Meadow and garden PV: Dr. Metje Consulting introduces innovative mini solar park for home gardens – Image: Xpert.Digital
Garden PV: Innovative solar solution for homes without roof space
Inspired by solar park construction: Professional technology in your own garden
The Kiel-based company Dr. Metje Consulting GmbH is launching a new solution for homeowners who want to use solar energy but lack suitable roof space. Marketed as "garden PV" or "mini solar park," the kit allows for the installation of photovoltaic systems in private gardens, promising easy self-assembly and professional technology from solar park construction.
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The product concept
The new mini solar park from Dr. Metje Consulting is designed for garden owners seeking an alternative to traditional rooftop photovoltaic systems. The system is based on professional solar park construction technology adapted for private use. The basic idea is to utilize unused garden areas for electricity production, especially when a house's roof is unsuitable or too small.
The XXS solar park, as it is called by the manufacturer, requires no roof mounting and can be installed relatively easily using a do-it-yourself method. The design allows DIY enthusiasts to assemble the frame and modules themselves, while only the electrical installation and commissioning must be left to a qualified electrician.
System variants and components
Dr. Metje offers the mini solar park in two different performance variants:
- A smaller version with twelve modules and 5.34 kilowatts of power is available from 5,999 euros
- A larger version with 21 modules and 9.34 kilowatts of power is available from 8,899 euros
Included in the delivery are high-quality components designed to ensure a long service life and reliable performance:
- Glass-glass modules from Trina Solar with an efficiency of 22.8 percent
- 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty on the modules
- A robust substructure made of galvanized steel
- A hybrid inverter from Solax Power with app control
In addition, the company offers optional extensions, including battery storage systems with capacities of three, six or nine kilowatt hours, as well as a wallbox for charging electric vehicles.
Technical details and installation
Space requirements and assembly
The smaller 5.34-kilowatt system requires a garden area of 6.80 by 3.50 meters, which corresponds to a ground area of approximately 24 square meters. A significant advantage of the system is that no concrete foundation is required, which simplifies installation and minimizes soil sealing.
The entire system is delivered on two to four Euro pallets, depending on the chosen variant. This makes transport and handling manageable for DIY enthusiasts.
Approval situation
According to Dr. Metje Consulting, garden photovoltaic systems do not require a building permit in most German states. This is a further advantage over other construction projects, which are often associated with a complex permitting process. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should check local building regulations or contact the manufacturer beforehand.
Economic aspects and market comparison
Pricing
Dr. Metje's mini solar parks start at €5,999 for the 5.34 kW version and rise to €8,899 for the 9.34 kW model. These prices position the product in the mid- to high-end segment of the market for residential photovoltaic systems.
However, a comment on an article about this product criticized the pricing. The commenter argued that a similar solution could be implemented independently for around €2,000, which is significantly less than the price of the finished package. This assessment is based on a calculation of the individual components:
- 13 modules at 420 Wp each (including delivery approx. 850 euros)
- Self-built substructure using materials from the hardware store (approx. 150 euros)
- Cabling (approx. 200 euros)
- Sungrow SH5.0RT inverter (approx. 650 euros)
This price discrepancy reflects the typical difference between complete solutions and DIY approaches, with Dr. Metje's complete package offering additional value such as planning, guarantees and support.
Market classification
Dr. Metje's mini solar park joins a growing market for alternative photovoltaic solutions specifically designed for private users. In addition to traditional rooftop installations, various manufacturers now offer solutions for balconies, gardens, or freestanding structures.
Alternative systems on the market
PV gabion system
As an alternative to Dr. Metje's mini solar park, the supplier Venturama Solar offers a PV gabion system. This system combines photovoltaic modules with gabions (wire baskets filled with stones) as a substructure. The advantages of this system lie in its stability without ground anchoring and its aesthetic integration into the garden design.
The PV gabion system is suitable for various soil types, including flat ground, and can even be installed in water protection areas with the appropriate permits. The price for a system with four JA Solar JAM54D40 modules (450 Wp each) and a Hoymiles HMS-1600 inverter is approximately €999, excluding the stones for filling the gabions.
Mini solar power systems for the electrical socket
Another alternative is plug-and-play mini solar systems that can be connected directly to a standard wall socket. These systems, often called "balcony power plants," consist of one or two solar panels and a module inverter.
Installation is flexible – on the garage roof, in the allotment garden, on the house wall, on the garden fence, or on the balcony railing. These systems, starting at around 500 euros, are significantly cheaper than larger ground-mounted systems, but also offer correspondingly lower performance.
Some of these balcony solar systems are now also available with integrated storage units that can store unused solar power for use at night. For example, BaSBa offers a balcony PV system with 900 Wp PV output and a 1,600 Wh LiFePO4 battery storage system.
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Company background Dr. Metje Consulting
Expertise and portfolio
Dr. Metje Consulting GmbH is an experienced player in the renewable energy sector, based in Kiel. The company has been active in the market for more than 15 years and specializes in the implementation of photovoltaic systems – from large solar parks to commercial rooftop installations in Germany and other European countries.
Previous projects include a 10.46 MW solar park with 9 MW battery storage in Stralsund, a 5.6 MWp solar park Voigdehagen II, a rooftop PV system for the Störtebeker brewery, and a 6.6 MWp solar park in Nunkirchen.
The company offers a comprehensive, worry-free package for PV projects, encompassing development, financing, planning, construction, and service. According to the company, its clients include national and international corporations, owner-managed small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as cities, towns, and municipalities.
Energy transition in the countryside: How the mini solar park opens up new possibilities
With its mini solar park for gardens, Dr. Metje Consulting expands its product range to include a solution for private individuals who want to make their energy supply more sustainable. The system fills a gap for homeowners who don't have suitable roof space for a conventional photovoltaic system, but do have sufficient garden area.
The system's advantages – simple self-assembly, no need for a foundation, high-quality components, and optionally expandable functionality – are offset by a relatively high purchase price. Whether this investment is worthwhile depends on individual factors such as personal electricity consumption, local electricity prices, and any available subsidies.
In the context of the energy transition and the growing need for decentralized power generation, Dr. Metje's mini solar park could be another building block that enables more people to access renewable energy. The increasing variety of photovoltaic solutions – from balcony power plants to gabion systems and mini solar parks – offers consumers greater flexibility in deciding how they want to integrate solar energy into their everyday lives.
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Innovative photovoltaic solution for cost reduction (up to 30%) and time savings (up to 40%)
Innovative photovoltaic solution for cost reduction and time savings - Image: Xpert.Digital
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