Energy transition: The number of balcony power plants is increasing rapidly

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Balcony power plants on a house in Hamburg: special boom as a result of the energy crisis

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Christian Charisius/dpa

Solar cells are hanging on more and more German balconies. In recent years, so-called balcony power plants have experienced a real boom, as they are a relatively simple and affordable way for tenants to participate in the energy transition or simply save on electricity costs.

More than 400,000 of the so-called plug-in solar systems are now in operation, as can be seen from the Federal Network Agency's market master data register as of April 2nd. In the first quarter alone, more than 50,000 systems were registered there. In fact, both figures are likely to be even higher, since on the one hand there are unregistered investments and, on the other hand, investments can also be registered later. For comparison: nine months ago - in mid-2023 - the number of systems reported as being in operation was around 230,000.

The most systems are in North Rhine-Westphalia, with well over 80,000, followed by Bavaria with more than 60,000 and Lower Saxony with more than 50,000. At the beginning of April, almost 50,000 systems were reported for Baden-Württemberg, but the reality here is probably higher. The distribution roughly follows the country and population size, with the city states and Saarland bringing up the rear.

Dispute over the support of domestic manufacturers

The German Solar Industry Association (BSW) believes it is likely that overall demand for solar technology will continue to increase in 2024. However, it is in the nature of things that this cannot be repeated as often as desired. The special economic boom caused by the energy crisis in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine is now ebbing somewhat.

The change in the registration of new balcony power plants that came into force at the turn of the month could help. »Just as every disproportionate market barrier slows down demand. Conversely, almost every reduction in bureaucracy leads to an increase in demand," explains BSW Managing Director Carsten Körnig: "We greatly welcome the simplified registration of plug-in solar devices from April 1st as well as further efforts by the federal governments to reduce bureaucracy." The Federal Network Agency has announced on April 1st April has already simplified the registration of balcony power plants in the market master data register and refers to further planned measures in a planned solar package.

The federal cabinet had already launched a solar package last August. Among other things, it includes the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles for the expansion of solar energy. However, the package has been stuck in parliamentary deliberations for months. What is particularly controversial is the targeted support of the domestic solar industry with tax money in view of dumping prices from Chinese manufacturers. The FDP doesn't want to go along with that. Together with the solar package, the traffic light factions are also negotiating a reform of the climate protection law, which is also controversial. An agreement on both projects could soon be reached.

“We hope that Solar Package I will be passed in the Bundestag in April,” says the BSW. The draft law contains a whole range of measures to reduce bureaucracy, including that balcony power plants no longer have to be reported to the network operator. Registration in the Federal Network Agency's market master data register will then be sufficient.

mik/dpa AFX