Balcony Photovoltaic | Don't Waste

Un balcony photovoltaic system (also called “plug & play” or “mini photovoltaic”) can be a good solution to reduce the domestic electricity consumption: the costs are not excessive (there is also a 36 percent tax deduction), installation is quick and easy, the power is between 300 and 600 Wp (the acronym stands for Peak Watts, and in English Watt-peak, or the maximum power that a panel can generate under standard conditions).

Index of topics

How to install

Installing a balcony photovoltaic system is quick and easy. DIY kits are also available for purchase. plug & play system Already pre-assembled, with a power rating of less than 800W, you don't even need an electrician. Then, simply do the following:

Installing the mini-photovoltaic system with brackets or supports on the balcony.
Connect it directly to a Schuko socket (where permitted)

The important thing is to check the regulations in the municipality where this type of system is installed and inform your network operator.

If the system is more complex, the intervention of a qualified electrician is necessary to take care of the connection to the home network, verifies that the system is compliant and draws up a declaration of conformity (Di.Co.).

The third possibility is to contact a specialized company, starting from the groups that supply energy, which generally They offer a turnkey service, which includes supply of the kit, installation, bureaucratic procedures and maintenance.

Permissions

In Italy it is permesso install plug & play systems up to 800 W without any particular authorizations, neither building permits nor those from the operator, but still need the communication to the condominium, and also to ENEA to obtain the tax deduction, and it is advisable to notify one of the local suppliers.

In particular circumstances, about which one must be well informed through the offices of the municipality where the photovoltaic system on the balcony is installed, there may be local building regulations restrictive or landscape constraints.

How much do you save?

So, how can you best utilize your balcony to improve your private energy supply without incurring frustrating condominium restrictions and without squandering this opportunity? Choose a small panel that isn't overly bulky from an aesthetic standpoint, yet still capable of generating up to 400 kWh per year. This way, considering that the panel has a lifespan of around 20-25 years, you'll have generated an average energy bill saving of 20-25 percent. An excellent result in an era of bills very expensive.

A simple, small, plug-and-play photovoltaic panel, once connected to the home grid, can provide additional power of up to 1 kWp.

How it works

The mini-system works like a classic solar panel: light photons strike the silicon photovoltaic cells that make up the panel. This triggers a physical reaction that produces direct current energy. The inverter , which the mini-device is equipped with, converts the direct current into alternating current, the type commonly used in domestic and industrial buildings.

The tilt of solar panels in a balcony photovoltaic system generally ranges between 20 and 30 degrees, and the panel should obviously be oriented toward the south. However, this can vary based on two variables: the season and the geographic area where the system is installed. In summer, to maximize light, the tilt is reduced to 20 degrees, while in winter it can rise to 60 degrees. In southern regions, the tilt tends toward 20 degrees, while in northern regions it tends toward 40 degrees.

Railing panels

In addition to strictly portable systems, there are several varieties of "planter" panels available on the market, which can be hung from railings, thus eliminating floor space clutter. This solution, however, isn't always feasible because it depends greatly on the balcony's location relative to sunlight.

Benefits

It's important to clarify a key point right away: a mini-solar balcony system won't be able to cover the daily energy needs of a single family home. Overall, a 300-600 Wp balcony system can cover approximately 5-15% of an average family's energy needs (depending on lifestyle and self-consumption).

But aside from savings, there are other advantages of a balcony photovoltaic system:

A significant reduction in CO₂ emissions (about 245 kg/year, on average)
The current produced will be consumed directly from the appliances in use.
The mini balcony photovoltaic system is easily movable. Almost all models on the market now come with a four-wheeled stand that ensures stability. convenient mobility, with the possibility of moving according to specific needs. Think, for example, of someone who has installed it in a rented house and then has to leave when the contract expires.
Tax deductions are available which in fact reduce the cost of the system

As you can also read on IdeasGreen.it Solar panels for balconies are a decidedly growing trend.

Cost

Generally, the cost of a balcony photovoltaic system varies between 600 and 2.500 euros.

Based on the different types of balcony photovoltaic systems, the average costs are as follows:

300W Plug & Play Systems: These easy-to-install systems start at around €600 and can go up to €900.
600W Systems: These systems, which offer greater power, start at €800 and can go up to €1.200.
800W systems with storage: These systems, which include batteries for energy storage, have a cost that can vary between €1.000 and €1.400

Tax deductions

There are several tax deductions available for purchasing a balcony photovoltaic system.

50% IRPEF tax deduction for first home (with expenses up to 96.000 euros).
36% deduction for second homes (with a maximum expenditure of 48,000 euros).
The following applies to the purchase of photovoltaic kits (panels, inverters, any batteries): a VAT reduced to 10% instead of 22%, upon declaration by the buyer.

The deduction is divided into 10 annual installments of equal amount and to take advantage of it, the following are mandatory:

A talking bank transfer (indicating the beneficiary's tax code, the supplier's VAT number and regulatory reference).
Sending an ENEA communication within 90 days of the end of the works.
The preservation of invoices, bank transfers and receipts for any checks.

disadvantages

Alongside the advantages, balcony photovoltaics also have some disadvantages that should be examined for each individual purchase.

Limited power: lenergy production is low.
Mini-photovoltaic covers only a small part of electricity consumption, often only those in standby or light appliances.
Balconies often don't have good exposure to the sun.
The presence of shadows, tends, other buildings, or the position at north or east/west drastically reduce yield.
Production is high in high summer, but in winter it becomes very lowAt night and on cloudy days, production is zero or negligible.
The energy produced can be exploited only if consumed in real time.
Generally, the possibility of accumulate energy or feed it into the grid for a fee (except in the case of more advanced systems).
Il energy bill received for the introduction into the network, in these cases, it is none or very low, making the investment less convenient.

Balcony photovoltaic systems: how much they cost and how to install them