Balcony Solar Power in Germany: A Promising Market
Dieterich German Residents Reveal Support for Solar Balcony Installations
Looks like a quarter of Germans are flirting with the idea of harnessing solar power right at their doorstep! In a recent survey by Verivox, it was found that 25% of the population is open to the concept of installing balcony solar panels, with 9% already having them and 17% planning to buy one.
So, what's the hold-up for the rest? Well, around 21% of respondents said they simply don't have the space. Meanwhile, 15% think the investment isn't worth it, and about 38% are still undecided or don't want one right now. The survey, conducted by Innofact in March 2023, surveyed 1007 individuals and was weighted to be representative of the population.
Now, let's talk savings. A balcony solar panel capable of cranking out 800 watts of power could yield around 760 kWh of electricity per year under optimal conditions. If you self-consume 60% of that, you're looking at approximately 160 euros in savings per year, courtesy of an average kilowatt-hour price of 34.7 cents. Not too shabby!
But, here's the catch - a decent-sized solar panel for a balcony could set you back between 500 and 800 euros. However, after two and a half to five years, the initial investment should be covered, thanks to the saved electricity costs. Considering it could run for 20 years, you'd save around 3160 euros in the long run. In some German states, subsidies are even available for the purchase of balcony solar panels.
On the technology front, even if the plant isn't perfectly positioned for optimal production, it can still be profitable, albeit with a longer payback period. The sole determinant of the system's yield is its orientation. Unsurprisingly, a south-facing balcony with a slight angle and avoiding shadows yields the best results. Unfortunately, for those with north-facing balconies and only vertical installation, you might only get a third of the potential yield.
Now, if you're looking for added efficiency, consider energy storage systems, such as those offered by Allwei. These can allow you to utilize the electricity you generate during nighttime or cloudy conditions.
In conclusion, despite the current low adoption rate (around 1% of Germany's total solar power capacity), the market for balcony solar power looks promising, especially as we continue to move towards renewable energy solutions.
Solar Energy- Current usage: 9% existing + 17% planning [1]- Total capacity: 1% [1]- Growth of plug-in PV systems: 940,898 registered as of April 2025 [2]
Market Potential- Projected growth: $1.185 billion in 2025 to $5 billion by 2033 [4]
Potential Savings and Payback Period- Production: 760 kWh of electricity per year [1]- Savings over 20 years: €3,160 [1]- Payback period: 2.5 to 5 years [1]- Energy storage systems: Enhanced efficiency [5]
[1] Verivox Survey, March 2023 [2] n-tv.de [3] Innofact survey [4] Grand View Research Report [5] Allwei]
Community aid can play a significant role in assisting small and medium-sized undertakings (SMEs) in Germany to invest in balcony solar panels, considering the initial investment could range from 500 to 800 euros, with a payback period of 2.5 to 5 years.
The adoption of balcony solar power, though currently low at around 1%, has a promising growth potential, with the market projected to reach $5 billion by 2033. This growth can be facilitated by financial assistance and energy-related technology support for SMEs in the solar energy industry.
