What are balcony solar systems? Photovoltaic systems are an optimal way to generate energy: solar energy is converted into electricity by solar panels. But not everyone has a sufficiently large roof to mount such a system.
A tenant-friendly variant of photovoltaic systems, also known as balcony power plants, is the solution here.
These photovoltaic solar systems are mounted on or at the barriers of a balcony and thus capture valuable solar energy. Alternatively, the panels of such a private power station can also be mounted on house walls, gardens or windows. The possibilities here are manifold. This is ideal for residents of rented apartments who, despite the lack of roof space, can still generate cheap and, above all, “green” electricity.
You can order SolarFlow here
What is SolarFlow? SolarFlow is the innovative new concept from Zendure, a specialist in storage solutions. SolarFlow is a storage system that optimizes your use of solar systems. The storage system can be purchased as a complete package with a solar panel and micro-inverter from Zendure, but can also be used with existing balcony solar panels regardless of the manufacturer.
The SolarFlow central unit is equipped with an intelligent battery management system and stores excess energy in the associated LFP batteries. This is the great strength of SolarFlow, because the system prevents the generated energy from being lost and makes it available for the night. A family of four has an average daily power consumption of 9.5 kilowatt hours, the average daily power generation of an 800 W photovoltaic system is 3 kilowatt hours. With two SolarFlow batteries, you can use 100 percent of the electricity yourself, which can save you up to 32 percent on annual electricity bills. This corresponds to an average of 438 euros.
This is Zendure: Zendure is a Chinese startup that has now become one of the fastest growing energy tech companies. The company’s goal is to make energy quickly and effectively accessible, no matter where. Company founder Bryan Liu himself had to spend the first 8 years of his life in a small village in China where there was no electricity. His parents had to search for poisonous snakes in his bed with an oil lamp. To make such stories a thing of the past, Zendure wants to offer solutions with its innovative energy concepts that provide cheap and green energy for everyone.
Build your own balcony power plant with solar panels and SolarFlow
How does it all work? SolarFlow consists of three elements: solar systems, a photovoltaic hub with 800W output as the central control element, and lithium-iron phosphate-based batteries. With conventional systems of this type, energy that is not used immediately is irretrievably lost.
SolarFlow, on the other hand, controls the energy flow via the intelligent micro-inverter in the hub in such a way that the excess energy is not wasted but stored in the batteries. The electricity collected in this way can then be used overnight to operate your electrical devices and you save a lot of energy.
A battery stores 960 watt hours. But you can stack up to 4 batteries and get a volume of 3,840Wh. This makes it ideal for all users who have a power consumption of 2 to 4 kWh per night.
These are the advantages of a balcony power plant
SolarFlow users have the great advantage that they don’t give away any energy. You can use the yield of your balcony solar panels optimally and use cheap and, above all, emission-free electricity overnight.
The LFP batteries used are effective and safe as they are very robust and also cannot burst into flames. If you use more than one battery, you can simply plug the waterproof battery blocks into each other wirelessly. If necessary, you can also take the batteries with you and use them to provide electricity on your next camping trip or a party at the lake.
Also cool: If you already have components from another manufacturer, you can easily combine them with SolarFlow and continue to use them. The operation of the system is very easy via app.
You can order SolarFlow here
Less bureaucracy, more savings – Now is the best time to set up a balcony power plant
What else do I have to consider? Solar energy generated by citizens falls under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and was previously fraught with bureaucracy and hurdles. However, the new version of the EEG contains some improvements and simplifications.
All regulations of the EEG 2023 have been in force since January 2023. Retrospectively as of January 1st, 2022, PV systems up to 30 kWp will no longer be taken into account for income tax purposes. From January 1st, 2023, a VAT rate of 0 percent will apply to private PV systems. For many photovoltaic systems, the rule no longer applies that only 70 percent of the nominal PV power may be fed into the public grid. Further information on the official requirements for private balcony power plants can be found here.
What is the price of SolarFlow? Anyone who now feels encouraged by the new regulations to buy a balcony power plant or want to use their existing PV system for the balcony even more effectively with a storage system can already buy it: SolarFlow is currently on pre-sale at a price of 1,799 Euro for the PV hub with two LFP batteries of 960 watt hours each.