PV4All: plug-in PV modules on balconies enable fair access to renewable energy

Coordinated by the Lawaetz Foundation and ZEBAU GmbH, 24 plug-in PV modules were installed in two apartment buildings in Hamburg as a pilot project within PV4All. The modules were sponsored by 2ndlifesolar for a joint installation campaign implemented by the Lokale Energiewende SoliSolar Hamburg e.V. association and the Mesterkamp building community. Since October 19, the modules have been mounted on balconies in Hamburg-Barmbek and have been harvesting the finest solar power.

Almost 42 million people in Germany do not own their own home and often do not have the financial means to install larger photovoltaic systems. The project in Hamburg-Barmbek aims to enable fairer access to renewable energies in Germany in order to drive forward the energy transition and involve all citizens. The way a balcony solar system works is simple: it generates electricity from solar energy and feeds it directly into the household power grid. The electricity generated is used for everyday appliances such as fridges, televisions or the internet, which can lead to savings of up to 240 euros per year. The one-off investment in a balcony solar system is limited to a maximum of 500 euros, which means that the costs are recouped in just over two years through savings on energy costs. Balcony solar systems are not only a cost-effective solution, but also a sustainable one: by using used modules, the ecological footprint of the project has been significantly reduced.

24 photovoltaic modules were installed on the balconies of the Mesterkamp housing cooperative in a joint effort. The modules were sponsored by the Hamburg-based company 2ndlifesolar. This company specializes in refurbishing and reusing used photovoltaic modules, making solar technology more environmentally friendly and affordable. The modules that were donated for the Mesterkamp housing cooperative would have been disposed of as electronic waste or recycled, as they came from a transport damaged pallet. Thanks to 2ndlifesolar and modern testing technology, the modules were tested for their efficiency and can now be used as practically new modules.

The project was supported by the non-profit association SoliSolar Hamburg e.V., which specializes in the organization and installation of balcony solar systems. The plan was to install all the modules together with the residents in one day. Some modules had already been installed in advance to check that everything fitted. SoliSolar then carried out a small installation training session on the first balcony, so that installation teams were formed who then went out to install the plug-in PV modules on 17 balconies. After 3 hours, all the modules were mounted and the celebrations could begin.

This project is a pioneering example of how photovoltaic technology can be implemented simply and cost-effectively in urban apartment blocks. It shows that everyone, regardless of social or financial status, can contribute to the energy transition for a more sustainable future. The first three modules, which were installed at the end of September, have already produced 55 kW of solar power within three weeks. In the end, we can look forward to finding out what the 24 modules will produce in a year and how much energy costs the residents will save as a result.

Programme Manual Online

Choose