Balcony Power Plant 2026: What Has Really Changed with Solar Package 1?

Balcony Power Plants 2026: What has truly changed with Solar Package 1?

Solar Package 1, which came into effect on May 16, 2024, has fundamentally changed the rules for balcony power plants in Germany. Many of the previous bureaucratic hurdles have been removed.

The most important changes at a glance

1. 800 Watts without a separate grid operator application: Today, simple registration in the market master data register is sufficient. This takes about 10 minutes.

2. No more mandatory meter replacement: For plug-in solar devices up to 800 watts, you do not need to take any active measures on the meter.

3. Landlords can no longer simply say "No": Tenants now have a right to install a balcony power plant. Landlords must provide factual reasons.

4. Simplified technical requirements: Connection via a standard Schuko plug is now explicitly permitted.

5. Module output of up to 2,000 Watt Peak allowed: The module output (not the inverter output!) can be up to 2,000 watts, which enables bifacial high-performance modules.

What else could change in 2026?

Discussions are currently underway in Germany regarding a further increase in feed-in capacity to 1,200 or even 2,000 watts. Some EU countries already allow higher values.

Conclusion

Solar Package 1 has brought real simplifications. Anyone who buys and installs a balcony power plant in 2026 will hardly have to worry about registration obligations – 10 minutes in the market master data register, and you are compliant with the law.