Germany’s plug-in solar market, also known as balcony solar, has grown rapidly as households look for low-cost, simple ways to generate electricity. In an exclusive interview with TaiyangNews, Craig Morris, the CEO of Bundesverband Steckersolar (BVSS, or the German Association of Plug-in Solar), said the technology is becoming a complementary solution to rooftop solar, especially for apartment residents and households that cannot afford larger rooftop systems.
Preferring to use the term ‘plug-in solar’ to ‘balcony solar’, Morris said that the concept became possible after the development of microinverters, which allow each solar panel to operate independently and improve performance under shading conditions.
While many such systems are installed on balconies, they can also be used on rooftops, patios, gardens, or carports. Over time, falling equipment costs and dedicated mounting systems helped create today’s plug-in solar market.
Morris described plug-in solar as a complementary market to rooftop solar rather than a competitor. He said it offers an entry point for consumers who want to start using solar energy without making a large upfront investment.
According to Morris, Germany now has 1.3 million registered plug-in solar systems, although the real number could be significantly higher because some systems remain unregistered.
He said the systems are particularly attractive because they cost far less than rooftop solar installations. While a rooftop system may cost around $10,000, a typical 2-panel plug-in system in Germany can cost about €500 and cover roughly half of a small household’s electricity demand.
On barriers to growth, he identified three major challenges: limited awareness among policymakers, slow-moving standards processes, and resistance from property managers in apartment buildings. He said standards bodies are cautious because the systems connect via standard household plugs, even though Germany has shown the technology to be safe. Requiring electricians and special sockets, he argued, would sharply increase costs and reduce adoption.
However, awareness of this application is growing internationally, with countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, and the US exploring policies for plug-in solar.
Looking beyond developed markets, Morris said affordability will be a key challenge in emerging economies. He suggested financing approaches such as social leasing and pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) systems to help lower-income households adopt the technology. He also noted that similar solar home systems were deployed in off-grid markets in the 1990s and could now be adapted for both on-grid and off-grid applications.
Looking ahead to 2030, Morris said he expects plug-in solar systems with batteries to become common worldwide. These can expand distributed electricity generation in both developed and developing countries while taking pressure off the grid.
This is a summary of the interview. Stay tuned for the full Q&A, to be published soon on the TaiyangNews website.