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June 16, 2025, 9:50 am | Read time: 9 minutes

With a solar panel on the balcony, you can supply your household with electricity—at least partially. This sustainable energy source is not just for homeowners. Renters can also install smaller systems on their balconies.

How do balcony solar panels work?

Balcony solar panels typically consist of two modules and an inverter, with a capacity of up to 600 watts. The devices can be easily set up and usually feed their energy only into the home network. They require little space and are typically attached to the balcony railing. Alternatively, they can hang on the garden shed, carport, or house and garage walls.

While the mini-systems work just like the large rooftop systems, they are technically more like electricity-generating devices and can be taken along when moving. Therefore, they are also attractive for tenants.

Read more: How do you register the systems?

How do you register the systems?

Until now, private households had to register the solar panels themselves with the energy supplier. That is about to change: The federal government has announced the removal of bureaucratic hurdles. If the Bundestag agrees, the change could come in 2024. In the future, the system will no longer need to be registered with the grid operator, and the entry in the market master data register will be limited to a few data points. Currently, in addition to registering with the register for the German electricity and gas market, you must contact your grid operator.

When registering with the grid operator, proof may be required that a special feed-in socket, known as a Wieland socket, has been installed. Additionally, it may be required to show that the system was installed by an electrician.

Note: According to the Low Voltage Connection Ordinance, only an electrician is allowed to work on the public electrical supply network. “However, no one will hold you accountable if you do it yourself,” says Melanie Unseld from the VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) upon request from myHOMEBOOK. But be careful: Home and building insurance will not cover damages if the installation is not done by a professional.

When is a regular Schuko socket sufficient?

For now, the special feed-in socket, such as the Wieland socket, is recommended by the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE). However, there are efforts to relax these recommendations. The Schuko plug and socket are the standard connection in Germany–almost everything in our household is connected to the grid with them.

“Mini-PV systems can be connected to an existing electrical circuit if the technical safety standards of the upcoming product standard are met,” says Alexander Nollau, head of department at the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE). “However, if the mini-PV system is to be connected to an existing electrical circuit, it is advisable to have an electrician install it to ensure the system is securely attached, even in a storm,” advises Melanie Unseld from VDE upon request from myHOMEBOOK.

Do I need a new electricity meter?

The legal amendment provides that future balcony systems will be temporarily installed behind each electricity meter. This is because when more energy is fed into the public power grid than is consumed, it is currently prohibited and requires a meter exchange.

Full feed-in or compensation?

Since January 1, 2023, new compensation rates apply to solar systems, including those on balconies, according to the Consumer Advice Center. Households that generate electricity for self-supply through the systems receive higher compensation rates. Specifically, operators of a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 10 kilowatt-peak (kWp) receive about 8.2 cents per kWh.

For full feed-in of electricity, systems up to 10 kWp receive about 13 cents per kWh. Whether you want to fully or partially feed in the generated electricity can be determined annually. The return calculator from Stiftung Warentest can help with the decision. Since the beginning of the year, producers are allowed to feed more than 70 percent of the generated electricity into the grid, but this only applies to systems with a capacity of up to 7 kWp.

Although it is possible, as with large solar systems, to feed electricity into the public grid if a bidirectional meter is available and the plug-in PV system is registered with the Federal Network Agency and the local grid operator, the amount of electricity fed in is likely to be very small. Such systems are therefore more suitable for self-consumption.

“However, an electrical specialist should first check whether the line is designed for power feed-in if the mini PV system is to be connected to an existing electrical circuit,” advises Melanie Unseld from VDE upon request from myHOMEBOOK. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace it in advance to prevent overload.

How much does a balcony power plant cost?

According to the Consumer Advice Center, the cost for devices with a standard module ranges from 350 to 600 euros. As of the beginning of the year, the value-added tax on these products has been eliminated. Additionally, many municipalities, districts, individual federal states, and regional associations offer subsidies. According to the German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), interested parties should be able to find this information on the respective website of their municipality, city, or district. The responsible authorities include the respective environmental offices or climate protection departments.

Note: To use your own solar power even in bad weather, a storage battery is necessary. Unfortunately, solar storage systems are still very expensive, costing several thousand euros, unlike balcony solar modules.

Read more: Balcony power plants – the best mini solar systems compared

How much electricity does the solar panel on the balcony generate?

According to the Consumer Advice Center, a standard module with 400 watts of power can operate in a shadow-free spot on the south balcony and produce about 280 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This is enough to power a refrigerator or washing machine for a year or save 85 euros annually if you don’t have to buy energy at a price of 35 cents from the public grid. In shadier locations, electricity production decreases. Therefore, it is generally recommended to orient solar panels to the south, southeast, or southwest.

VDE spokesperson Unseld conducted a test calculation for myHOMEBOOK: “Mini-PV modules have a performance of 150 to 300 watts under test conditions. On average, an output of 70 to 85 kilowatt-hours per 100 watts of nominal power is expected annually. A 500-watt system, for example, generates around 350 to 425 kilowatt-hours per year. This means a four-person household could save over ten percent of the electricity they would otherwise purchase from the grid.”

When is the balcony solar panel worth it?

When a mini solar system pays off largely depends on how much electricity it generates. Several factors play a role here:

• In which direction is the mini solar system oriented?
• Is the angle of the sun’s rays optimal?
• Is there any shadow on the solar panels?

“In principle, the energy expenditure required for production is already amortized within two to three years,” says Unseld. The purchase costs for a mini solar system are offset by the saved electricity costs after eight to 10 years, according to the expert.

According to Jörg Sutter, vice president of the DGS, most users are not so concerned about the point at which it becomes profitable: “More relevant, however, is that plug-in solar offers a way to participate in energy transition with little money and to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly way.”

Where can you get solar panels for the balcony?

You can easily buy the modules at a hardware store or order them online. Before purchasing, consumers should be well-informed. Energy expert Jörg Sutter warns, “There are plug-in systems on the market that require the customer to ensure proper installation, with only a cable coming out of the module.” However, most manufacturers offer plug-in energy devices that include a plug and socket to avoid direct contact with voltages. “This way, the customer does not get an electric shock and cannot touch a live conductor.”

The installation of solar panels on the balcony can be done by those who are handy. Most ready-made sets include a module, wiring, and a mounting structure. “If you don’t trust yourself to do the installation, you can ask an electrician or solar company to install even such a small system, including assembly and connection,” explains Jörg Sutter to myHOMEBOOK. “It is important to ensure that the installation site is as sunny as possible and that the surface is stable enough to securely fasten the module even in a storm,” advises the physicist. In addition, landlords or co-owners should be consulted in rental apartments or condominium associations. Depending on the situation, the contract may require their approval.

For more tips: The DGS offers a comprehensive product overview of plug-in solar modules, which can also be filtered by performance or price. The cheapest models are available from around 350 euros.

More on the topic

Experts Offer Tips Power Your Home and Electric Car With a Solar Carport

Also for Renters Agreement on the Solar Package! Key Changes for Balcony Power Plants

Pros and Cons Not Just Buy – You Can Also Rent Solar Panels

What should renters consider?

Before installing on a balcony, tenants must ask the landlord for permission, according to the Hamburg Tenants’ Association. The corresponding approval should be in writing. According to the Consumer Advice Center, the homeowners’ association must also agree.