickly using a form that is available on the network operator’s website.
When is a balcony power plant worthwhile?
If you decide to have your own balcony power plant, you first have to invest some money. Even if the systems are quite affordable with prices between 600 and 800 euros, it takes a while for the purchase costs to be amortized by the electricity saved.
Die Consumer Center has made an example calculation: With a southerly orientation, a balcony power plant generates up to 280 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. In a household with two people, this roughly corresponds to the annual consumption of a washing machine and refrigerator – at a price of 33 cents per kilowatt hour, this represents an approximate potential saving of 66 euros per year. Since the costs for a kilowatt hour are currently higher, the amount to be saved is also larger. So that the purchase of the solar system is worthwhile, you should make sure to choose a model with a long warranty period.
By the way: Balcony power plants are designed to use the electricity generated themselves in order to reduce their own energy costs. However, the electricity generated is not sufficient to compensate for the entire electricity consumption. That’s why there’s no point in feeding the generated electricity into the public energy grid and earning something with it.
- Balcony power plant ready to plug in with two 410 Wp solar modules and inverter
- Power: 600 watts
- with WiFi function
- including 5 meter Schuko connection cable
Electricity from the balcony: are there any disadvantages?
Clearly: A solar system on the balcony not only contributes to your own reduce electricity billsbut also provides one contribution to the energy transition. The consumer advice center has calculated: In 20 years, a balcony power plant will help, for example Saving 2.5 tons of CO₂. But as with everything, there are not only advantages with a balcony solar system. The disadvantages include:
- No power in case of power failure: Since the inverter is connected to the socket, the solar system will no longer work in the event of a power failure.
- No storage option for electricity: The electricity generated is only available for immediate consumption and cannot be stored for a later point in time.
- Extra cost: Mounting brackets are not available on most systems and must be purchased separately.
- Not always suitable location available: The purchase often fails because there is not enough sunlight on the balcony, terrace or garage roof.
- Long lifetime: Purchase only pays off if the systems have a very long service life of 20 years or more.
Conclusion: why a balcony power plant still makes sense
In times when electricity prices are constantly going up, having your own solar system on the balcony gives you a little independence from the electricity supplier. Because: Under favorable conditions, a few euros can be saved in electricity costs every year. The model variants, which you can assemble yourself without much specialist knowledge and put into operation using your own socket, also offer a great deal of flexibility. If a move is pending, the small power plant can simply be dismantled and reinstalled in the new apartment – provided the landlord gives his consent.
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