What is a Balcony Solar Power Plant?

Table of Contents

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1. What is a Balcony Solar Power Plant?
2. Balcony Solar Power Plant: What are the Advantages?
3. What are the Conditions Required to Install a Balcony Solar Power Station?
4. How Many Years Does It Take to Recover the Cost of Using a Balcony Solar Power Plant?
5. Common Problems and Solutions for Balcony Solar Power Plants

What is a Balcony Solar Power Plant?

Similar to a traditional photovoltaic panel, a Balcony Solar Power Plant is a device designed to generate electricity from solar energy. This green energy generator is specifically tailored for self-consumption, but it comes with a unique feature: it only needs to be plugged into an electrical socket to be used and start generating your own electricity!

This small photovoltaic solar installation is primarily equipped with a built-in micro-inverter, which converts the direct current produced by the solar panels into alternating current compatible with electrical appliances. Moreover, it is entirely portable: you can unplug it, move it, and reconnect it according to your needs. Additionally, Balcony Solar Power Plants can be installed on various surfaces, whether it’s the ground in a garden or courtyard, the flat roof of a garage or garden shed, a terrace, a façade, the railings of a balcony, the roof of a house, or even outdoor tables.

Balcony Solar Power Plant: What are the Advantages?

1.Quick Installation:

Delivered with a simple mounting kit for swift installation of Balcony Solar Power Plants. Accessible to everyone, this task requires no DIY skills, unlike a traditional solar kit. Once plugged in, the solar power station operates instantly.

2.Easy to Use:

The user-friendly nature of the Balcony Solar Power Plant largely explains its popularity. Simply insert the station’s electrical plug into a standard electrical outlet in your primary or secondary residence. In essence, it’s as easy as plugging in your smartphone charger.

3.100% Modular:

The Balcony Solar Power Plant adapts to all surfaces, and its compact size facilitates installation on the ground, a flat roof, a balcony railing, etc. Adding more stations is also very straightforward, allowing you to adjust your solar installation according to your needs.

4.Affordable Price:

A final, significant advantage is its attractive price. The Balcony Solar Power Plant offers one of the most competitive rates in the market! As you can easily install it yourself, you save on professional labor costs.

What are the Conditions Required to Install a Balcony Solar Power Station?

Three conditions are necessary to install a Balcony Solar Power Station:

1.Have a power outlet to plug in the installation.

2.Designate an available surface for the solar panels (approximately 2 m²).

3.Choose the best location to ensure optimal sunlight exposure.

4.When installing on an external wall or balcony, it is important to ensure that the balcony solar power station is securely installed and will not fall off.

Note that to maximize the efficiency of your Balcony Solar Power Station, it is essential to:

1.Orient the panels towards the South.

2.Incline them between 30 and 35º relative to the horizon.

3.Avoid shading.

These criteria help maximize the capture of solar energy by the panels to enhance electricity production.

One of the advantages of Balcony Solar Power Stations is their easy mobility, allowing you to relocate them based on sunlight and seasonal variations throughout the year.

This way, you can generate maximum electricity to power your home!

Maysun Solar Balcony Solar Power Plant offers a comprehensive and convenient solution for harnessing solar energy efficiently and environmentally friendly. Maysun Solar’s Balcony Solar Power Plant come equipped with Data Transfer Unit (DTU) that can freely regulate the generated power, ensuring there is no concern about excessive power that may not be allowed to be installed.

How Many Years Does It Take to Recover the Cost of Using a Balcony Solar Power Plant?

The Maysun Solar Balcony Solar Power Station boasts a relatively short investment payback period of 2-5 years. With annual electricity cost savings ranging from 270 to 350 euros and an annual electricity generation of 800 to 1000 kilowatt-hours, this solar power station allows for the recovery of the initial investment within a comparatively brief timeframe.

Common Problems and Solutions for Balcony Solar Power Plants

Are Balcony Solar Power Plants a Wise Investment?

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The permissible output from plug-in solar panels may not suffice to meet the entire electricity needs of a household, particularly for high-wattage appliances like coffee machines or toasters. However, these panels are capable of fulfilling basic requirements such as charging phones, powering routers, or operating standby devices. A plug-in balcony power station, costing less than EUR 1,000, can prove economically beneficial within a few years if positioned correctly, even with a restricted power output of 600 watts.

Is DIY Installation Feasible for a Balcony Solar Power Plant?

Although this type of balcony solar system is much simpler than a “normal” photovoltaic system, there is still no precise answer to the question of whether you should seek the help of a professional company or install a balcony solar power plant yourself. Due to the simplicity and low effort involved in the construction of these micro PV power plants, anyone with a little bit of manual skill can build and connect the system on their own. The effort and demand for manual skills can be compared to assembling a piece of furniture, so most people should be able to do it without the support of a professional company.

Is a Balcony Solar Power Plant Suitable for a Rental Apartment?

A balcony solar power station proves to be a worthwhile investment for both tenants and owners of rental apartments. Property owners can make a long-term investment in solar energy, enhancing property value and gaining energy independence. Tenants benefit from reduced electricity costs, environmentally friendly energy use, and the flexibility of a easily transportable system. Most countries in Europe such as Germany, France and Italy allow tenants to install balcony solar power plants and do not require government approval before installation, provided that they are installed in an absolutely safe and secure location to avoid falling and injuring pedestrians. Before you install a balcony solar power plant, it is best to talk to your landlord first. If the location of the balcony solar power plant is safe and reasonable enough, then the landlord has no right to stop you from installing and using the solar power plant. Of course, the specific situation is still subject to the laws of each country.

How to Clean a Balcony Solar Power Plant?

Cleaning solar modules on a balcony solar power station can be done using a soft sponge and lime-free water, with rainwater also being suitable. Care should be taken to avoid scratching the modules to ensure optimal performance.

What are some tips for solving common problems with balcony solar power plants?

Ensuring the smooth operation of balcony solar power plants is essential for harnessing renewable energy effectively. While these systems are generally reliable, occasional issues may arise. To troubleshoot common problems, check for poor performance by examining shading issues, dirt, or debris on the solar panels, and inspect for loose connections, tightening or adjusting them as needed. Address inverter problems by examining connections and consulting the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide. If issues persist, seek professional assistance. For battery capacity concerns, inspect connections, refer to the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide, and contact the dealer or manufacturer if problems persist. Implement regular system monitoring to catch potential issues early and prevent more significant problems. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can ensure the efficient operation of your balcony solar power plant, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and experiencing savings on your electricity bills. Embrace solar power on your balcony today!

Maysun Solar has been specialising in producing high quality photovoltaic modules since 2008. In addition to the Balcony Solar Power Station, Maysun Solar offers wide variety of full black, black frame, silver, and glass-glass solar panels that utilise half-cut, MBB, IBC, and Shingled technologies. These panels offer superior performance and stylish designs that seamlessly blend in with any building. Maysun Solar successfully established offices, warehouses, and long-term relationships with excellent installers in numerous countries! Please contact us for the latest module quotations or any PV-related inquiries. We are excited to assist you.

Reference：

DualSun. (2024, January 2). Panneau solaire plug and play | Intéressant ou pas ? (Guide 2024). https://dualsun.com/blog/technologie-solaire/panneau-solaire-plug-and-play/

Dubois, A. (2024, January 4). Comment choisir son kit solaire pour l’autoconsommation en 2024 ? Azaneo. https://azaneo.com/news/comment-choisir-son-kit-solaire-pour-lautoconsommation/

Solar power: from the balcony right into the plug. (n.d.). https://www.adesso.de/en/news/blog/solar-power-from-the-balcony-right-into-the-plug-2.jsp

Balcony power plants | Purchase, delivery and assembly. (2023, October 5). The Logistics Blog. https://www.logisticspeople-community.com/industry-insight/solar-power-from-your-balcony/

Chall, I. (2023, August 4). Schwestern, zur Sonne, zur Freiheit: Unser Balkonkraftwerk – PV-Anlage in Kleinformat. blickgewinkelt. https://blickgewinkelt.de/balkonkraftwerk-installieren/

Cramm, A. (2023, August 15). Installation und Wartung von Balkonkraftwerken – Ein Leitfaden. Paua Solutions. https://paua.co/en/blogs/news/installation-und-wartung-von-balkonkraftwerken-ein-leitfaden

Koch, R. (2023, September 26). Balcony power plant – FAQ – CLIP’N’SHADE. CLIP’N’SHADE. https://clipnshade.de/en/balkonkraftwerk-faq/

Ladendorf, P. (2024, January 26). FAQ: Balcony Solar. We Do Solar. https://we.do.solar/blogs/international/faq-balcony-solar

Redaktion, & Redaktion. (2023, December 24). Balkonkraftwerk – Der komplette Guide mit Aufbau, Funktion und Kosten. Photovoltaik.one. https://photovoltaik.one/balkonkraftwerk

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Balcony solar is a hot topic, as households living in apartments mostly have just their balcony to install solar panels onto. Before installing solar panels on your balcony you should consider a few key aspects to make sure you convert your balcony into a solar balcony the right way.

What type of solar panels are right for my balcony?

If you consider installing solar panels on your balcony, the first question that comes to mind is the weight of the panel and the installation process. Balcony installations of 1 or 2 panels can be done by everybody and have the advantage of not requiring an installer or electrician, as their output is usually lower than 800 W. But can you handle a panel that weighs 20-25 kg? And even more importantly, can your balcony’s railing support the weight and withstand possible wind on the solar panel? If the answer is yes, you’ll be able to enjoy a lot of free solar power from your solar panel on your balcony.

Alternatively, there are lightweight, flexible solar panels available, like the ones we use in our Robinsun Light kits. These weigh about 20% of a conventional solar panel, and produce about 70-80% of the output. They can be mounted using stainless steel cable binders in just a few minutes, and are a very convenient option for balconies.

How to maximize the production of my solar panels on a balcony

Wherever you install solar panels, their production will always depend on the angle and orientation of installation. On a balcony railing the orientation is normally given. If you’re lucky, it is south facing and you will produce the most. If it is East facing you will produce in the morning, West facing in the afternoon. The angle is trickier. In the northern hemisphere panels produce best at a 30-35 degree angle. That is almost impossible to achieve on a balcony railing,  but very much possible on a pergola or flat rooftop.

When installing solar panels on a balcony railing, already giving them a little angle, for example with our 60 degree mount, increases production significantly compared to a fully vertical installation. While there are mount solutions for conventional solar panels, for ultra-lightweight panels there aren’t any. And even if there were, the flexibility of these panels would make installation difficult. Of course you can always get a custom mount done to solve this issue, if you know how to do this and where.

Managing neighbors, city councils and regulations

When installing solar panels on your balcony, think about safety and regulations. Installing a conventional solar panel on a balcony at height with foot traffic under it might not be allowed where you live. But beware whom you ask, since we’ve heard of a lot of unqualified “no” answers to this question. Check the exact legislation.

Also be mindful of norms related to cultural heritage buildings in Europe’s city centers. Other norms might apply, that relate to installations on facades, that you might know from installing air conditioners, pergolas or awnings.

And last but not least, don’t forget your neighbors. You might be obliged by law to ask for permission. But beyond the law, experience shows us that there is always somebody around that has an objection to whatever you install in your balcony, whether that is a solar kit or anything else. Our advice: tell them how much you save with your plug & play solar kit, and how little you paid, and they might likely change their mind if they see they can save big as well.

Conclusions

In a nutshell, a balcony is a great place to install solar panels for households living in apartments, since it’s likely the only place that gets a lot of sunshine during the day that you can access for the installation. Respecting safety aspects and regulations is key, therefore buy your kit from an expert that can provide you with advice for your specific balcony and sells you kits that are safe, compliant and easy to install yourself. Try to give your kit an angle, to maximize production, and you will cut your power consumption in sunshine hours by quite a lot. This makes you save big on your power bills.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Balcony Solar System.