Balcony solar: 600W balcony power plant with storage as a balcony solar system - advice from Xpert.Solar

Approval-free and plug-in mini PV systems are small solar systems with a maximum of 2 solar modules and inverters with an output power of up to 600 VA (Germany) or 800 VA (EU regulation). They can be connected directly to a Schuko socket or to your own private circuit via an appropriate energy plug device.

Ready-to-plug-in mini PV systems, balcony power plants or balcony solar – Image: Xpert.Digital

The following topics are addressed:

• The background: What you should know about it
• Briefly about DKE, VDE, DIN
• VDE is neither mandatory nor a legal basis
• The CE requirement!
• EU: Network rules should apply from 800 watts - not in Germany!
• Cable fire if the power line is overloaded?
• Schuko or energy plug device?
• The limit: Plug-in mini PV systems with a maximum of 2 solar modules
• Purchase recommendation, guide price: 600 watts / VA balcony solar, plug-in mini PV system
• Purchase recommendation, guide price: 700 watts / VA balcony solar, plug-in mini PV system
• Purchase recommendation, guide price: 800 watts / VA balcony solar, plug-in mini PV system
• Options
• Ready-to-plug mini PV systems for industry, retail and municipalities
• For solar engineers, plumbers, electricians and roofers
• For private households

More about it here:

• PV / Solar & Buying Guide: Ready-to-plug-in mini PV system 600 / 800 watts / VA and more – purchase recommendation

Compared to photovoltaic open-space systems or solar systems on the roof, balcony solar systems and solar carports still a fairly new segment of the photovoltaic industry. The advantages of small solar power plants are obvious: the electricity you produce when there is enough sunshine can be used directly in the household for your own needs. Since modern PV systems have a line of 150 to 600 watts, they can produce up to 600 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. In this way, up to 20% of annual electricity consumption can be saved in households.

In addition to the costs, the main advantages of plug-in systems are the simple construction and the uncomplicated connection to household electricity. What is particularly interesting for tenants is that the space-saving modules can just as easily be uninstalled from the balcony or terrace if you move. This makes them the ideal electricity generator for private consumers who are interested in the environmentally friendly generation of green electricity for their own needs.

The first silicon photovoltaic cell was developed in 1954. Photovoltaic technology has continued to expand since around 1980 until today. The first patent for solar roof tiles dates back to 1993. In 2005, the solar park the largest solar park in the world with 10 megawatts (MW). Only the newer and more powerful solar modules of recent years have been suitable for generating energy via so-called balcony power plants.

With a balcony solar system, solar power is generated directly where it is needed. Compared to a rooftop solar system, it is easy to install. Easy to dismantle and transport when moving. It is space-saving and handy. Above all, it is completely uncomplicated to connect to your own household network. Plug in and you're done.

The space-saving and handy attachment of the modules to the balcony, thanks to the simple plug & play design in comparison, opens a door for a still young and unused market. In 2020, there were around 58.67 million people in the German-speaking population with a balcony or terrace.

Number of people in Germany who have a balcony or terrace

Balcony owners – Interesting market for balcony solar – Image: Xpert.Digital

Survey in Germany on the ownership of a balcony or terrace by 2020

2020

• 58.67 million – Yes, have a balcony or terrace
• 11.97 million – No, I don’t have a balcony or terrace

2019

• 58.21 million – Yes, have a balcony or terrace
• 12.39 million – No, I don’t have a balcony or terrace

The balcony power plants are particularly suitable for covering the basic consumption of permanently active devices such as refrigerators and chests, WLAN routers or the many electronic systems that run on standby. In addition, a plug-and-play balcony solar system provides valuable services when operating air conditioning systems. Due to increasingly hot summers, these are becoming increasingly popular in this country and are increasingly being used in households. Since they provide relief, especially during the day, they can be ideally supplied with the solar energy produced during the day. In this way, the small power guzzlers don't tear too big a hole in a household's energy balance.

There are also numerous other options for house and garden owners or tenants to use the mini PV system efficiently. They can be used to ensure warmer water temperatures in the pools that are being set up in more and more gardens. Since heating your own swimming pool makes it possible to use it throughout the hot summer months, there is nothing standing in the way of extended bathing pleasure at significantly reduced electricity costs. The same applies to the operation of small greenhouses, which require electricity to create a warmer microclimate, which they receive from the plug-in systems.

Regardless of whether devices provide energy for indoor or outdoor use, the excess power theoretically flows back into the general circuit if there is no power storage available. However, since these quantities are very small and are not provided permanently, agreeing on a feed-in tariff with the electricity supplier is generally not worthwhile.

Instead, integrating additional energy storage brings further advantages. It means that the solar energy generated during the day can be used to build up reserves for times when there is little sun or at night. Users of their own balcony solar system only have to obtain the electricity they need from the network operator during times without sunlight. In this way, you save money month after month and can at the same time do your part for the energy transition.

An example: The energy storage system to optimize the proportion of your own electricity consumption

Energy Storage System (ESS) from LG Electronics

LG Electronics offers energy storage systems (ESS) to optimize self-consumption. The emergency power supply can be ensured via an additional switch box. The web monitoring function allows installers and users to check the system status at any time and from anywhere.

👉🏻 Here you can calculate the electricity savings with an electricity storage system yourself.

👉🏻 How much do you save with battery storage? Here you can use the Berlin University of Applied Sciences' independence calculator to calculate how efficient your storage is .

Manufacturer of photovoltaic power storage / battery inverters

👉🏻 At Alpha Solar you can find the energy storage system from LG Electronics for EUR 6,748.00 including 19% VAT and meter . *1 advertisement

👉🏻 For further questions and advice, you can contact us here at any time.

Balcony solar with 630 Wp (and more possible), mini solar system in the plug and play version

A balcony power plant may not have more than 600 watts if you carry out the installation without an electrician. Since the end of April 2019, an electrician has not been required to register your own balcony power plant with the current electricity provider. For further information, simply ask the relevant electricity provider for your home network. As a rule, there is already a separate online registration for such mini PV systems.

Matches:

• Mini PV systems – the extra portion of energy
• Plug-in solar device – the solar system for balconies and gardens, particularly interesting for long-term campers

At Alpha-Solar you will find various balcony solar systems or balcony power plants. The selection ranges from 315 Wp to 1360 Wp. The best-known solar module brands from JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Q CELLS and Haitai Solar are offered. These mini solar systems are simple and can be used as a plug and play version. As an alternative to shipping, Alpha-Solar also offers collection. So-called Alpha-Solar pick-up stations are spread across the country, where the balcony solar systems can also be picked up. This saves freight costs. Prices range from 278 to 1,078 euros.

👉🏻 Overview of balcony solar systems from 315 Wp to 1360 Wp at Alpha-Solar . *1 advertisement

👉🏻 For further questions and advice, you can contact us here at any time.

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