balcony power plant new law delayed in 2024: What changes were originally planned for balcony power plants?

A new law on balcony power plants will be passed in February 2024!

Current announcement: According to our information, the Bundestag will pass the Solar Package 1 in February 2024! The new law for balcony power plants is just around the corner. Are you ready for your 800-watt balcony power station?

From 2024 there will be some positive changes for balcony power plants, with bureaucratic barriers being further reduced to give you the opportunity to further expand your balcony power plant. This includes an increase in the feed-in power of balcony power plants and simplified system registration.

In recent years, the balcony solar system has made an increasingly greater contribution to the transformation of domestic energy. With the balcony solar system you can not only generate electricity and save costs, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, this was originally scheduled for January 1st. The solar package I planned for January 2024 was not passed by the Bundestag. These changes are expected to come into effect later in 2024, but you can find out more about Solar Package I in advance.

Balcony power plant 2024 compared to balcony power plant 2023: What changes are there?

2023 2024
Feed-in limit 600 Watt 800 Watt
Solar panel power Can exceed 2000Wp no more than 2000 Wp
Schuko plug Can Can
Market master data register Necessary Necessary
Network operator Register No registration required
Installation height Below 4 meters Can exceed four meters

The table allows us to see the changes in balcony power plants more clearly from 2024.

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Balcony power plant 2024: New Changes to balcony power plant

Compared to solar systems, mini solar systems are easier to purchase and use. Mini solar systems are increasingly becoming a choice for more people as they transition to renewable energy. By using mini solar systems, green electricity can be generated to meet household electricity needs while reducing the impact on the environment.

Unlike solar systems that are limited to the roof, balcony solar systems can be installed in unused locations such as your balcony, garden or flat roof. Balcony solar systems also allow you to reduce your dependence on the electricity grid. Although balcony power generation may not cover all your power needs, it makes sense because every great journey begins with the first step.

That's why the government plans to offer balcony solar systems more amenities and legal bases from 2024.

Overview: All changes and new regulations for balcony power plants from 2024

Balcony power plant feed-in power increases to 800 watts

Balcony power plants Feed-in power refers to the output power of the balcony power inverter, which also represents the fundamental difference between balcony power plants and solar systems. The new 2024 law will increase the inverter output power to 800 watts, meaning your balcony power plant can generate more electricity every day.

If you have used an 800 watt balcony power inverter in the past that was temporarily limited to 600 watts, you can upgrade by contacting the inverter manufacturer. If you have used a non-upgradable 600 watt inverter in the past but want to expand your mini solar system, you will need to purchase an inverter that meets the requirements.

The module output of the balcony power plant is limited to less than 2000 watts

The new regulations set a limit for the output of the solar modules of the balcony power plant. The maximum power of the components is now 2000 watts or less. Some users often choose the option to increase the number of solar panels to generate as much power as possible, which helps generate more energy in bad weather. However, too high power often means increased risk, which is also the reason for government limits on component power.

Reversing electricity meters: A big surprise

Reverse running electricity meters will see a turning point in 2024. The new regulations will not require digital electricity meters to be installed. On a temporary basis, the systems may continue to use the old Ferraris meters. This means that the electricity generated by your balcony power plant is not wasted. Aside from your own energy consumption, excess electricity will be fed into the grid and your meter will run backwards. This in turn means that you only have to pay less for electricity.

No registration with the network operator required and simplified MaStR registration

Until now, after purchasing a balcony power plant, you first had to register with the local network operator and then register with the Federal Network Agency's Market Master Data Register (MaStR) within one month of installing the balcony solar system. Although these steps are not complicated, the new balcony power plant law in 2024 will simplify this process.

After the implementation of the new law for balcony power plants in 2024, you no longer need to register with the local network operator. Instead, it is sufficient to register with the Federal Network Agency's market master data register (MaStR). Of course, the registration process will also be easier, but exactly how this will be implemented is currently unclear.

SCHUKO socket yes!

Wieland is no longer the required accessory. Installation can now be done using standard SCHUKO plugs and sockets, which better suits the plug & play features of the balcony solar system.

Of course, if you can apply for subsidies for the balcony solar system in your region, you may have to select Wieland plugs, as this is a prerequisite for the subsidy. However, this increases the cost of purchasing the balcony power plant. You can calculate for yourself whether it is worth buying Wieland plugs in order to receive funding.

Plug solar devices are not construction products: installation height is no longer limited to 4m

The news comes from a report by the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBT) in October 2023. The report notes that plug-in solar devices are not considered construction products. This means that there are no special installation requirements when the installation height of balcony solar systems is over 4 meters. Of course, for safety reasons, we recommend either using more stable supports for the balcony power plants or opting for lighter balcony power plants with flexible solar modules.

Buy high-quality micro inverters to expand your balcony power plant

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

When will the new law on balcony power plants be passed in 2024?

Solar Package I was not passed by the Bundestag as planned before Christmas 2023, speculation by the DGS (German Society for Solar Energy e.v), however, the plan is expected to be adopted in the first quarter of 2024. The latest news is that the Bundestag will pass Solar Package I in February and the balcony power plant will usher in new changes from 2024.

How high will the feed-in power of the balcony power plant be from 2024?

From 2024, the feed-in power of the balcony power plant will be increased to 800 watts, that is, the output power of the microinverters in the balcony power plant components will be increased to 800 watts, the power of the photovoltaic modules will be reduced to less than 2.000 watts limited(These are max. 2000 watt module power, max. 800W inverter power).

What changes will there be in the standards for balcony power plants from 2024?

The new version of VDE AR-N 4105 will be published in 2024, and the new product standard for plug-in solar devices (VDE V 126-95) will also be published in 2024. The publication of the new standard not only establishes clearer rules for  plug-in solar devices, but also imposes new requirements on manufacturers' products, which has a positive impact on the safety of product use and provides more convenience to users.

Which registration procedures are required for balcony power plants from 2024?

The new law in 2024 will no longer require you to register with the network operator, but you will still have to register with the Federal Network Agency via the online website www.marktstammdatenregister.de within one month of installing your plug-in solar device .

What will happen to the installation height of balcony power plants from 2024?

In a report from October 2023, the German Institute for Construction Technology (DIBT) announced that solar modules from plug-in solar devices are not construction products. This means that there are no special technical requirements for attaching plug-in solar devices when they are installed over 4 meters high.

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