Germany: Installing balcony solar power systems should be made easier

Installing so-called balcony solar power systems in German households should be made easier by reducing regulatory barriers. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) proposes this in a new draft law, reports German news agency AFP.

The draft law would make it easier to connect small photovoltaic systems designed for balconies or building facades by easing legal requirements, giving tenants the right to operate these systems in rented apartments, and allowing the systems to be plugged into standard sockets.

More and more people are driving their own #energytransition with balcony power plants. The BMWK is supporting them and working with others to make installation & operation even easier: for more #climateaction, energy independence and affordable electricity from their own balcony.

— Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (@BMWK) May 24, 2023

The Ministry for Economic Affairs also wants to allow the connection of systems with an installed capacity of up to 800 watts, compared with the current limit of 600 watts. Currently, consumers wishing to install balcony solar power systems face obstacles such as having to replace their electricity meter, obtain the landlord’s consent, and fill out two separate registration forms to register with the grid regulator and the local electricity network operator.