Balcony Solar Power: Is it Worth Installing in Your Home?

Whether sourced from discount retailers or well-known brands such as Ecoflow and Anker, balcony power plants have surged in popularity. However, the pressing question remains: are these systems truly worthwhile? At nextpit, we crunch the numbers to help you determine whether investing in a balcony power plant is a prudent choice for you—both with and without storage solutions.

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Balcony power plants can often be found for prices below 400 euros, with some providers claiming that users can recoup their investment within three years. But is this claim accurate, and under what circumstances can such returns be expected?

If you would like to delve deeper into the subject of balcony power plants, our Energy section offers a wealth of knowledge to expand your understanding.

Table of Contents:

What is the cost of a balcony power plant?

The encouraging news is that components for balcony power plants are becoming increasingly affordable. In Europe, complete kits are nearing the 500-euro range, with manufacturers like EcoFlow and Anker signaling their intent to expand into the US market.

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Anker Solix RS40P

Opting for kits from seasoned manufacturers like Anker may involve a higher upfront cost; however, this often comes with beneficial customer support for troubleshooting. Additionally, purchasing a complete kit generally ensures compatibility, along with essential guidance for safe installation and proper ballasting.

What is your annual electricity consumption?

Understanding your annual electricity usage is crucial before settling on a balcony power plant. You can find this information on your electricity bill. In the US, for a typical household, the average annual consumption is approximately 10,632 kWh, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), whereas, in Europe, a two-person apartment often averages around 2,100 kWh/year.

For a more accurate calculation, knowing your household’s base load can be advantageous. The base load refers to the energy consumed when no one is at home—this includes power for the refrigerator, heating and cooling systems, internet modem, and devices on standby. Balcony power plants are particularly designed to meet the base load demand during daylight hours.

These plants provide a continuous feed of electricity into your home’s grid, but how much power can you realistically generate over a year?

What is the electricity production potential of a balcony power plant?

Answering this involves considering two main components: the inverter and the solar panels themselves. The output of the solar panels is influenced by their orientation and tilt. Various online calculators are available to help estimate the annual yield of balcony power plants.

For an example, one might use Google's Project Sunroof calculator, which provides a rough estimate of the average usable sunlight for the year and the available area for solar panels if you are also contemplating a roof installation.

Most US-oriented calculators focus on roof installations; however, you can obtain a general estimate of savings on electricity bills with smaller solar setups by checking your kilowatt (kW) output.

What is the lifespan of a balcony power plant?

The expected lifespan of balcony power plants can be an essential factor for potential buyers, typically lasting longer than your next smartphone. Modern solar panel manufacturers usually offer warranties for ten years, and some even extend up to 30 years. Although warranties for inverters tend to be shorter, they usually span from five to twelve years.

Is it worthwhile to add a storage unit to your balcony power plant?

Current market trends feature numerous storage solutions designed for balcony power plants that can be retrofitted easily. The primary goal is to avoid sending excess energy produced during the day back to the grid, opting instead to store it momentarily in a battery. When the sun sets and the panels cease to provide power, the system can then utilize the stored energy.

Most storage systems designed for balcony power plants allow you to set your household’s base load level. The system then optimizes the feeding of energy from the battery to maintain this base load as consistently as possible.

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Anker Solix Solarbank

If you are in search of a comprehensive solar power solution for your entire home, consider consulting with Anker Solix for personalized quotes.

Similar to traditional solar roof installations, expect the system to earn back its initial investment over time—typically between 8 to 15 years, depending on your selection of components and your local utility rates. Therefore, choosing a reputable company that provides extensive warranty coverage is highly recommended.

It is challenging to establish a definitive guide covering costs and return on investment (ROI) for all states in the US. However, we hope this introductory guide assists in your solar installation considerations. We invite you to share your estimated calculations in the comments and let us know if you decided to take the leap into solar energy.

If you’re keen to learn more about balcony power plants or explore purchasing options, check our informational resources on Balcony Power Plant.