A balcony power plant turns solar energy into electricity

• Check lease agreement: Check the contract for clauses that regulate the installation of PV systems on the balcony or facade.
• If clause is present: Ask here with the landlord politely for a possible change of mind and point to the judgment of the district court Stuttgart of 30 March 2021 (AG Stuttgart, AZ 37 C 2283/20) points out. According to the ruling, landlords may not generally prohibit a mini PV system because it serves the state objective of environmental protection.
• Note: The balcony power system must be permitted by building law, visually inconspicuous, easily removable and professionally installed without affecting the property. If the lease agreement does not contain a clear regulation, it is still advisable to talk to the landlord to avoid future conflicts. In the case of attachment to the house wall, roof or balcony parapet, approval is mandatory.

In Germany, every balcony power plant must be registered with the local grid operator regardless of its output.

• Determining the local grid operator:
  The grid operator acts as the owner of the power lines in the respective region. It distributes the electricity to the end consumers, including the apartments. Each building has an assigned distribution network operator, which cannot be changed, and the information regarding the network operator can be found on the electricity bill. There is either a 13-digit code or the name of the operator. If a code is available, the corresponding name can be found in the list of grid operators can be looked up. Has there been a move? 
• Implementation depending on the service:
  A template for the appropriate registration letter is provided by the local network operator.
  (Please note: In some cases, grid operators explicitly stipulate that a specialist must carry out the installation. Check the official website of your distribution network operator in advance).
  An electrician must be consulted for PV systems with an output of over 600 watts. (However, it is planned to raise this limit to 800 watts in accordance with the forthcoming legal adjustments.)In the case of solar systems with an output of up to 600 watts, non-professionals can also carry out this notification free of charge and independently.
• Consequence of registration = new meter?
  The decision on the necessity of replacing the current electricity meter depends on the individual meter model. However, old electricity meters with a rotary dial (Ferraris meters) definitely need to be replaced. Since electricity can flow in both directions these days, this requires a modern meter with electronic sensing to measure both inflow and outflow. An electric meter must have a backstop to function properly. If it is necessary to replace the meter, the advantage is that most network operators do not charge for this.

• Tip: It is recommended to register the balcony power plant early and to inform yourself about the operating regulations of the PV system in order to avoid possible penalties.

• Registration: Registration takes place via the "Registration assistant for operators of power generation plants". of the Federal Network Agency. The time period for this is one month after commissioning of the balcony power plant. (This process of registration will also be simplified: In the future, it will be sufficient to simply register or deregister plants with an output of up to 800 watts with the Federal Network Agency).
• Do you need help with registration?
  For help here the step by step video of the Federal Network Agency.
• There is a simplified application process for systems up to 600 watts. A permit is not required
• Registration takes place with the local network operator and with the Federal Network Agency in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR). Both registrations are free of charge.
• Failure to register may result in fines.
• From 2024, it is expected that only registration in the market master data register will be required.