The „BalkonSolar“ Association is gearing up for the highlight of Freiburg’s 2026 Solar Summer. In collaboration with numerous local initiatives — supported by the City of Freiburg and the State of Baden-Württemberg, and sponsored by companies such as Hoymiles — 300 citizens will assemble 300 new plug-in-solar units from 600 used solarpanels on September 26, 2026.
The event begins at 10:00 a.m. in the schoolyard of the Weiherhof-Realschule in Freiburg and concludes around 6:00 p.m., once the 300 units are completed. Participants can take their assembled plug-in-pv units home to mount on balconies, place in gardens, or hang on fences.
The event is held under the patronage of Ms. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Thekla Walker, Minister of the Environment for the state of Baden-Württemberg. Ms. Schwarzelühr-Sutter will officially open the event at 10:00 a.m.
With this active, participatory highlight of the 2026 Solar Summer, Freiburg is sending a signal visible across Germany regarding the circular economy, citizen-led energy initiatives, and the energy transition.
Register at: http://balkon.solar/weltrekord2026
Schedule: We will provide all necessary materials to the participants. The solar panels will first be cleaned and tested for remaining power output. Next, they will be fitted with new connectors, and the complete unit will be assembled once for testing purposes. Once everything is confirmed to be working, you can take the unit home, where you can mount it yourself in a suitable spot and plug it into a power outlet.
There will be opportunities for images and filming the event and talk to participants.
About us: BalkonSolar e.V.: is a group of passsionate balcony solar enthusiasts with roots in Freiburg Germany. We are excited by the idea of generating our own solar power using simple means—specifically, plug-in solar systems in all their forms, whether mounted on a balcony, used as a sunshade or tabletop, placed on a flat roof. The Association is a registered non profit and was instrumental in realizing Germany’s right to plug in solar for renters.
Contact: Sebastian Müller (Chair), sm@balkon.solar,