Balcony solar systems are currently a hot topic, and you can hardly go anywhere without hearing about them. They offer a practical solution for city dwellers and tenants who want to switch to solar power without the need to have their own roof space. But is a balcony solar system really worth it for everyone, and what exactly is a balcony solar system?
A balcony solar system is a compact photovoltaic system designed specifically for installation on balconies, terraces, or in small gardens. These systems convert sunlight directly into electrical energy, which can either be used immediately or fed into the public grid. Another option is to buy a balcony solar system with storage. This can be, for example, a power station or a complete storage system . This way, you can store and use the electricity even when the sun is not shining.
But balcony solar systems not only offer advantages, but there are also some hurdles you need to overcome:
Power limitations
Due to their size, balcony solar systems have limited capacity and generally cannot cover the entire energy needs of a household. You are therefore still dependent on the public electricity grid.
Dependence on weather conditions
Like all solar systems, balcony solar systems are dependent on sunlight. In regions with fewer hours of sunshine, the energy yield may be lower.
Regulatory restrictions
In some regions, there are specific regulations for the installation and use of balcony solar systems. In Germany, there is currently a 600 W limit on the inverter. Furthermore, a balcony solar system must be registered, and a new electricity meter that cannot count backward must be installed. In Austria, however, balcony solar systems with an inverter of up to 800 W may be used. The solar system must be registered with the grid operator. However, a complex permit is not required.
Before you prematurely dismiss the topic of balcony solar systems again, you should take a look at the benefits of balcony solar systems so that you can then decide whether a balcony solar system is really worth it:
Reduction in electricity costs
Balcony solar systems can make a significant contribution to reducing your monthly electricity bill. If you are at home during the day and do not need much electricity in the evening, you can generate and use almost all your own electricity on sunny days.
Easy installation
Many models are designed for quick and easy assembly and often do not require a professional for installation. The PowerStream from EcoFlow can be connected directly to the solar panels from Wattstunde . To match this, there are also mounts in the online shop, or the whole thing directly as a complete set.
Subsidies and feed-in tariffs
In some countries, there are financial incentives, such as feed-in tariffs or tax breaks, to promote the use of balcony solar systems. There is no central overview of all subsidies. However, it is advisable to ask your local municipality or city administration directly about current subsidy options, as these programs are frequently updated and can vary from region to region. These local programs are a valuable resource to reduce the purchase costs of balcony solar systems and increase their attractiveness.
To find out whether a balcony solar system is right for you, here are a few tips for decision-making:
Evaluation of the location
Check whether your balcony or carport receives enough sunlight for the system to operate efficiently. There are different mounts for most balcony solar systems, so you can choose the location of the system. In the Solarkontor online shop, for example, there are mounts for flat roofs and balconies. However, you also have the option to attach the solar panels to the wall or on the roof.
Analysis of your own electricity needs
Determine your average electricity consumption to determine the size of the balcony solar system you need.
Budgeting:
When planning your budget, you should not only consider the purchase costs, but also the question of how much of the generated electricity you can actually use yourself. For profitability, the system size, the building situation, your electricity consumption, and the decision for a system with or without storage are particularly relevant.
A balcony solar system without storage is in many cases the easier and more economical entry point. The investment is lower, the system remains technically manageable, and the benefits are especially evident when there is a constant electricity consumption during the day.
A balcony solar system with storage can make sense if a larger part of the electricity consumption occurs in the evening hours. At the same time, storage significantly increases the total costs and is therefore not a standard solution, but a question of individual usage profile.
Whether a balcony solar system is worth it therefore cannot be answered with fixed price information. What matters are your self-consumption, the electricity price, the orientation of the location, and the technical design of the system. A reliable assessment should therefore always be based on a concrete calculation and not on blanket price or payback statements.
If you want to check whether a balcony solar system pays off in your situation, the next sensible step is an individual calculation based on your consumption and planned usage.
Is a balcony solar system worth it for you?
Whether a balcony solar system is worth it depends on consumption, location, orientation, and usage profile. For an initial assessment based on typical guidelines, you can use our balcony solar system calculator.
