Connecting the balcony power station
How to achieve maximum output from your mini solar system
First: Register balcony power plant
Two reporting obligations
Register your balcony power plant with the responsible grid operator at least 14 days before you plug it in and register in the Federal Network Agency’s market master data register.
Registration form
You can find your sample form for the network operator here.
Obtainpermission from the landlord
Before installation, you should speak to your landlord, the owner and/or the owners’ association. They may not explicitly prohibit you from installing them on a balcony, terrace or garden. However, you should consult your local authorities if you are using them on shared areas such as facades, parapets or roofs. Prohibitions are only permitted in exceptional cases, for example due to monument protection.
You can find more information on our Register balcony power plant page.
Finally: connecting the balcony power station
In principle, you can connect your mini solar system yourself. Here is a quick and easy guide:
- Find out which balcony power station you can connect.
- Align your balcony power plant as well as possible.
- Install your balcony power station safely and dismantle it.
- Connect your balcony power station in the correct order.
We have formulated the individual steps in more detail below:
Which balcony power stations can I connect myself?
- Power: up to max. 600 W (inverter power)
- Assembly and installation: only with Wieland or Schuko plug
- Height: Up to 4 m above the ground our classic kit and from 4 m the ultra-light kit from Plug the Sunshine
Align balcony power station
- 35 degree angle
Your mini solar system generates the most electricity at a tilt angle of 35 degrees above the ground. The further the angle deviates, the lower the output.
- South-facing
The best orientation for your balcony power plant is of course to the south. Deviations to the east or west can also reduce the output here.
- Solar radiation
Make sure that your solar module is not in the shade of buildings or trees. You should also pay attention to regularly falling leaves or other sources of dirt.
- Weather conditions
In general, your balcony power station is weatherproof. However, you should clear its surface of leaves and snow. The extent to which it can withstand the wind speed depends on the quality of the installation.
Install balcony power station safely
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More InformationWe have designed our sets so that you can also assemble them safely on your own. Detailed assembly instructions are also included with each set.
Your balcony power station should not fall on anyone’s head, not even in a storm. Make sure it is securely mounted and hire a handyman if necessary.
Many balcony power plant owners live in rented accommodation. You may therefore have to move and dismantle your solar system. Make sure that the system is easy to dismantle. For example, by not drilling into the exterior façade – or only after consultation and with the necessary professional approach. The latter is often a no-go criterion for landlords anyway, who then do not have to agree to a balcony power plant.
Safety is always our top priority.
In which order should I connect my balcony power station?
- Connect your solar modules to the inverter first.
- Secondly, connect the inverter to the connection cable.
- The connection cable is then plugged into an earthing contact (Schuko) plug.
- You then plug the Schuko plug into a normal household socket.
Where can I place a balcony power plant?
Balcony
You can attach your mini solar system using the adjustable metal brackets in our classic kits and with the cable ties included in our ultra-lightweight kits. Despite the low weight, you should regularly check the condition of the cable ties, as the plastic can lose its strength due to UV radiation and other weather influences.
Flat roof
An unused flat roof without shade is ideal for your solar module. Check the building fabric before installation. Older flat roofs in particular only bear their own weight.
Pitched roof
Your balcony power station is also ideal for a pitched roof. The slope should be between 20 and 60 degrees, 35 degrees is ideal. Also make sure that it will not need to be replaced in the next 25 years.
Facade
Plug the Sunshine mini solar systems are fully developed in their technology, so that they also achieve a high yield on a façade. However, if it is in the shade, installation is not worthwhile.
Fence
You can easily mount our solar modules on the fence. You can even use your fence surface to generate electricity.
Garden
The time has come to turn your garden into a source of energy and save money with a mini solar system. Our classic kits are suitable for this.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Connecting the inverter: Schuko plug or Wieland plug?
The Schuko plug (safety plug) is the plug that you know from your household. The Wieland plug is a type of energy socket. Both types of plug are permitted, but the Wieland plug is slightly more expensive.
In order to promote the spread of balcony power stations, the VDE (German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) recommends the Schuko plug up to an output of 800 W.
Do I need an electrician for my balcony power station?
You generally do not need to hire an electrician for a Plug the Sunshine mini solar system.
However, some network operators or landlords require this, and sometimes also professional installation by a tradesman.
How do I get subsidies for my balcony power plant?
Depending on where you live, the subsidy amount is between 50 and 1450 euros, on average you can expect 200 euros per system. Some subsidies are paid at a flat rate per system, others depend on the wattage or require special conditions. Grants and loans are approved by local authorities, cities or the federal states.
You can find all the information you need about registering on our Register Balcony Power Plant page.
How much money will I save with my balcony power plant?
Your savings potential depends primarily on the size of your solar module, the number of modules, the electricity costs per KWh, the electricity consumption and the location. As a rule of thumb, it is estimated that a four-person household will save around 150 euros in electricity costs per year.
You can find more information in our blog post.