How does a balcony power plant work?

The energy transition is imminent – ​​everyone can help and benefit from it. That includes you! Even if you don't have much space on your roof or live in a rented apartment, a balcony power plant can be a big step towards self-sufficiency. Many people are in the same boat and are wondering: How does a balcony power plant work? If you're also interested in generating some of your own energy, this article is for you. To find the right solution, you should first understand how a balcony power plant works. Therefore, you'll find a comprehensive overview below.

How does a balcony power plant work? Simply explained!

A first answer to the question of how a balcony power plant works is quickly found. The basic overview is as follows: As soon as the sun's rays hit the solar panels, they are converted into direct current. This is then converted into alternating current by the inverter, which allows it to be fed into the house's electrical grid.

If that's not enough for you and you'd like to delve deeper into how a balcony power plant works technically, read on. To explain the functionality of a balcony power plant in detail, we'll take a two-step approach. First, you'll learn about the individual components of a balcony power plant, as these form the basis for energy generation. Then, we'll show you how these individual elements work together to generate electricity from sunlight. 

The construction of a balcony power plant

A balcony power plant consists of several components. To explain how a balcony power plant works, it is important to first explain each component individually. Only then can their interaction be discussed.

The solar panels

The heart of a balcony power plant is the solar modules. These, in turn, are composed of individual solar cells. The characteristically blue or black, silicon-based components convert the sun's radiant energy into electrical energy. A balcony power plant typically has one or two modules and thus a large number of individual solar cells.

The inverter

To convert the energy generated by the solar panels into electricity that can be fed into your home's electrical grid, an inverter is required. These inverters control the flow of direct current (DC) generated by solar radiation by converting it into alternating current (AC). This is achieved by the inverter's transistors responding to the voltage and either amplifying or switching off the electrical signals. This ensures that a balcony power plant always provides a stable power supply and prevents your grid from being overloaded.

The memory

A storage system may be an essential component of a balcony power plant. Our balcony power plants with storage already include a storage option as standard. Alternatively, a storage system can be retrofitted separately. A storage system is similar to a battery and stores excess energy generated. This excess energy would otherwise go to your grid operator, meaning you wouldn't benefit from it. With a storage system, the surplus electricity can be stored, for example, for use at night when the sun isn't shining.

The fortification

Of course, the mounting hardware is also part of the installation of a balcony power plant. A simple balcony mounting bracket consists of hooks secured with screws and stainless steel cable ties, which also protect the solar panels from wind. However, balcony power plants can also be mounted on flat roofs, in the garden, on the facade, or on the roof of the house using a variety of different brackets . As you can see, the installation of a balcony power plant is similar to that of a small solar system. However, the compact design of balcony power plants means they can be purchased ready to plug in. This eliminates the need for complex preparation, and you can simply connect your power plant to your home's electrical system via a standard wall socket.

How does a balcony power plant work technically?

Not only is the construction of a balcony power plant similar to that of a small solar power system, but the actual generation of electricity also follows the same principle. For illustration, you will find a clear description here that depicts electricity generation via photovoltaics step by step:

1. Sunlight falls on the solar cell: Sunlight falls onto the solar cells. These usually have a semiconductor core, as these have high conductivity. Silicon, encased in glass plates, is used as the semiconductor in 95% of all solar cells.
2. Electrons begin to move: As soon as sunlight strikes the semiconductors, their conductivity increases and the electrons begin to move. This physical process creates a constant current flow known as direct current.
3. Inverter converts electricity: To ensure the generated electricity can be used seamlessly in your home's electrical system, the inverter now comes into play. This device converts the direct current (DC) from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) using electronic components. It synchronizes with the AC supply to your home's electrical system, as feed-in is only possible when the waveforms of both ACs match.  

Where should the energy go?

If your balcony power plant is functioning correctly, the next question is where the electricity goes and how it's used. You have several options for utilizing the electricity. Since balcony power plants are designed for private use, self-consumption is naturally the first thing that comes to mind. You can find out exactly how this can work below.

Support for personal needs

Self-consumption means that the generated electricity is used directly. While a balcony power plant, due to the limited surface area for solar panels, cannot cover your entire electricity needs, it can contribute a portion of your consumption. The alternating current generated by your balcony power plant can, for example, power common household appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and ovens. For instance, efficient washing machines consume an average of 137 kWh per year. With our 850 balcony power plant, you can generate up to 830 kWh of electricity annually. In this case, you would be able to cover the operating costs of your washing machine entirely, without incurring any electricity bills.

Storing electricity

As you can probably guess from the previous example, it's even possible for a balcony power plant to generate more electricity than you can directly consume. However, this rarely happens due to the relatively low output. Nevertheless, in such a case, the energy would simply be fed into the grid. To prevent this, a storage system is a good option, which is why they can play an important role in how a balcony power plant functions. 

While you and your family are out of the house during the day, your balcony power plants with storage continue to operate, even though consumption is low. The excess electricity generated during this time can be stored to cover the consumption of refrigerators and devices that are on standby at night.

 

Feeding power into the public grid without compensation

Balcony power plants are designed for private use, which is why feeding electricity into the public grid is not compensated. This is because most balcony power plants do not meet the same standards as larger photovoltaic systems. Therefore, it is pointless to feed the generated electricity unused into the public grid. This makes it all the more important to purchase a balcony power plant that is tailored to your consumption or to retrofit a storage system for your balcony power plant.

Which balcony power plant works best for you?

Which balcony power plant best suits your situation depends primarily on your energy consumption. This, in turn, is related to the number of people living in your household. For the balcony power plant to function correctly and noticeably reduce your electricity costs, you need to consider its output in relation to your consumption. Below, we have compiled some scenarios to help you compare and determine which balcony power plant is most suitable for you:

• Small household (1-2 persons): If you live in a small household of one or two people, your electricity consumption will be correspondingly low. Therefore, even a balcony power plant with a low output of around 400 W is well-suited. For example, ours 425W balcony power plant with HM400, which achieves a suitable output with only one solar module.
• Large household (3-4 people): For example, if you live with children, you'll need more electricity. To ensure your balcony power plant generates enough electricity to be worthwhile, the solar panels should have a capacity of over 800W. This is recommended. 890W Bifacial Balcony Power Plant with Hoymiles HMS-800W-2T Microinverter with two solar panels, making optimal use of a smaller balcony.
• Small household and large balcony: If you have the space, you can also install a larger and more powerful balcony power plant. Our [product name] is a good example. 890W Bifacial Balcony Power Plant with Storage, because it can store unused electricity.

How a balcony power plant works – legal information 

Now that we understand how a balcony power plant works, your journey to self-sufficiency can begin. However, there are still some important legal points to consider before you decide on a balcony power plant:

• Balcony power plant up to 800 W: Since May 2024, you have been legally permitted to register balcony power plants with a capacity of up to 800 W. Previously, the limit was 600 W, which no longer reflects the capabilities of modern balcony power plants. The 800 W refers to the output power of the inverter. The power of the solar panels themselves may exceed this. This allows you to compensate for less-than-ideal orientation with more powerful solar panels while still complying with legal requirements. 
• More powerful balcony power plants that can be throttled: If you have opted for a balcony power plant with higher output, such as ours... 1700W balcony power unitNo worries if you have 4 solar panels! With the help of the inverter, you can reduce the output of your balcony power plant to 800 W, making it perfectly legal to use.
• Registration in the MaStR: Balcony power plants benefit from a simplified registration process. You only need to register it in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR) so that the Federal Network Agency can inform the grid operator about your balcony power plant.

Thanks to a balcony power plant, we're on the way to self-sufficiency.

This article has given you an overview of how a balcony power plant works. Based on this information, you can now determine which model is best suited to your needs. Our online shop offers a wide selection of balcony power plants designed for various conditions, so you're sure to find the perfect fit. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us – we're happy to advise you. Simply use our contact form and let us know your requirements. We'll guide you on your journey to energy independence!