The installation of balcony power plants is becoming increasingly popular in Lower Saxony, and the funding programs play an important role in this positive development. But what financial support options are available for purchasing in this region?
In this article we offer you a comprehensive overview of the current funding opportunities for balcony power plants in Lower Saxony. We will also highlight the government's planned initiatives and discuss all relevant aspects that you should consider before deciding to buy a balcony power plant.
The constantly increasing interest in balcony power plants in Lower Saxony is clearly visible in the impressive increase in installed systems. While only 23 systems were registered in Lower Saxony in 2019, this number rose to an impressive 7,500 small photovoltaic systems with a total output of 5,500 kilowatts by 2022. It is believed that the actual number is even higher than officially recorded.
This significant increase is not surprising, as Lower Saxony plays a pioneering role in promoting balcony power plants. The state offers financial support in the form of several hundred euros per household, which has resulted in Lower Saxony being in second place nationwide with 2 systems per 1,000 inhabitants, just behind Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
However, it is important to emphasize that the remarkable increase in Lower Saxony is not an isolated case. This increase is part of a broader trend across the country in which Germany is underlining its leadership in renewable energy through a variety of green energy laws and support programs.
An example of this is the sales tax exemption for the installation of balcony power plants, which provides financial support to both individuals and communities. These positive measures point to a promising future for balcony power plants, with Lower Saxony serving as an outstanding example of this development.
Lower Saxony supports: Current support programs by city and district
Promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies are a high priority in Lower Saxony. With the aim of making it easier for citizens to purchase and install balcony power plants, the federal state has launched a number of funding programs.
Below you will find a summary of the various funding programs, the associated requirements and other relevant information.
Braunschweig: The city of Braunschweig supports the purchase of a balcony power plant with a one-off fee of 250 euros for up to 400 watts peak and a one-time fee of 400 euros for up to 600 watts peak. The funding program for renewable energies of 500,000 euros is expected to be exhausted in 2023.
Friesoythe: The funding opportunities extend to the costs of purchasing small photovoltaic systems with a current peak output of up to 600 watts peak, which are installed on new and existing buildings for residential use in the urban area of Friesoythe. Both tenants and owners of owner-occupied living space in the Friesoythe urban area are eligible to apply. The application process has been deliberately simplified. After the application has been reviewed, eligible individuals will receive confirmation of funding. A one-off fixed amount of 150.00 euros will be granted as a grant. Click here for the current status of funding.
Göttingen: The city of Göttingen supports the purchase of a balcony power plant with a fixed subsidy of €360 (this corresponds to €180 per 300-watt module). The conditions for the funding are as follows: The funding extends to pluggable power generation devices (balcony modules) that must meet all relevant standards for permanently installed power generation devices. Subject to the political decision in December, the funding module is planned to continue in 2024. Click here for the current status of funding.
Hildesheim: The purchase and installation of new balcony power plants on apartments in the Hildesheim district are supported. The funding is granted in the form of a one-off, earmarked and non-repayable grant. The grant is a flat rate of €200, provided the eligible costs are at least €200. If the eligible costs are less than €200, a grant of 100% of the eligible costs will be granted.
Jever: The city of Jever has launched a funding program that is intended to financially support both owners in Jever and tenants with the purchase of plug-in solar devices with 125 euros per module and a maximum of 250 euros. Unfortunately, the funding available has already been exhausted. It is therefore no longer possible to apply for further funding.
Lüneburg: The city of Lüneburg supports the purchase of balcony modules with a payment of 150 euros and a third of the investment costs. Only people who do not have their own roof or whose roof is demonstrably not suitable for installing a photovoltaic system are eligible for funding. This is primarily intended to support tenants. Click here for the current status of funding.
Norden: The installation of photovoltaic systems (PV) as balcony modules with an inverter output in accordance with the current legal requirements of the federal government (currently 600 watts) on new and existing buildings in the area of the city of Norden is eligible for funding. For balcony modules with a module inverter and a maximum output in accordance with the current legal requirements of the federal government (600 watts), a one-off, non-refundable fixed amount of 100.00 euros is granted as a subsidy. Click here for the current status of funding.
Oldenburg: The city of Oldenburg supports the purchase of balcony modules (up to 600 watt peak) with a one-off payment of 300 euros per system. The 2023 funding program has already been exhausted. Click here for the current status of funding.
Scharnebeck: Since July 6, 2023, it has been possible to apply for a subsidy of €75 for the purchase of a so-called plug-in solar system (up to 600 watt peak). The Scharnebeck joint municipality makes both the guidelines and all necessary application documents available on the website klimaschutz-scharnebeck.de. Click here for the current status of funding.
Wunstorf: The city of Wunstorf supports the purchase of balcony modules (up to 600 WaZ peak) as part of the “Guideline on the award of grants to promote balcony solar systems in Wunstorf”. The funding amounts to a one-off amount of 250 euros, which is offset against the acquisition costs. Click here for the current status of funding.
Looking into the future: Planned measures for 2024 in Lower Saxony
One of the most important innovations concerns the reporting requirement for balcony power plants. Previously, these had to be reported to both the market master data register and the local network operator. From January 1, 2024, the need for double reporting will no longer be necessary and the investments only need to be registered with the market master data register. This should significantly simplify the process for system operators. During this process we offer you support for all systems up to 800 watt peak ( to our registration service ). The increase in standard output from 600 to 800 WaZ represents another innovation in 2024. This means that balcony power plants will become more powerful and can generate more energy.
Another important change concerns the approval of Schuko plugs as “energy connectors”. This allows for wider use of balcony power plants as Schuko plugs are widely available and easily accessible. To upgrade your existing balcony power plant or as a set with our high-quality German solar modules from Solarwatt and Meyer Burger, we offer this cable in different lengths.
Until now, the installed power of balcony power plants was limited to 600 watts. From 2024, modules with a total output of up to 2000 watts may be installed per apartment or house connection. This enables even more efficient use of renewable energies on balconies and in apartments.
In addition, reverse running meters are temporarily permitted until a bidirectional meter is installed. This allows users to temporarily feed the excess electricity generated by their balcony power plants into the grid and receive a credit in return.
Overall, these planned changes promise to significantly simplify and promote the use of balcony power plants in 2024. This not only promotes individual energy production and self-sufficiency, but also takes an important step towards sustainable energy production and environmental protection. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect the spread of balcony power plants in Germany, but the future6 for these decentralized energy solutions looks promising.
