It is make or break time for Plug-In-PV for tenants in Germany.
In October 2024, the right to have Plug-In-PV became part of the rental contract law – Since then, we are getting about two to four emails a week from tenants who would like to have solar on the balcony but are prevented from that by their landlord through ever increasing difficult, expensive and often ridiculous demands.
These demands are:
~ having it installed by an electrician,
~ a complete check of the apartments electrical wiring
~ demand a special feed in plug
~ only permitting an installation if it’s done by a specialized company,
~ demanding to see a expert report with the structural analyses of the balcony
~ prohibiting batteries
~ and so on
Bei uns haben sie dem Balkonkraftwerk zugestimmt, allerdings darf das PV Modul – nicht außen am Geländer hängen, sondern nur innerhalb installiert werden – muss die mechanische Stabilität der Halterung nachgewiesen werden -muss ein Elektriker den Kreis durchmessen und Wielandsteckdose einbauen
— Ustinoff auf Eis (@ustinoff.bsky.social) 10 May 2025 at 14:32
Unter den Umständen haben wir verzichtet.
— Ustinoff auf Eis (@ustinoff.bsky.social) 10 May 2025 at 14:32
Some landlords have taken the tenants to court, and some tenants have taken the landlords to Court over these condition.
Right now, we don’t know how the courts will decide: It is possible that the courts will decide that these conditions are just and then the market for Plug-In-PV for tenants, especially from large municipal, private or coop housing companies will be dead.
On the other hand, we also have a chance, that the courts can reject these claims and that the market will continue to grow. The first couple of cases will set the tone for all following decisions by the courts.
Therefore, it’s important that we stand with those tenants that are in front of Courts right now and help them to argue their case together with good lawyers.
Currently, we are helping around five families to resolve this but this needs money for lawyers and other expenses.