Rise in Balcony Solar Power Units: One Million Methods Installed Across the Country - Balcony count escalates to one million figures.
Get ready to bask in the sun's rays and savings! The number of balcony power plants in Germany has skyrocketed, reaching an astonishing one million, according to recent data from the Market Data Register and estimates by the German Solar Association (BSW). "We reckon the one millionth plug-and-play solar setup is already operational, as there are still pending notifications to the Federal Network Agency," says BSW CEO Carsten Körnig.
Balcony power plants, otherwise known as plug-and-play solar systems, are petite solar installations that may or may not reside on balconies. Their maximum connected power hovers around 800 watts. On those sunny days, they trade their juice with the homeowner's local grid via an outlet, reducing the need to draw power from the supplier.
This financial gain comes from the energy savings. If these systems generate more than they consume, the excess is fed into the grid for free. Storage-equipped systems don't fall under the plug-and-play solar system umbrella, as they follow different rules.
In a nutshell, investing in a balcony power plant could see the initial cost covered in just 2.5 to 5 years, according to a recent analysis from Verivox. The roof's southward orientation, a slight incline, and sunlight fretting about the modules are crucial for maximum profitability.
Numbers and Projections
As of today, the Market Data Register displays 975,583 systems in operation, with another twenty thousand temporarily or permanently shut down. Given the typical lag between the register's data and the actual number of balcony power plants, as observed by the Federal Network Agency, the half-million mark might have been reached as early as June 2024, a year ago.
A survey by Verivox reported that 9% of respondents already own a balcony power plant, while 17% are planning to install one. However, about 21% lack space for one, and 15% find the mini-solar system to be a poor investment. 19% of respondents aren't keen on balcony power plants.
Easing Regulations
Regulations introduced by the former coalition of parties (the "traffic light" coalition) have made balcony power plants more accessible, including a permit requirement for landlords and property owners, according to BSW. The surge in these systems was initially driven by the high electricity prices following the start of the Ukraine conflict.
Inner City Transformation
"After solar roofs have become standard on single-family homes, the solar boom on balconies is now making its mark on city landscapes," says BSW CEO Körnig. "An increasingly diverse group of people is reaping the rewards of the solar energy transformation."
Balcony power plants allow people to take part in and reap the benefits of the energy transition directly. Although their collective electricity generation is limited, with registered systems boasting a maximum installed capacity of around 0.9 gigawatts, they represent an expanding portion of Germany's solar power production.
Germany's solar power industry is expanding rapidly due to factors like policy support and technological advancements, contributing to a growing number of balcony power plants across the nation.
Key terms:- Balcony power plant- Solar energy- Germany- Federal Network Agency- Verivox- Bonn- Electricity- Plug-in solar device
[1] Data from Market Data Register and BSW estimates indicate the installation of around one million balcony power plants in Germany as of June 2025[2] Verivox survey reveals 17% of respondents planning to install a balcony power plant, while 15% deem it a poor investment[3] Germany hosts over 104 GW of installed solar capacity, with balcony power plants accounting for under 1% of overall installations
- As the number of balcony power plants in Germany reaches one million, according to the Market Data Register and BSW estimates, there is a growing interest in renewable-energy sources within the community, especially in the industry sector, as seen by investments in these petite solar installations.
- With the expansion of solar energy production in Germany, due to policy support and technological advancements, there is a rise in vocational training programs focused on renewable-energy technologies, such as the installation and maintenance of balcony power plants, ensuring the industry's financial growth and energy security.
