Swiss Balcony Power Plant: Solar Power from Your Own Balcony

Produce with a Plug-and-Play Solar System Generate your own solar power on your balcony, terrace, or another suitable location. The electricity generated is fed directly into your home’s electrical circuit via a microinverter and used to power the appliances currently in use.

This means you draw less energy from the public power grid. If the balcony power plant generates more electricity than is needed at any given time, the surplus flows through the electricity meter into the distribution grid.

To operate the system, you'll need a suitable Swiss household outlet, a safe installation location, and a coordinated balcony solar kit. Depending on the model, you can use framed or semiflexible solar modules.

Related article: Solar Power in a Tiny House—A Simple Way to Get Started

How does a balcony power plant work?

The solar panels generate direct current. The microinverter converts this into grid-compatible alternating current and feeds it into the electrical circuit via the connection cable. The refrigerator, router, lighting, computer, and other active devices automatically use the solar power.

If the current solar output is insufficient, the missing energy is drawn from the power grid as usual. The highest possible level of self-consumption is achieved when electricity is needed on a regular basis while the panels are generating energy.

• Use solar power directly: Household appliances that are currently running are first powered by energy generated on-site.
• Reduce online shopping: Every kilowatt-hour consumed directly does not have to be purchased at the standard electricity rate.
• Getting Started Made Easy: Suitable plug-and-play systems can be used without a large, permanently installed photovoltaic system.
• Versatile: Depending on the installation method, balconies, patios, railings, or freestanding locations are suitable.

How much energy does a balcony solar system generate?

The potential solar energy output depends primarily on the following factors:

• Installed module capacity in watts-peak
• Location and Local Solar Irradiance
• Orientation and Tilt Angle of the Solar Panels
• Shading caused by buildings, trees, or balconies
• Temperature, Contamination, and Technical System Losses
• AC Power Limitation of the Microinverter

For a set with two solar panels, each with a capacity of 460 Wp PVGIS calculations indicate the following approximate annual yields for vertical installation and a south-facing orientation:

The figures are based on model calculations and do not constitute a guarantee of yield. Actual yield may vary due to shading, mounting angle, weather, temperature, inverter limitations, and other system losses.

How much could I save on my electricity bill?

What matters is not only the electricity generated, but above all the direct self-consumption. At an electricity price of CHF 0.40 per kWh, 800 kWh of solar power consumed entirely by the homeowner would have a theoretical value of CHF 320 per year.

In practice, the household usually does not consume all of the electricity it generates at the same time. The actual savings consist of the value of the solar power used directly and any compensation for surplus power fed into the grid. Electricity rates, feed-in tariffs, and the share of self-consumption vary depending on the household and the grid operator.

* The site values were calculated using the Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS) calculated by the European Commission.

Components of Our Balcony Solar Kits

Depending on the set selected and the installation location, the balcony solar system consists of the following components, which are designed to work together:

Framed 460 Wp solar modules, bifacial For high-performance balcony solar kits with suitable mounting hardware.
Alternatively: semi-flexible solar modules with 220 Wp For applications that require a lighter weight or a different design.
600-watt microinverter Converts the direct current from the solar panels into alternating current that meets utility grid standards.
Power cord with a Swiss plug Connects the microinverter to a suitable household outlet.
SolarHook Mounting Kit Depending on the set, for secure attachment to the appropriate balcony railing.
Solar Extension Cable For connecting solar modules to the microinverter, if required for installation.

How to Plan a Balcony Power Plant Properly

• Location: Choose a spot that is as unshaded as possible and gets plenty of sunlight.
• Mounting: Secure the modules permanently to prevent them from being blown away, shifting, or falling.
• Outlet: If in doubt, have a qualified professional inspect the condition and suitability of the electrical installation.
• News item: Register the system with the relevant distribution system operator before putting it into service.
• Conformity: The Declaration of Conformity must cover the entire plug-and-play system.
• Rental and Condominium Ownership: Clarify approval requirements and local regulations before installation and purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions About Balcony Power Plants in Switzerland

• Do I need the landlord's permission?

  
  

  That depends on the location and the type of installation. If the solar panel is mounted on the outside of the balcony, on the railing, or on the facade, or if it alters the building’s appearance, written consent should be obtained in advance. This consent is required for any structural modifications.

  Even for portable modules installed on the balcony, the lease agreement, visibility, safety, or local regulations may be relevant. Therefore, please clarify the details of your plan with the property management or the property owner before placing an order. In the case of condominiums, approval from the homeowners’ association may also be required.

• Does the balcony power plant need to be registered with the utility company?

  
  

  Yes. A plug-and-play solar power system must be reported in writing to the relevant distribution system operator. Typically, this also involves the Declaration of Conformity for the Complete Set required.

  The simplified regulation applies to systems with a maximum AC output power of 600 W per subscriber line, household, or electricity meter. Systems with higher power output require a professionally installed permanent installation and are subject to more stringent regulations.

• What electrical safety requirements apply?

  
  

  The complete set must include the required declaration of conformity and an appropriate protective device. Depending on the inverter, residual current protection is provided either by an integrated, all-current-sensitive residual current monitoring unit or by an external residual current protective device of the specified type.

  The key factors are the compliance documentation for the specific set, the manufacturer's instructions, and the utility provider's requirements. If you are unsure, have a qualified electrician inspect the existing outlet and wiring.

• Do I receive a feed-in tariff for excess solar power?

  
  

  Excess electricity can be fed into the public grid. The distribution system operator must record and compensate for the electricity fed back into the grid in accordance with applicable regulations or offer an acceptable billing solution.

  Metering, feed-in rates, any flat fees, and administrative procedures vary depending on the grid operator. These terms should therefore be clarified directly with the local utility company. A high level of direct self-consumption is generally particularly cost-effective.

• Does it matter which phase the consumers are connected to?

  
  

  The balcony power plant physically feeds electricity into the phase of its outlet. Many modern electricity meters offset consumption and generation by balancing the phases. However, the exact measurement method depends on the meter installed and the utility company.

  If you want to be sure you're interpreting the bill correctly, you should have the meter type or the cross-phase offsetting verified by the relevant distribution system operator.

• Does a balcony power plant work during a power outage?

  
  

  For safety reasons, a standard grid-connected balcony power plant automatically shuts down in the event of a power outage. Therefore, it does not, on its own, provide an emergency power supply or an off-grid power supply.

  AC coupling to a properly configured Victron system may be technically feasible if the microinverter supports the required frequency-dependent power control and the MultiPlus or Quattro are configured correctly. Among other factors, system sizing, battery storage, Victron wizards, and AC-coupling specifications must be taken into account. Such a solution must be planned on a case-by-case basis and commissioned by a qualified professional.

• What offers the greatest savings on electricity bills?

  
  

  The greatest savings are achieved when as much solar power as possible is used in your own home at the same time. Essential appliances such as refrigerators, routers, and control systems help make this possible. Other appliances whose use can be postponed should be operated during sunny hours of the day whenever possible.

  Orientation, shading, and mounting angles also affect yield. An east-west orientation can spread production more evenly throughout the day, while a good south-facing orientation often results in a higher overall yield.

• Can I start with a balcony solar system and later expand it with a Victron battery or off-grid operation?

  
  

  Yes. A balcony solar power system can be an easy way to get started with generating your own solar power and can later become part of a more comprehensive Victron Energy Systems with Battery Storage . The NEP microinverter included in our kits can be integrated into a properly designed AC-coupled system with a Victron MultiPlus or Quattro.

  In off-grid mode, the Victron inverter/charger generates the local 230-V grid. As the battery’s state of charge increases and more solar power becomes available than the loads and battery can consume, the Victron system increases the grid frequency in a controlled manner. The NEP micro-inverter responds in accordance with its frequency-dependent power control and reduces or stops its feed-in power.

  For a grid-independent system, the MultiPlus or Quattro is connected to the appropriate PV Inverter Support Assistant configured. For a grid-connected storage system, the ESS Assistant is used depending on the system design. System performance, battery storage, protection technology, grid disconnection, and Victron’s specifications for AC coupling must all be coordinated.

  Important: A balcony power plant alone does not provide off-grid or emergency power during a power outage. To do so, you’ll also need a grid-forming Victron inverter/charger, a suitable battery, a safe grid disconnection mechanism, and a properly configured system.

  Here's how to gradually expand your energy supply: from direct solar power consumption to battery storage, all the way to a custom-designed off-grid or emergency power solution. For more information, see the article Solar Power in a Tiny House—A Simple Way to Get Started and at our Energy Storage Systems.