Balcony solar
What applies to plug-in solar devices in 2026: 800 VA and 2,000 Wp, registration in the Marktstammdatenregister, tenants' rights, plugs, yield and insurance.
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Balcony solar system: is it worth it?
How much electricity does a balcony solar system (Balkonkraftwerk) produce, how much of it do you use yourself, and when has it paid for itself? The calculator uses rule-of-thumb values for Germany.
Result
- Savings per year
- Yield per year
- Of which used yourself
- Pays for itself after about
Would you like a specific quote? We compare the tariffs of the suppliers we work with and send you a quote as a PDF.
Request a quoteThe results are non-binding estimates for guidance only. What counts is your bill, your contract and your supplier's prices.
How it is calculated
Yield = module power × rule-of-thumb value per Wp. As an example, the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) gives a 400 W module mounted vertically on an unshaded south-facing balcony, with about 280 kWh a year – that is around 0.7 kWh per Wp. Tilted towards the south (about 30°), the yield is highest; for this, the calculator assumes 0.95 kWh per Wp, and for east or west 0.8 (tilted) or 0.5 (vertical). These rule-of-thumb values are our own assumptions; the actual yield depends on location, angle and shade.
Savings = electricity you use yourself × electricity price. Payback = costs ÷ savings per year.
- The inverter may feed in no more than 800 W. On very sunny middays, this can limit the yield slightly.
- No VAT is charged when you buy privately.
Worked example: 800 Wp on a south-facing balcony
Two modules with a total of 800 Wp hang vertically on a south-facing balcony. This gives around 560 kWh a year. If the household uses 70% of it itself, that is 392 kWh. At 37 ct/kWh, it saves around €145 a year. If the system cost €500, it pays for itself after about 3.4 years.
- Yield per year: 560 kWh
- Savings per year: €145
- Pays for itself after about: 3.4 years
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to register a balcony solar system?
Yes, in the Marktstammdatenregister (core energy market data register) of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). A separate registration with the network operator is no longer needed for the device itself.
Can I install a balcony solar system as a tenant?
You need your landlord's consent. Since October 2024, the landlord may only refuse it for good reasons, for example if the installation would be unreasonable for them.
How do I increase self-consumption?
By running appliances during the day when the sun is shining, for example the washing machine or dishwasher. A battery storage system increases self-consumption but costs extra.
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