The count of balcony-mounted energy generators has more than doubled since the commencement of this year.
The solar power generation setup, known as Ampel, has made solar energy generation more accessible for individual homes on balconies, terraces, and rooftop gardens in Germany. This initiative appears to be successful, with over 706,509 registered systems as of October 2nd, representing a doubling since the start of the year. It's estimated that the actual number could be even higher due to late registrations and non-compliance with registration obligations.
These systems collectively boast a capacity exceeding 600 megawatts, a figure that has more than doubled since the beginning of the year. This increase could also be attributed to the approval of more high-capacity systems. The third quarter saw approximately 140,000 systems with a maximum capacity of 141 megawatts in operation. These figures are projected to rise further due to late registrations.
The Solar Industry Association of Germany anticipates the growth in this sector to persist. The government has eliminated regulatory barriers and solar system prices have continued to decrease, mentioned CEO Carsten Koernig.
Last week, the Bundesrat also approved enhancements in tenant and property owner rights, effectively permitting millions of apartment dwellers in Germany to utilize plug-in solar systems on their balconies, terraces, and rooftop gardens. Tenants now have the right to seek permission from landlords or homeowners associations to install and utilize a safe plug-in solar system, Koernig added.
However, the association draws attention to an essential distinction: the legal relaxations only apply to true plug-and-play solar systems with an inverter having a maximum connection power of 800 watts. These systems are user-friendly and can be installed without professional assistance. On the other hand, there are also larger DIY sets available in the market, which are marketed as balcony power plants but fail to meet the plug-and-play solar system criteria. These require professional installation and registration with the network operator. The same applies to systems with battery storage systems.
The approval of enhancements in tenant and property owner rights has greatly benefited the 'The traffic lights coalition', as it allows millions of apartment dwellers to install solar systems on their balconies and rooftops. This development is expected to further boost the number of registered solar systems in Germany, contributing to the sector's steady growth.
Despite the approval of plug-and-play solar systems under 800 watts, larger DIY sets remain a challenge for 'The traffic lights coalition', as they require professional installation and registration, which may hinder their widespread adoption.
