Germany passed a new law allowing renters to install plug-in solar panels on their balconies. The new law significantly limits the ability of landlords and homeowners associations to prevent such installations. Only in cases where there is a compelling reason can these entities intervene.
Renters in Germany can now install solar energy systems with a capacity of up to 2,000 watts. That amount of electricity is sufficient to power common household items such as light bulbs, cellphone chargers, toasters, coffee makers and even medium-sized refrigerators. The cost of installing these solar devices typically ranges between around $500 to $1,600.
Historically, Germany relied heavily on Russian gas for its energy, with imports from Russia constituting 55% of the nation’s gas supply. However, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent trade sanctions, Germany increasingly turned to solar energy to meet its needs. Solar farms have been particularly successful, at times generating more than 60% of the country’s electricity this year.
By enabling renters to install solar panels, the new law extends access to solar technology to a significant portion of the population. With over half of Germany’s residents living in rented accommodations, this policy could have a sizable impact on the adoption of solar energy across the country.