Utilizing a battery storage system becomes economical for a balcony-based power plant.
Powering up your balcony: Overproducing electricity? Consider storage.
Having your very own mini power station on your balcony is quite a practical solution for creating electricity for personal use. However, the question of what to do with excess power arises eventually for those who invest in balcony solar devices. These devices can indeed produce a significant amount of solar power - around 550 kilowatt hours annually under optimal conditions, according to Hermann Dinkler, energy expert at TÜV Association, for devices with a power output of 800 watts.
In the absence of energy storage, households can only make use of an average 55-70% of the generated electricity directly, according to TÜV Association. "The demand for electricity typically does not coincide with the midday production peaks," explains Dinkler.
As a solution, battery storage systems are now available as additions to balcony solar devices. These battery systems store excess solar power for later use. According to TÜV Association, affordable options for smaller storage systems with a capacity of less than one kilowatt hour start at around 400 euros.
However, battery storage for balcony solar devices may not be financially viable for everyone, as advised against by the Federal Association of Consumer Centres due to lack of attractive products. For smaller installations with one or two modules, the excess electricity generated may be too small to justify the investment in storage, according to TÜV Association.
Embrace the Sun's Gift: Use at Peak Times
Nonetheless, for larger installations with four or five modules, battery storage can be a sensible option - especially if purchased at an affordable price, according to TÜV Association. Using your own storage systems, such as used car batteries, with your balcony power plant is highly dangerous and is strongly discouraged by the Consumer Centre.
Instead, maximize self-consumption without storage by using electrical appliances during sunny hours, for example, always running the dishwasher during midday when solar production is at its peak. If you're not at home during peak hours, you could use a timer integrated into the devices or rely on time switches.
Anticipate: How Much Power Do I Need?
It's crucial to opt for a system that can meet your household's electricity needs. The German Environment Agency recommends that an affordable module with 400 watts of power may be the most sensible option for some homes.
You can estimate the suitable size for your household more accurately using the plug-in solar simulator of HTW Berlin. The simulator allows you to set various parameters and calculate the utilization rate and savings with different modules. The calculator also offers the option to compare different variants with and without battery storage.
Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the word 'Advising':
The Federal Association of Consumer Centres advises against investing in battery storage for smaller balcony solar device installations due to a lack of attractive products.
For larger balcony solar device installations, TÜV Association advises considering an investment in battery storage, especially if it's affordable.
