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Balcony Power Plant: Technical and Legal Requirements Icon

Technical and Legal Requirements

Updated: December 2025

Before purchasing a balcony power plant, technical, structural and legal requirements must be checked. This article includes the changes from Solar Package 1 (implemented 2024) plus clarifications from autumn 2025.

Technical Requirements

Mechanical and Structural Requirements

Before you buy, you should check the following points:

Question What to check?
Does the balcony power plant fit? Check module dimensions
Is there enough space? Plan min. 1.7 m² per module
Is the structure strong enough? Check load capacity of balcony/railing
How will it be mounted? Choose suitable bracket
Wind and weather protection? Ensure storm-proof mounting

Weight and Structural Capacity

Component Typical weight
Solar module (400 Wp) 18–22 kg
Inverter 1–3 kg
Bracket 3–8 kg
Total per module approx. 25–35 kg

Important: For older balconies or railings, have the structural capacity checked. If in doubt, consult a specialist.

Electrical Requirements (as of 12/2025)

Requirement Details
Inverter VDE-AR-N 4105:2024-07 (protection and shutdown requirements)
Max. AC feed-in 800 W active power per household
Max. module power 2,000 Wp per balcony power plant
Plug device Schuko up to 800 W explicitly permitted per DIN VDE V 0628-1; Wieland optional
Electricity meter Bidirectional meter or modern metering device/smart meter; Ferraris meters not permitted
RCD/RCBO Type A ≥ 30 mA (for older systems check Type A-EV/B if needed)
Cable UV-resistant, adequate cross-section, strain-relieved and weatherproof installation

Weather and Location Conditions

Optimal Tilt Angle

Optimal tilt angle Tilt angle depending on orientation and season

Orientation Optimal tilt angle
South 30°–35°
East/West 0°–15°
North 0°–20° (low yield)

Seasonal Differences

Season Recommended angle Reason
Summer 20°–30° Sun is high
Winter 35°–40° Sun is low
Year-round optimal 30°–35° Compromise

Effect on Efficiency

Efficiency depending on tilt and azimuth 3D representation: Optimal at south with 30°–35° tilt

Orientation (Azimuth)

Orientation Relative yield Recommendation
South (0°) 100% Ideal
Southeast/Southwest 95% Very good
East/West 80–85% Good
Northeast/Northwest 60–70% Conditionally suitable
North 50–60% Not recommended

Shading

Shading is one of the biggest yield killers:

Shading type Effect Solution
Permanent shade (buildings) Strongly negative Change location
Temporary shade (trees) Moderately negative Optimisers/module inverters
Partial shading Negative Bypass diodes in module

Tip: Use online tools like the PVGIS calculator from the EU to calculate the expected yield for your location.

Legal Requirements (as of 12/2025)

Solar Package 1 has been implemented: 800 W AC, 2,000 Wp modules and Schuko are permitted; registration processes have been simplified.

Technical Limits per EEG / DIN

Requirement Value
Max. module power 2,000 Wp per system
Max. inverter power 800 W AC feed-in
Grid operator notification Simplified notification; many operators retrieve data from MaStR
MaStR registration Mandatory (simplified questionnaire)
Plug device Schuko up to 800 W permitted; Wieland optional

Important Laws and Standards

Law/Standard Content
EEG § 3 No. 43 Definition of balcony power plant
EEG § 2 Para. 12 Technical requirements
WEG/BGB Right to balcony power plant for tenants
VDE-AR-N 4105:2024-07 Technical connection requirements
DIN VDE V 0628-1 Plug-ready generation systems (Schuko)
UStG 0% VAT on PV systems

Tenant Rights Since 2024

  • Tenants have a fundamental right to a balcony power plant.
  • Landlords can only refuse for compelling technical reasons.
  • No intervention in building fabric required (consider clamp brackets/heavy-duty anchors).

Registration in the Market Master Data Register

Since 2024, only registration in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR) is required.

Step by Step

  1. Visit the website: www.marktstammdatenregister.de
  2. Start registration: "Register a system"
  3. Select system type: Solar system → Plug-ready solar system
  4. Complete questionnaire: Location, power, commissioning date
  5. Create user account (if not already existing)
  6. Enter technical data: Meter number, module power, inverter power
  7. Complete and receive confirmation

Note: Off-grid systems without grid connection are exempt from the registration requirement.

Required Data

Data Source
Personal data Name, address
Location Address, coordinates if applicable
Module power (Wp) Module datasheet
Inverter power (W) Inverter datasheet
Meter number Read from electricity meter
Commissioning date Date of first feed-in

Feed-in Tariff

Aspect Details
Tariff possible? Theoretically yes, practically rarely economical
Tariff level Approx. 8 ct/kWh (as of 2025)
Effort High administrative effort
Recommendation Maximise self-consumption

In Brief: The feed-in tariff is hardly worthwhile for balcony power plants. Every kWh consumed saves approx. 30–35 ct compared to grid purchase.

Checklist: Am I Ready?

Technical:

  • [ ] Space for 1–2 modules
  • [ ] Load-bearing structure (balcony/railing)
  • [ ] Socket within reach
  • [ ] Bidirectional meter / modern metering device

Environment:

  • [ ] Good orientation (south, southeast, southwest)
  • [ ] No or minimal shading
  • [ ] Tilt angle adjustable

Legal:

  • [ ] Landlord informed (for rented accommodation)
  • [ ] MaStR registration planned

Conclusion

In Brief: Good south orientation, minimal shading and 30°–35° tilt deliver the best yield. Legally, 800 W AC suffices, Schuko up to 800 W is permitted, and a brief online registration in the Market Master Data Register completes the formalities.

Back to overview: All Balcony Power Plant Articles

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