June 16, 2025, 10:50 am | Read time: 10 minutes
Balcony power plants—also known as plug-in solar modules—can bring solar energy into homes and partially supply households with electricity. myHOMEBOOK conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine which models were particularly in demand in April 2025.
Balcony power plants have been on the market for a few years and are very popular. No wonder: Once installed, they provide solar power for the apartment–as long as the sun is shining. Registration has been somewhat simplified, and the hurdles for renters have also decreased. Together with Idealo (like myHOMEBOOK, part of Axel Springer), the editorial team analyzed which balcony power plants were particularly popular in April 2025. An expert also explains what to consider during installation, registration, and operation, and who would benefit from purchasing one.
Ranking: Which Balcony Power Plants Are in High Demand
With a balcony power plant, you can easily generate your own electricity. But the selection is vast: devices with storage, bifacial modules, or Wi-Fi connectivity–what’s really worth it? myHOMEBOOK presents the ten most popular balcony power plant models in this ranking, highlights the differences, and helps with orientation.
This is based on an exclusive evaluation from Idealo, available to myHOMEBOOK. According to Idealo, it is a list of the “usual suspects” in this field. Brands like Solarway, Anker, and Sunniva are among the top manufacturers.
“A look at our data reveals: Demand for balcony power plants was particularly high in 2023. Although current numbers haven’t reached that peak, an upward trend is increasingly noticeable. Compared to the previous year, demand in April 2025 was up by five percent, and compared to April 2022, it was up by 719 percent.”
Florian Kriegel, Price Expert at Idealo
1. Sunniva 850 Watt Complete Set with 800 Watt Inverter
This plug-and-play set is the most popular balcony power plant listed on Idealo in April 2025. It consists of two solar modules, each with 425 watts, and an 800-watt microinverter. The high efficiency allows for solid yields even in low light. According to the manufacturer, up to 360 euros in electricity cost savings per year are possible. Installation is done without included mounting material. A 30-year warranty on performance and materials is included.
2. Solarway 2000 Watt with Adjustable Feed-in
With four 500-watt modules, this system offers a total output of 2000 watts. The inverter can be flexibly set to 600, 800, or 2000 watts. In combination with the app, you can monitor the yield live. Despite the high output, the system remains approval-free as long as the output is limited.
3. Anker Solix AC Expansion Set with 1.6 kWh Storage
This system serves as an extension for existing balcony power plants. It consists of two 460-watt modules and a 1.6-kWh battery. Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it can be integrated into the home network. The weatherproof design (IP65) and a ten-year warranty ensure long-term use. Compatible with inverters from various brands.
4. Sunniva 1196 Watt with Bifacial Full-Black Modules
This system uses two bifacial solar modules with up to 1196 watts. The two-sided energy absorption allows for higher yields. A high-quality glass-aluminum construction also ensures stability in wind and snow. As with other Sunniva models, long warranties and flexible mounting options are provided.
5. Anker Balcony Power Plant 1740 Watt with Storage
The next balcony power plant in the ranking of the most popular models is an all-in-one system from Anker with four bifacial 435-watt modules and a 1.6-kWh battery. Up to 902 euros in electricity cost savings per year are said to be possible. The output is automatically controlled to avoid energy waste. All parameters can be monitored and adjusted via the Anker app. The storage unit is modularly expandable.
6. Solarway All-in-One with 1.6 kWh Storage
This complete system combines four 500-watt modules with storage. Thanks to plug-and-play, the system is quickly operational. The output of up to 800 watts is fed directly into the power grid. An app allows real-time monitoring. The system is particularly aimed at users with limited space requirements.
7. Sunniva 1700 Watt with 1600 Watt Inverter
This system offers four 425-watt modules and a powerful inverter with up to 1600W. The feed-in can be set between 600, 800, and 1600 watts. Thanks to the Wi-Fi module, real-time monitoring is possible. The robust construction and integrated grid protection increase operational safety.
8. Solarway 1000 Watt with 800 Watt Inverter
The set consists of two 500-watt modules and an 800-watt inverter. It is approval-free as the feed-in is limited to 800 watts. Monitoring is done via an app. Despite its compact design, the system is said to enable electricity savings of up to 500 euros per year, depending on location and consumption behavior.
9. Sunniva 900 Watt Black Frame with 800 Watt Inverter
With two 450-watt modules and an 800-watt microinverter, this model offers a solid basic setup. The system is suitable for smaller households or to complement existing systems. Thanks to bifacial technology and real-time monitoring via an app, energy yield remains high even with indirect sunlight.
10. Solakon 2000 Watt Complete Set with Storage
This system combines bifacial modules with an integrated 2-kWh storage and an 800-watt inverter. The storage can store energy even at sub-zero temperatures. With MPPT technology, app monitoring, and plug-and-play installation, this system is aimed at users who value high self-sufficiency and ease of use.
Why Balcony Power Plants Are So Popular
“Plug-in solar devices are popular because they are easy to install,” explains Tobias Ptok, PV expert at the Consumer Center NRW upon myHOMEBOOK’s request. They can be attached to the balcony railing, set up in the garden, or placed on the terrace. The connection to the power grid works via a regular socket.
Registration in the market master data register can now be done independently. Another advantage: “A plug-in solar device does not require a roof as an installation site. This means, for example, that apartments in multi-family houses are often suitable.”
How Balcony Power Plants Supply the Household with Electricity
According to Ptok, the solar module generates electricity from sunlight, which an inverter converts into “household electricity.” “In the simplest case, you plug a plug into an existing socket,” the expert explains.
The electricity from the plug-in solar device flows, for example, into the socket on the balcony and from there to the TV, internet router, or washing machine, which are connected to other sockets in the apartment. “Then the electricity meter counts more slowly because less electricity is drawn from the public grid.” If the electricity from the balcony is not enough to operate the household appliances, electricity from the supplier flows from the grid.
Also interesting: When a Photovoltaic System on the Facade Is Worthwhile
Who Should Consider an Installation
According to Ptok, mini solar systems usually produce enough electricity to cover “a significant portion of a household’s base load” on sunny days. “A standard solar module with 400 watts of power, which is mounted vertically on a south-facing balcony without shading, delivers about 280 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year,” explains the photovoltaic consultant. “This amount of electricity corresponds to the annual consumption of a refrigerator and a dishwasher in a two-person household.”
How Much Electricity a Balcony Power Plant Generates
“A standard module with 400 watts peak produces around 400 kilowatt-hours per year with optimal, unshaded south orientation and a 30-degree module tilt,” Ptok notes.
Depending on the number of modules–up to 2000 watts peak are allowed, i.e., four modules with 400 to 450 watts peak–up to 1600 kWh per year can be produced.
At an electricity price of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour from the public grid, the above example brings an annual savings of around 60 euros, Ptok explains. No sales tax is due on private purchases. The investment of a few hundred euros can usually be recouped in electricity costs within three to ten years.
“The highest annual yields can be achieved with a module tilted 30 degrees to the south,” Ptok notes. For high self-consumption, you can also combine two modules in a flat west and east orientation, for example, on the flat roof of a garage.
With a plug-in solar device, you can not only reduce your electricity bill but also do something for the environment. According to Ptok, a mini solar system saves about 2.5 tons of CO2 over 20 years.
“If you want to use as much solar power as possible yourself and avoid feeding it into the grid, we recommend a power output of 200 to 400 watts, which is usually a standard solar module. If you want to generate more solar power, two standard solar modules may also be an option for you.”
Tobias Ptok, Photovoltaic Expert at the Consumer Center NRW
What to Consider Before Installation
If you want to install the solar module outside a rental or owner-occupied apartment, for example, on the balcony railing or the house wall, landlords or the homeowners’ association usually have to agree. “A majority approval is sufficient,” says Ptok.
Good to know: Since October 2024, landlords or the homeowners’ association meeting can only reject the request if the installation would be unreasonable for them. A rejection without justification or only for aesthetic reasons is no longer permissible.
Step by Step to a Balcony Power Plant
Ptok recommends the following checklist before purchasing:
- Are the local conditions suitable for connecting a plug-in solar device? Is there as much sun as possible?
- Are the installation site, socket, and power circuit up to current technical standards?
- Do the landlord or homeowners’ association agree?
- Are there any construction or statutory restrictions, such as monument protection regulations, for example, in an old town center?
- What requirements does the potential funding provider have?
- Have you found the right offer that meets all requirements? (Technology, price/performance, delivery, installation and connection, DGS safety standard/future product standard)
- Have you considered monitoring to check performance?
- Are the technical data ready for registration in the market master data register?
Important for Operating a Balcony Power Plant
According to Ptok, you should always connect only one plug-in solar device to a permanently installed socket. Connecting multiple devices via a power strip would be dangerous. “Also, the maximum 800 watts AC power should only be used once per electricity meter,” explains the PV expert.
In a single-family house with one electricity meter, only 800 watts are allowed. In a multi-family house where each apartment has its own electricity meter, 800 watts can be used per apartment.
What Renters and Owners Should Know About Balcony Power Plants
Affordable Balcony Solar System at the Discount Store–But There’s a Catch
Power Your Home and Electric Car With a Solar Carport
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a balcony power plant?
A balcony power plant, also called a plug-in solar device, is a small solar system that feeds electricity directly into the household grid via a socket. It consists of solar modules and an inverter.
Is a balcony power plant subject to approval?
As long as the feed-in power does not exceed 800 watts, such systems are generally approval-free. However, registration with the grid operator is still required.
What does “bifacial” mean?
Bifacial solar modules can use sunlight from both sides–for example, through reflection from the ground. This allows for higher energy yields.
What does a storage unit do?
A power storage unit can store excess energy for later use–for example, in the evening or when it’s cloudy. This increases the self-consumption rate.
Can I install my balcony power plant myself?
Many systems are suitable for self-installation and only require a socket. For higher outputs or fixed connections, a professional is required.