Balcony power stations: 2 kW instead of 960 W maximum output required
In its draft for a product standard, the VDE envisages a lower maximum output than is legally possible. Consumer advocates do not like this.
(Image: heise online; ds)
The maximum permitted power for plug-in solar devices should be set higher than previously envisaged by the German Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE). This is the opinion of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (Verbraucherzentralen Bundesverband, vzbv) in a statement on a VDE draft for a plug-in solar device product standard.
The VDE has set the maximum value for the installed power at 960 W, in contrast to the legally stipulated 2 kW, writes the vzbv. It should adapt the value to the law. With Solar Package I, the feed-in limit for plug-in solar systems was raised from 600 to 800 watts in mid-May of this year. An installed output of the solar modules of 2 kW is permitted. The VDE should adapt its product standard to this specification, says the vzbv. The VDE has complied with another of its demands by increasing the maximum inverter output of 600 volt-amperes provided for in its first draft to 800 volt-amperes.
Schuko plug
In the first draft of the product standard, the use of the Schuko household plug was not conclusively clarified, writes the vzbv. As a result, it demanded in February 2023 that the connection to a classic household socket (Schuko socket) should be considered to comply with the standard. The possible plug connections have now been included in the binding part of the standard in the second draft of the product standard. In addition to the Wieland plug, the Schuko household plug should also be approved under certain safety requirements.
The vzbv is calling for this to continue. "The planned permission to connect plug-in solar devices to a conventional household socket would enable consumers to use the devices easily and cost-effectively," said Henning Herbst, vzbv spokesperson for the electricity market and renewable energies. "The permitted module output should be adapted to the legal regulations of Solar Package I. This creates clarity for consumers through uniform regulations."
The product standard VDE 0126-95, which the VDE is working on, is not a law, and balcony power plant owners can violate it with impunity. However, the VDE standards are consulted by experts in insurance cases, for example. Anyone who does not adhere to the standard is therefore at risk of being stuck with the costs in the event of damage. In February of this year, VDE documents on the product standard became known. It stated that the VDE had concerns about older installations, in which higher module outputs could lead to cables overheating or even fires in very unfavorable load cases. In a position paper from 2023, the VDE stated that 800 W would correspond to the standard at European level.
Foremost, tenants will have more rights vis-à-vis landlords to install balcony power plants. The Bundestag passed a law to this effect on Thursday evening. The law makes balcony power plants "privileged structural changes". This means that tenants and apartment owners do not have to justify the installation of such a solar system.
(anw)
