More and more discounters are offering solar power plants, so-called plug-in solar devices, for little money. But what can the mini PV systems for the balcony do?
Munich – With plug-in solar devices, you can also generate your own solar power as a tenant or apartment owner. And that too at ever lower prices, because the hype about the balcony power plants has reached the discounters, in which a revolution at the checkout will soon herald the end of the barcode. Netto already has a wide variety of versions in its range, and Lidl will follow up with a mini solar system in May. And competitor Aldi will soon follow suit. But are the mini-PV systems also any good?
Small "balcony power plant" - mini PV systems do not always have to be mounted on the outside of the balcony. © Stefan Sauer/picture alliance
Balcony power plant from the discounter: Netto, Lidl and from June also at Aldi
While the sale of a wide variety of solar power plants for the balcony at Netto is already running at prices starting at 499 euros, Lidl will not start selling the mini PV system for less than 200 euros until May 17. Aldi Nord has also already revealed the first details of an offer that will go on sale at the discounter on June 1, 2023: "Secure your own balcony power plant in your ALDI Nord store from 01.06. Here you will soon find out what you have to pay attention to and what requirements must be met to operate a solar power plant on the balcony," writes Aldi Nord on its website, but does not yet reveal a price.
- What can a plug-in solar device do?
- The solar panel generates electricity from sunlight, which an inverter converts into "household electricity". This is connected directly to an existing circuit in the apartment. In the simplest case, you insert a plug into an existing socket.
- Basically, a plug-in solar device is suitable for apartments with
- a balcony
- a terrace
- a roof area above the apartment or in front of the window
- a garage roof
- an outer wall surface facing the sun
- Source: Consumer Advice Centre North Rhine-Westphalia
Netto, Aldi and Lidl sell solar power plant for the balcony: What experts say
"We welcome the fact that the topic of plug-in solar is becoming more and more widespread and that consumers can now easily purchase such devices in hardware stores or supermarkets," explains Jörg Sutter, photovoltaics consultant in the energy sector from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Centre to merkur.de IPPEN. MEDIA.
He advises: "From the point of view of consumer protection, it is important to us that the devices are purchased as a complete set, so that the supplier is responsible for ensuring that the components also fit together well and achieve optimal yields." Sutter continues: "Such sets should also include modules, inverters, cables with plugs and the substructure. In most cases, you can choose between fastening options, for example balcony railings or garage roofs. Then consumers can build it up even with little manual dexterity."
Solar power plant for the balcony of Aldi and Lidl: What can the discounter models do?
When asked when a photovoltaic system is worthwhile, the NRW consumer advice centre explains: "The mini solar systems usually generate enough electricity to cover a significant part of a household's basic needs and peak load on sunny days."
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Energy expert Jörg Sutter adds: "We also consider the topic of plug-in solar interesting because it is also the only way in which tenants can participate in the energy transition," says Jörg Sutter. In addition, you can really save money with the mini power plants.
Solar power: Lidl sells balcony power plant for 200 euros
But even if the photovoltaic modules with the dimensions of 1.77 x 1.10 meters (net) or 1.07 x 0.77 meters (Aldi) occupy relatively small areas - the following applies to rental and owner-occupied apartments: If you want to attach the solar module to the balcony parapet or the wall of the house, the landlord or condominium community usually has to agree.
