The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) expects the one millionth balcony solar power plant to be registered with Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), Germany’s federal network agency, (BNetzA) in June. As numerous late registrations are often received by the BNetzA several weeks late, the association estimates that the one million mark has already been exceeded. Between January and April 2025 alone, around 135,000 new devices were put into operation in Germany — a 36 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Registration with the BNetzA’s market master data register is mandatory within one month.
According to a YouGov survey commissioned by BSW-Solar at the end of 2024, eight percent of respondents plan to purchase a plug-in solar device this year. Another nine percent can imagine doing so at a later date.
Plug-in solar devices differ from classic photovoltaic systems in that the output of the solar modules and the connected load of the inverter (AC power) are limited to such an extent that any risk to the existing electrical installation, and thus to its operators, is practically ruled out. In Germany, the module output of a plug-in solar device must not exceed 2,000 watts, and the connected load must not exceed 800 watts of alternating current output, in accordance with the VDE draft standard. The following applies: Only devices without battery storage are considered plug-in solar devices. BSW-Solar points out that systems with storage must currently still be installed by a qualified electrician and be registered with the grid operator.
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