Small solar panels on railings are certainly attractive with their low price and the idea of their own cheap electricity. All you have to do is plug them into the socket and save. But is it really that simple?
the balcony has been booming in recent years. And the reason is more than clear. Energy prices fluctuate and more and more people are looking for a way to greater self-sufficiency. Therefore, manufacturers come up with compact systems that can be conveniently placed on a balcony, facade or garden shed. And the installation thus seems simple and affordable even for residents of apartment buildings. But the reality is a bit more complicated and the final return on investment depends on a number of conditions.
When renovating, more and more people focus on making housing not only comfortable, but also as economical as possible. Watch the video to see how, for example, concrete parts and photovoltaics complement each other:
How much electricity does it actually produce?
The basis of balcony photovoltaics usually consists of one to two panels with a power of around 600 Wp, supplemented by an inverter. Some sets can be plugged directly into a regular outlet and the energy produced can be consumed immediately, while others, on the contrary, work with a battery that stores the surplus for later. It is the possibility of direct connection to the socket that is the biggest attraction for ordinary households.
But practice shows that paper performance values are not everything. One of the users in Germany, for example, after a year of operation, states that his balcony power plant produced approximately 380 kWh per year. However, due to the southeast orientation and partial shade, he did not fully utilize some of the energy. The daily maximum was thus only around a few kilowatt hours.
The resulting savings thus mainly depend on how much of the produced you can consume yourself. If most of the energy flows into the grid without the possibility of purchase, the benefits of the whole project are significantly reduced. Balcony photovoltaics therefore make the most sense where orientation to the south and minimal shading is possible.
Price, legislation and risk
Acquisition costs range from approx 15,000 crowns for a basic set without battery up to 60,000 crowns for a more sophisticated system with an accumulator.
Legislation is also essential in Czech conditions. Balcony systems belong to the so-called micro-sources and their connection must be resolved with the distributor. You can also produce electricity for your own consumption, but unauthorized transfers to the grid can result in a fine. In addition, unannounced traffic can have an unpleasant effect when dealing with an insurance company in the event of damage.
Experts therefore recommend checking the device’s compatibility with Czech standards before purchasing and, if necessary, consult an electrician. While this may seem like a simple and practical solution, safety and proper wiring are essential.
Fashion wave or smart investment?
Unfortunately, the answer is not black and white. Under ideal conditions, a balcony system can produce several hundred kilowatt-hours per year, with a return on investment within seven to ten years. However, if you have to deal with shade, inappropriate orientation or more complex administration, the return can be significantly lower. Photovoltaics on the balcony is therefore not a universal solution for everyone, but for some households it can represent a meaningful step towards lower bills and greater energy independence.
