The installation of solar panels on home balconies is widely popular in Germany, with a significant increase in their number in 2024.

There is a notable need in Germany for the installation of solar panels specifically designed for balconies.

Jens Sachs admits that he has become addicted to notifications about the performance of the solar panels on his balcony, regarding the amount of electricity produced, the financial savings the panels have provided, and other data.

Although the photovoltaic cells installed at the back of Sax's house in northern Berlin generate a modest amount of energy in winter, the 50-year-old man, who monitors their real-time production via his smartphone, confirms that their installation last August allowed him to save 79 euros.

The year 2024 witnessed an increase in the number of solar energy systems dedicated to balconies by more than double, officially surpassing 800,000 units, which is ten times what it was in 2022.

Leonard Probst from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Research confirms that the actual number is significantly higher, as "many of these small installations remain unreported."

Solar panels for balconies are widely available due to their ease of installation and direct connection to a regular electrical socket. Compared to rooftop installations, their cost is significantly lower.

These small power stations only cover a part of the household's consumption due to their limited production capacity; they are suitable for charging a computer, for example, or running a dishwasher. However, they play a role in the energy transition in Germany, according to the marketers of this technology.

Educational role

The country with the largest economy in Europe aims to reach a share of renewable electricity equal to 80% of total electricity consumption by 2030. Renewable energy sources constituted 59% of electricity production last year, with photovoltaics accounting for 14.6% of that.

Of the total photovoltaic capacity in Germany, which is nearing 100 gigawatts, balcony solar panels provide between 1.6 and 2.4 gigawatts, or about 2%, according to Leonard Probst.

While the expert expects this modest contribution to continue growing, he sees another benefit to the phenomenon of balcony solar panel groups: "There is an educational impact as it introduces a wider audience to solar technology and might encourage them to invest in installing larger solar power systems." Oliver Lang, who runs a company for photovoltaic energy solutions, notes that customers have become more diverse and seem enthusiastic about balcony solar panels.

The head of " Sonnenrepublik" explains, "In the beginning, it was a very small sector. We started selling the panels six years ago, and the demand for them was very limited."

"It all started during the COVID-19 pandemic when people had more time," he continues. "Then the war in Ukraine broke out, and there was a general fear of being without electricity, followed by government support for these products."

"For all budgets"

Electricity prices in Germany have stabilized after peaking in 2022, but they remain among the highest in Europe. Opinion polls indicate that families in the European country, preparing for elections on February 23rd, are primarily concerned about the rising cost of living.

At the beginning of 2024, Christoph Stadelman, a 60-year-old teacher in Frankfurt (Western Germany), installed a solar unit at a cost of 650 euros, with the municipality subsidizing half of the cost. He hopes to recover his investment "within three years at most."

As for "regular photovoltaic solar power systems with higher capacity, the initial investment is around 15,000 euros, and it requires compensation over 15 years," Lang estimates.

The German authorities encouraged the flourishing of solar energy on balconies by easing registration requirements and removing the condition for tenants to obtain the landlord's approval.

Jens's wife, Miriam Sachs, suggests installing one or two panels on a balcony that receives some sunlight to determine its potential benefits. It's simple, and there are solutions for every budget."

Christian Offenhauser, founder of "EmpowerSource" in Berlin, says that the easing of regulatory restrictions has made Germany "the leading country in Europe for balcony solar energy." Estimates place the number of installed units at around three million.