The contribution from when is a balcony power plant worth? Maria Gramsch first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
A balcony power plant is often worthwhile with low power consumption – especially when many electrical devices run during the day. With just a few hours of sunshine, the electricity costs can be noticeably reduced. But when exactly does the investment pay off?
Balcony power plants are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Last year alone, around 430,000 plants were put into operation in Germany, as can be seen from the Federal Network Agency figures. This corresponds to an increase of 62 percent compared to the previous year – and thus around 164,000 more facilities.
Such a mini-PV system can not only help to save electricity costs. The purchase is also associated with costs. But when is a balcony power plant actually worth? One Calculation of the Verivox comparison portal gives information.
Balcony power plant: When is the investment worth?
With the entry into force of the solar package I, the Federal Government increased the border for balcony power plants from 600 watts to 800 watts. The systems can easily be connected to the power grid via normal household sockets.
The regulation for feeding was also simplified. Because a digital electricity meter does not necessarily have to be installed before the purchase of a balcony power plant. Older Ferraris electricity meters can temporarily turn backwards.
Verivox has commissioned a representative survey for his calculation. Accordingly, a third of the Germans are either planned (22 percent) or already installed (8 percent). 20 percent of the respondents assume that such a system will not be worth it for them.
However, this could be an incorrect assumption. Ideally, such a mini-solar system was amortized after three to four years, as the calculation shows.
Calculation for the ideal case
Under ideal conditions that depend on location, orientation and consumption, a balcony power plant with an output of 800 watts can produce around 760 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
If 60 percent of them are used up in the household themselves, these are 456 kilowatt hours. With an average kilowatt hour of 35.31 cents, this corresponds to a saving of around 161 euros per year according to Verivox.
In the case of acquisition costs between 500 and 700 euros, such a system would have paid off after three to four years. If the system were in operation for 20 years, savings would result in electricity costs of 3,220 euros.
“Balcony power plants are often also worthwhile when no ideal conditions are reached, for example because the alignment is not optimal or a lower part of the current produced cannot be used up. It only takes a little longer,” explains Verivox energy expert Thorsten Storck.
This applies, for example, to the north or locations in which the mini-PV system is shaded. In such a case, balcony power plants can sometimes produce less than a third of the possible yield.
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The contribution from when is a balcony power plant worth? Maria Gramsch first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe a balcony power plant is worth investing in when it can significantly reduce energy costs, increase energy efficiency, and contribute to sustainability efforts. The decision to invest in a balcony power plant should be based on factors such as the availability of sunlight, the size of the balcony, the cost of installation, and the potential savings on electricity bills over time.
Additionally, a balcony power plant can also add value to a property by reducing its carbon footprint and increasing its attractiveness to eco-conscious buyers. However, it is important to consider the maintenance requirements and potential limitations of a balcony power plant, such as restricted space for installation and potential shading from nearby buildings or trees.
Overall, a balcony power plant can be a worthwhile investment for individuals or businesses looking to save money on energy costs, reduce their environmental impact, and increase their property value. It is important to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits before making a decision to install a balcony power plant.
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