Balcony power plant: VDE demands less maximum module output

Friends of so-called balcony power plants have been waiting for some time for the maximum permitted feed-in to be increased. Thanks to an amendment to the law, a balcony power plant should be able to provide up to 800 watts of power. Unfortunately, however, the long-awaited change is currently at a standstill.

Regulations on balcony power plants are at a standstill

A decisive change for balcony power plants was actually due to come into force in 2024. Among other things, the updated regulations stipulated that the maximum feed-in should be increased from 600 to 800 watts. They also wanted to finally legally regulate the maximum module output. The proposal spoke of 2,000 watts. This emerged from Solar Package I, a proposal by the German government. However, even at the end of February, there is no adjustment of the regulations in sight. The reason for this could be the dispute over the increase in output. Internal letters from the Association of Electrical Engineers (VDE) lead to this conclusion.

It can be deduced from this that the industry association is skeptical about the extent of the increase and is instead suggesting that the planned regulations be reconsidered. This applies in particular to the maximum module output, for which a maximum value of 960 watts is proposed in order to prevent risks. According to the VDE, the risk of fire from excessively hot cables in particular should not be underestimated if the module output is too high. The contents of the letter became known through a YouTube video by Andreas Schmitz. He received the documents and discussed the contents in his video.

Maximum module power below 1,000 watts

Of course, the VDE has no legislative authority. But for all those who decide to install a balcony power plant, the association is nevertheless of great importance. This is the case at least until the legislator provides clarity. Should the VDE decide to limit the maximum module output to 960 watts in its product standard VDE 0126-95, this would have an impact on owners of balcony power plants, particularly in the event of damage.

After all, this standard is then used by experts. Anyone who has operated modules with too much power must then be liable in the event of an insurance claim and expect high costs, as a claim against the insurance company is excluded. However, there are also positive things to report. For example, the VDE is apparently completely in line with the German government when it comes to the maximum feed-in power of 800 watts.

• More on the topic: Retrofitting a balcony power station storage system: how it works

Balcony power station still complex for tenants

But that doesn’t seem to be the only problem. On top of this, it is apparently complicated at the moment to put together a suitable draft law that takes the interests of tenants and landlords equally into account. Originally, tenants and members of a community of owners were to be allowed to install a balcony power plant without the consent of the landlord or the other owners. Plug-in solar systems also still seem to be a contentious issue. The law was actually intended to stipulate that these could only be prohibited with good reason. Representatives from the housing industry are apparently extremely skeptical about this and other regulations.

However, a legal framework is essential in this area. After all, the current situation is anything but conducive to the desired expansion of environmentally friendly power generators. For example, Andreas Schmitz, an expert and member of the AG Balkonkraftwerk, reports on the sometimes unspeakable conditions for tenants. Currently, installation often fails not only on the grounds that the system is “visually unacceptable”. On top of this, some landlords apparently demand a professional inspection by an electrician. For tenants, this means high additional costs, which of course significantly reduces the attractiveness of the balcony power plant.