Balcony Solar Systems - Cable

A balcony power plant is a small plug-in photovoltaic system: solar panels, an inverter and a connection cable feed electricity into the home’s mains supply via a socket, where it is used directly by the fridge, router or washing machine. The kits here range from 840 to 4,000 watts peak, with or without a battery.

What kits are available

Most kits consist of two or four modules, whilst some consist of three or eight. The modules used are glass-on-glass types with black frames: JA Solar with 455, 460, 465 and 500 W, ‘Trina Vertex S+’ with 470 W and ‘Solitek Blackstar’ with 420 W. ‘Glass-on-glass’ means that both the front and back are made of glass; the module absorbs less moisture and is more mechanically robust.

The output power is taken from the data sheets for the inverters and storage systems. The inverter converts the direct current from the modules into alternating current and limits the amount of power fed into the domestic grid. It is therefore not a contradiction for the module output to exceed the feed-in power: in the mornings, evenings and on overcast days, the modules operate closer to this limit for longer periods. When referring to a 800-watt balcony power plant, this refers to the power at the inverter, not that of the modules.

With or without a storage system

Without a storage system, the balcony power plant only utilises the electricity that is consumed at the very moment it is generated. This works well if base-load appliances are running during the day, such as fridges, routers or a home office. The options are listed under Balcony power plants without storage.

With storage, the day’s surplus is saved for the evening. The basic units have a capacity of 2.05 kWh (NOAH 2000, NEXA 2000) or 2.69 kWh (Anker SOLIX Solarbank 3 E2700 Pro) and, according to the manufacturer, can be expanded. All sets with a battery are listed under Balcony power plants with storage, categorised by storage type – for example, the balcony power plants with NOAH 2000; individual storage units for retrofitting can be found under Storage units for balcony power plants. The data sheets for both devices will show whether a storage unit is compatible with an existing inverter.

What’s included in the set

Each set contains the modules and, depending on the design, the micro inverter, the storage unit or both. The Growatt sets with a NEO inverter include a five-metre-long connection cable with a Schuko plug, as does the Deye set. Many sets with four or eight modules include Y-splitters that connect two modules to a single input. The exact list of components is provided in the description of each set.

Mounting brackets are not included, as they depend on the installation location: balcony railing, house wall, flat roof or garden. Suitable parts can be found under Mounting framework. Take the weight into account: most modules measure 1,762 × 1,134 mm and weigh 21 to 22 kg, whilst the 500-W module from JA Solar, at 1,953 mm in length, weighs a good 27 kg.

Registration and legal framework

Under Solar Package I, simplified rules have applied to balcony power plants – referred to in the law as ‘plug-in solar devices’ – since 16 May 2024. Under Section 8(5a) of the EEG, devices with a combined installed capacity of up to 2 kW and an inverter capacity of up to 800 VA may be connected to an end consumer’s domestic electricity supply network, provided that any surplus electricity fed into the grid is done so without remuneration. In such cases, no additional notification to the grid operator may be required. Registration in the Federal Network Agency’s market master data register remains mandatory; for plug-in solar systems, the register only requires a small amount of information. The limits apply to all systems connected to a single connection point collectively.

Two groups in the product range exceed these limits: the storage sets with eight modules (3,640 to 4,000 Wp module power) and the set featuring the Growatt NEO 2000M-X2, whose inverter has a rated power of 2,000 VA according to the data sheet. For these sets, please check with your grid operator before purchasing to clarify how they should be connected and registered.

For photovoltaic systems and their essential components, no value added tax is charged where the conditions of Section 12 (3) of the German VAT Act (UStG) are met. You state during the ordering process whether they apply to you.

If you have more space than a balcony and wish to have the system permanently connected, you’ll find the next size up in the complete PV kits.

Frequently asked questions about balcony power plants

What is the maximum output allowed for a balcony power plant?

Under the simplified rules set out in Section 8(5a) of the EEG, the installed capacity may be up to 2 kW and the inverter capacity up to 800 VA, calculated as the total for all plug-in solar devices connected to a single socket.

Do I need to register a balcony power plant?

Yes, with the Federal Network Agency’s Market Master Data Register. Since 16 May 2024, there has been no need for an additional notification to the grid operator for systems within the limits; the grid operator receives the data via the register.

Is a mounting bracket included in the set?

No. The kits contain modules, inverters or storage units and, where specified, cables and distribution boxes. You choose the mounting bracket to suit your railing, wall or flat roof.

How much electricity does a balcony power plant with a storage unit store?

The base unit has a capacity of 2.05 kWh for the NOAH 2000 and NEXA 2000 models, and 2.69 kWh for the Anker SOLIX Solarbank 3 E2700 Pro. According to the manufacturer, this capacity can be increased with expansion batteries.

Which modules are installed?

Glass-glass modules from JA Solar (455 to 500 W), Trina Vertex S+ (470 W) and Solitek Blackstar (420 W), all with black frames.

Is VAT payable on the balcony power plant?

For photovoltaic systems and their essential components, no value added tax is charged where the conditions of Section 12 (3) of the German VAT Act (UStG) are met. You state during the ordering process whether they apply to you.