This is how the unthinkable becomes possible

In Germany, there is currently a limit of 600 watts for balcony power plants, which will probably be relaxed somewhat soon. But with a trick you can even operate a balcony power plant with solar cells that generate a maximum of 1,660 watts. But there is also a risk.

Throttled balcony power plant with 1,660 watts possible

The requirements for operating a balcony power plant are actually clearly regulated in Germany. The inverter is currently allowed to output 600 watts. Soon it will probably be increased to 800 watts. However, the solar cells may have a little more power. For example in the offer from Netto for 500 euros with 820 watts. But there is more to it than that.

By throttling the inverter, you can limit the power and connect solar cells that together generate 1,660 watts. Due to the throttling, only 600 or later 800 watts are output. The first dealers sell exactly such sets, where, for example, a Deye inverter throttled from 1,600 watts to 600 watts becomes. There is a corresponding certificate so that the registration with the network operator works.

A set with four solar cells with 415 watts each, 1,600 watt inverter, throttling to 600 or 800 watts and Schuko cable is sold on eBay sold for 1,149 euros (look at eBay).

The advantage such a powerful balcony power plant lies in the four MPPT trackers. The inverter can manage each solar module individually and is not adversely affected by shading of another solar module, as is the case with solar systems connected in series. For example, if you have a large garden shed with a roof facing east and west, you can significantly increase the solar yield.

Important: But I don’t know exactly how the inverter is throttled. So it could be that the performance of the individual inputs is limited in terms of performance and the advantage is no longer so strong. It’s best to ask the dealer directly if you want to buy such a powerful balcony power plant.

This is what normal balcony power plants can do:

Is such a strong balcony power plant worth it at all?

Should the Performance of each MPPT tracker If, for example, you are not limited to 150 watts (with 600 watt throttling) and 200 watts (with 800 watt throttling), but the full variable power is available, then it’s definitely worth it. However, if the MPPT trackers are limited, then the additional modules could not bring you anything either, because then the yield could even be negative for the balance sheet if they were divided into east and west. Then a normal balcony power plant is no worse and much cheaper.

Only if you can set up the balcony power plant with all four solar cells in a southerly direction without shading, then it would be worth it in any case, because then the solar cells could produce more power in the long run. Before doing this, however, you should check with your network provider whether such a certificate for a throttled inverter is also accepted. Not that you spend a lot of money and then can’t use it.

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