Balcony solar power

{{Short description|Micro photovoltaic system for balconies and facades}}

File:2023-05-05 Sogenanntes Balkonkraftwerk, eine Mini-PV-Anlage, in Tauberbischofsheim 01.jpg

A balcony solar power system is a small photovoltaic system for generating electrical power.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-04 |title=Berlin Pioneers New Market for Urban Solar Power |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-04/berlin-pioneers-new-market-for-urban-solar-power |access-date=2024-11-16 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/business/germany-solar-panels-climate-change.html | title=Germans Combat Climate Change from Their Balconies | work=The New York Times | date=29 July 2024 | last1=Eddy | first1=Melissa }}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Keeping cool by harnessing the sun's energy |url=https://www.dw.com/en/keeping-cool-by-harnessing-the-suns-energy/a-69555433 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en}} It consists of one or more solar modules, an inverter, a low-voltage connection cable and a plug for connecting to the final circuit in the network of an end consumer.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-24 |title=The country in Europe that has installed over 400,000 solar balconies: Why they are more attractive than regular solar panels (Video) |url=https://spotmedia.ro/en/news/environment/the-european-country-that-has-installed-over-400000-solar-balconies-why-they-are-more-attractive-than-regular-solar-panels-video |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=spotmedia.ro |language=en-EN}} The balcony, carport, garage roof or terrace are often used as installation locations. The electricity generated can be used immediately; unused electricity flows from the consumer's connection into the public grid without compensation.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-12 |title=Balkonkraftwerke: Effiziente Solarenergie für Jedermann |url=https://erneuerbar24.de/blogs/news/balkonkraftwerke-anschaffung-installation-und-wirtschaftlichkeit |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=erneuerbar24 |language=de}}

As of October 2024, in Germany, more than 700.000 balcony power solar systems were installed.{{cite web | url=https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/07/23/solar-balconies-are-booming-in-germany-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-popular-home- | title=This European country has installed over 500,000 'solar balconies' | date=23 July 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-04 |title=Germany doubles number of solar balcony power plants since start of 2024 – agency |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-doubles-number-solar-balcony-power-plants-start-2024-agency |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Clean Energy Wire |language=en}}

The U.S., which has a potential market of 57 GW for balcony solar power plants, lacks regulation for such systems.{{cite web | url=https://cybernews.com/tech/germany-balcony-solar-craze/ | title=Germany's balcony solar craze: Is US next? | date=25 July 2023 }}