Register balcony power plant 2024
Get the sun from your balcony: With the launch of Solar Package I in May 2024, it has become even easier to become your own electricity producer. The registration of the balcony power plant with the grid operator has been eliminated and the few registration steps with the market data master register have become much simpler. That’s how it should be: The German government wants to drive forward the expansion of solar power – your balcony power plant is part of this initiative. We show you how to register your balcony solar system correctly and what you should pay attention to.
Info at a glance: What has changed when you register your balcony power station!?
Solar Package I finally came into force on May 16, 2024. This has ensured that many legal and technical hurdles for balcony power plants have been removed and registration and operation have become much easier for you. Here are the most important points affected by Solar Package I:
- Registration with the network operator is no longer necessary. Balcony power plants only need to be registered in the Federal Network Agency's market master data register, which should be done up to one month after commissioning.
- The output of the inverter has been increased from 600 watts to 800 watts. In addition, balcony power plants may now have an installed nominal output of up to 2000 watts or 2 kWp per residential connection.
- Meter replacement: Old, analog electricity meters can continue to be used for the time being and may also temporarily run backwards - without the former threat of penalty. The grid operator must check within four months whether a new meter is necessary and replace the old one if necessary.
- The use of conventional Schuko sockets is now officially permitted, which considerably simplifies installation.
Do I have to register a balcony power plant?
Yes, but compared to before, registration is now easier. You no longer have to register with the network operator. Every balcony power plant or plug-in solar device only has to be registered with the Federal Network Agency in the market data master register if it is installed at a fixed location and put into operation there.
The details can be found in § 8 para. 5a EEG 2023. It says that you can use “plug-in solar devices” up to a certain power capacity. have to register. And from how many watts do you have to register a balcony power plant? The question is easy to answer: always! Every stationary plug-in solar device must be registered.
What applies to balcony power plant registration in Austria?
In Austria, too, every balcony power plant, regardless of its size, must always be registered. Registration must be made with the relevant grid operator at least 14 days before the planned commissioning. If the grid operator has no objections during this time, the balcony power plant can be officially connected to the grid. There is no market master data register as there is in Germany.Is a balcony power plant worthwhile for you?
Absolutely! Find out why here.
We will also show you the advantages it offers you: For example, you save on electricity costs, gain a good deal of independence from your electricity provider and protect the environment to boot. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
How do I register my balcony power plant?
You only need to register your new balcony power plant with the market master data register. You can even do this after you have put it into operation, as you still have 4 weeks to do so. The individual steps have been further simplified. This is how it works:
Balcony power plant registration with the market master data register
Your mini PV system must be registered with the Federal Network Agency’s Market Master Register (MaStR) within one month. Here is a short guide to registration. The whole process takes no longer than 15 minutes.
Create a user account: Start by creating a user account on the www.marktstammdatenregister.de website. Because balcony power plants now have their own registration path, this is super easy. Click on (1) “Registration of a system or market player”, then on (2) “Registration of a solar system” and finally on (3) “Plug-in solar system (so-called balcony power plant)”. You will then be asked whether you are already registered in MaStR. If not, you can register directly in the registration process. After entering your details, you will receive an e-mail which you must confirm in order to activate your account.
Registering the balcony power plant: Register as a system operator and enter the necessary data for your balcony power plant. This includes the location, a display name for the system, technical data such as the commissioning date, the total output of the modules, the inverter output and the meter number.
- Registration confirmation: After completing registration, you can view a registration confirmation and download it if required. Done!
Tip: Make sure you have all the necessary documents and information to hand before you start the registration process.
What are the consequences of not registering the balcony power plant?
Is the registration of balcony power plants checked? That may well be the case. Anyone who does not register their balcony system in the market master data register within one month of commissioning risks a fine. According to Section 95 of the Energy Industry Act and Section 21 of the Market Master Data Register Ordinance, this can amount to up to EUR 50,000, although the amounts are often lower in practice.
Registration is now so easy that you don’t even have to let it get that far. It should also be in your interest, as subsidies and changing the electricity meter are only possible if you have registered.
In Austria, it is also theoretically possible to impose fines of up to 50,000 euros.
Can the landlord prohibit the installation?
The basic rule is: consult your landlord. According to common practice, he may not issue a blanket ban. This view has already been confirmed in a number of judgments. For example, in a decision by the Stuttgart Local Court in 2021 (case no. 37 C 2283/20). The court dismissed the landlord’s claim, citing, among other things, the environmental protection provisions of the German Basic Law. It emphasized that approval for a balcony power plant should not be refused as long as it complies with building regulations, is visually unobtrusive, can be easily removed and is installed professionally. However, these requirements should be met.
What applies to Austria?
The installation of balcony power plants usually leads to a change in the external appearance of the house. The landlord can veto this. It has not yet been legally clarified whether plug-in solar devices should also be “privileged” in Austria. Asking the landlord is therefore highly recommended.
Does the electricity meter need to be replaced?
It depends on which electricity meter you have. Four different electricity meters are currently in widespread use:
- Analog meters without backstop (“Ferraris meters”)
- Analog meters with backstop
- Modern measuring devices: These are electricity meters with a digital display, but which are not connected to the Internet
- Smart meters, also known as intelligent electricity meters or intelligent metering systems
Only analog meters without a return stop must be replaced. These are not suitable for the operation of balcony power plants. But don’t worry: according to the latest legal regulations, you don’t have to worry about replacing it. You also don’t have to wait until the meter has been replaced before installing your balcony power station. However, you must register your balcony power plant with the market data register (see above). Your network operator will then also find out about this and is obliged to replace the meter within four months. It costs you nothing. If the metering point operator still charges you for the installation, you can defend yourself against this. This is because the replacement of old electricity meters is required by law by 2032 at the latest anyway.
If there is no electricity meter with a non-return device, this is usually replaced by the Austrian grid operator after registration.
Get the most out of your balcony power plant with our tips on optimal alignment and choice of location. Find out whether an investment is worthwhile for you and how you can benefit from support programs. Ready for the green revolution? Calculate your costs and savings here.
How big can the balcony power plant be?
In Germany, the size of a balcony power plant is generally defined by its output. The purely physical dimensions are not regulated. Balcony power plants currently have an output limit of 800 watts and the solar modules may have a total rated output of 2000 watts or 2 kWp. The 800 watts refer to the power fed into the grid by the inverter. The inverter converts the direct current from the solar modules into standard household alternating current. Until the launch of Solar Package I, the power limit was only 600 watts. Larger systems are no longer considered balcony power plants and require more technical information when registering.
The power limit is not an arbitrary specification. Rather, it marks the dividing line between balcony power plants and larger photovoltaic systems, for which more detailed technical information is required when registering.
In Austria, it is permitted to install a balcony power plant with an output of up to 800 watts per electricity meter. Incidentally, this was already the case here when the upper limit in Germany was still 600 watts.
Special rules and regulations for balcony power plants
Installation on balconies over four meters high permitted: Balcony power plants are no longer considered construction products, i.e. they are no longer subject to the building regulations for larger solar installations. The so-called “overhead glazing regulation” no longer applies. According to this regulation, glass may only be used as a building material at a height of more than four meters under certain conditions in order to protect passers-by from potentially falling glass splinters. It is therefore now possible to install solar modules made of glass on balconies above a height of four meters.
XL modules possible: The regulation on the maximum size of solar modules of two square meters no longer applies to balcony power plants. Larger modules can therefore be installed without proof of suitability. Good for you: Larger solar modules offer more space for the solar cells and potentially generate more power, especially when there is little sunlight.
Schuko plugs are permitted: The use of Schuko plugs is officially permitted. The reason for this is that the risk of electric shock is similar to that of other household appliances and the fire risk is classified as low. The prerequisite is that the inverter used has grid and system protection and that no balcony system is connected to a multiple socket. According to the VDE standard, a special power socket (Wieland socket) is recommended, but is not mandatory.
No VAT: Balcony power plants are still exempt from VAT. This privilege was due to expire at the end of 2023 – fortunately, despite tight public coffers, VAT still does not have to be paid on balcony power plants.
Balcony power plant subsidies in Germany: overview 2024
Balcony power plants are a cost-effective way of generating your own electricity and feeding it into the household grid. Many districts and cities promote the purchase of such systems. Even without a subsidy, a balcony power plant pays for itself in less than five years, as it can reduce annual electricity costs by an average of 250 euros.
Although there is no nationwide funding program, there are regional and municipal programs with different funding guidelines and funding amounts. In some cities, the subsidy is up to 500 euros, on average 250 euros. The funding guidelines differ from region to region, including with regard to the requirements for the system and the deadlines. Is your region included? You can take a look here:
The funding is secured and the landlord’s approval is also there? Great, then you can finally find the right balcony power station for you on our website. And what happens next? Here you can find out how to connect your power station.
Rules and regulations for balcony power plants in Austria
Balcony power plants are also very popular in Austria. In the Alpine republic, there are some regulations that differ from those in Germany. They were already allowed to reach a maximum output of 800 watts when this was not yet permitted in Germany. The regulations in Austria at a glance:
Registration with the grid operator:
A permit is not required, but in Austria a balcony power plant must be registered with the grid operator. This notification must be made at least two weeks before the system is commissioned. If the grid operator has no objections within this period, the balcony power plant can officially be connected to the grid. Registration takes place via an online form from the responsible grid operator, in which the technical data of the balcony power plant and location information must be entered. There is no market master data register in Austria as there is in Germany.
Digital counter:
After registration, a digital meter is installed to monitor consumption and feed-in. This is done by the grid operator after registration of the balcony power plant.
Power limitation:
In Austria, the maximum power fed into the grid from balcony power plants is limited to 800 watts.
Plug:
Schuko plugs are permitted for the connection of plug-in solar devices, the Wieland plug is not mandatory.
The landlord must agree:
The consent of the landlord is required for rented apartments. Balcony power plants are permitted in Austria if they comply with certain rules. They must not detract from the appearance of the surroundings and must be installed professionally.
No value added tax:
From 2024, there will be no VAT on the purchase of balcony power plants in Austria.
Balcony power plants in Austria 2024: the most important facts at a glance
Topic | Details |
VAT exemption | From January 1, 2024, photovoltaic systems with an output of up to 35 kWp, including balcony power plants, will be exempt from VAT. |
Registration with the network operator | No explicit authorization required. Grid operator must be informed at least two weeks before installation. |
Electricity meter | Older Ferraris electricity meters must be replaced by modern meters. |
Performance limits | Maximum feed-in power of 800 watts. |
Plug | Schuko plugs are permitted for the connection of plug-in solar devices, the Wieland plug is not mandatory. |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
From how many watts do I have to register my balcony power plant?
Every balcony power plant must be registered with the grid operator, regardless of its output. This applies to both Germany and Austria.
Where do I have to register my balcony power plant?
There is no need to register with the local grid operator. Instead, only registration in the Federal Network Agency’s market master data register is required. The procedure has been simplified and the bureaucratic effort significantly reduced.
The situation is different in Austria: Here, the balcony power plant must be registered with the responsible grid operator. This must be done at least two weeks before installation. There is no market master data register in Austria as there is in Germany.
How many balcony power stations can I connect?
In both Germany and Austria, the number of balcony power plants per household is not limited as long as the maximum feed-in power of 800 watts is adhered to.
Who has to register the balcony power station? Tenant or landlord?
In both Germany and Austria, the registration of a balcony power plant is the responsibility of the tenant who wishes to operate the system. However, you should inform the landlord so that he gives his consent, especially if structural changes are necessary.