Get A Bite of Sunshine on Your Balcony! 25% Germans Eye Solar Panels, Is It Worth It?
A significant number of Germans express interest in solar panels installed on balconies.
Go green with a touch of luxury! Over a quarter of the German population is considering embracing solar power for their balconies, according to a recent survey by Verivox. But is it a smart move? Let's dive into the details!
Already, 9% of Germans have a mini solar panel up and running, while another 17% are planning to join the bandwagon. However, 21% feel they don't have the space, 15% don't see it as a financially viable option, and 38% are still pondering the decision or are indifferent. The research data, gathered by Innofact in March, was weighted to mirror the general population.
A 800W balcony solar panel could potentially produce around 760kWh of electricity annually under ideal conditions. If 60% is self-consumed, it could lead to a saving of approximately €160 per year, given the average kWh price of €0.347. But, the price tag for a unit of this size ranges between €500 and €800, with a return on investment projected to be between 2.5 to 5 years.
The good news? A few federal states offer support for these purchases. On the flip side, if the location isn't ideal, the saving period could stretch. However, Thorsten Storck, an energy expert at Verivox, suggests that even under suboptimal conditions, balcony power plants can still yield savings - it might just take a bit longer.
And remarkably, the location is the sole determining factor for the plant's yield. Facing the balcony towards the south, positioning the modules at a slight incline, and ensuring no shadows fall on the solar modules will maximize the energy absorption. Unfortunately, those with a north-facing balcony and vertical installation may only achieve a third of the possible yield, as per Storck.
With technology advancements, even with suboptimal conditions, balcony solar systems can still be profitable, according to Verivox. And who knows? As 25% of Germany ponders the idea, maybe we'll see a green revolution in balconyscapes soon!
[1] Solar Promotion[2] Solar industry[3] Solar panels[4] Solar Energy Association[5] Enphase Energy[6] Solar promotion policy[7] Energy price trends[8] Germany's renewable energy targets[9] Cost comparison of solar panel purchases[10] Balcony solar panel technology improvements
- Solar energy
- Solar industry
- Solar panels
- Solar promotion
- Energy price
- Subsidies and policies
- Balcony solar system technologies
- Energy independence
- Environmental impact
- Cost savings
- Community aid for small and medium-sized undertakings in the solar energy industry could help finance the installation of balcony solar panels for those who find it financially unviable.
- The average savings a small or medium-sized business could achieve from a solar promotion policy, such as tax incentives or grants, could be worthwhile for investing in balcony solar power plants.
- The technological advancements in home-and-garden lifestyle products, such as energy-efficient solar panels, should also be considered while evaluating the return on investment for balcony solar systems.
- In supporting the endeavor of small and medium-sized undertakings towards sustainable living, Germany's energy finance sector should explore opportunities to offer affordable loans or partner with applicable finance institutions for financing balcony solar panel installations.
- As part of its commitment to achieving sustainable-living targets, the government can work with the solar industry to provide incentives and support for small and medium-sized businesses to invest in balcony solar panel installations.
- With the average household saving of €160 per year from a balcony solar power plant under ideal conditions, the endeavor of small and medium-sized businesses to produce and distribute energy-efficient solar panels could contribute to energy independence, eventually benefiting both industry and lifestyle.
