At a sustainability trade fair in Berlin, Waltraud Berg discovered a game-changing gadget – a compact solar panel that could easily be mounted on a balcony and connected to a wall socket. This innovative device allows individuals like Ms. Berg to harness solar energy and use it to power their homes directly.
Ms. Berg, a retiree, was excited by the opportunity to generate her own electricity and increase her self-sufficiency. She took the initiative to install multiple panels on her south-facing balcony without the need for professional assistance.
While each lightweight panel produces a modest amount of electricity suitable for charging a laptop or running a small appliance, these systems are driving a significant shift towards green energy in German households. The ease of installation means that individuals can embrace renewable energy without extensive investments, specialized skills, or heavy equipment.
“You don’t need to drill or hammer anything,” Ms. Berg explained. “You just hang them from the balcony like wet laundry in Italy.”
In Germany, these plug-in solar panels are available for purchase at affordable prices, starting from 200 euros. The accessibility and simplicity of these systems have led to widespread adoption, with over 500,000 installations already in place across the country.
New legislation that has relaxed regulations on solar panel installations has further fueled this trend. In the first half of the year, Germany witnessed a significant increase in photovoltaic capacity, with nine gigawatts of solar power systems being added, as reported by the Federal Network Agency.
