Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US?

https://grist.org/energy/balcony-solar-took-off-in-germany-why-not-the-us/

by Generalaverage89

28 comments

  2. Big subsidies in Germany: [https://archive.ph/5WXaZ](https://archive.ph/5WXaZ)

    In certain parts of the country, the systems are basically free as the national and regional subsidies pay for most if not all of the cost and there is government mandated net metering.

  3. Because it’s illegal. You need to change the NEC to allow Germany-type plug and play balcony solar. There is technically one single product that is legal in Utah, but its expensive and not consumer plu-n-play but requires installation.

    Why is it illegal? Largely because we are on 120v so we have slimmer margins in our wiring.

  6. >The code is updated every three years, with the next iteration due later this year for the 2026 edition. Ginsberg-Klemmt and his working group submitted recommendations for amending the code to allow plug-in solar — and every one of them was rejected in October.

    >Jeff Sargent, the National Fire Protection Association’s staff liaison to the National Electrical Code committee, told Grist that this is the first time the organization had received public comments about plug-in solar systems. For now, it cannot consider amendments to allow their use until a compatible ground fault circuit interrupter exists, he said. Once that’s available, he said, the association can ensure that outdoor outlets can be safely used for balcony solar.

    It’s also being heavily held back by regulators who are failing to be forward looking. They know it’s possible but refuse to write it into the regulations untill someone makes one. And no one is inclined to make one untill the regulations are changed.

  8. My gut says solar on south-facing walls gets more popular the further north you go.

    Berlin (52 degrees N) is 500 miles north of Montreal (45 degrees N), the sun doesn’t really get too high in the sky there. People use their rooftops for solar in the US.

  10. Probably because Americans earn more money and have cheaper electricity so the money theyd save is so insignificant that they wouldnt even bother. When you look at the cars people drive in America, it doesnt exactly scream ‘im trying to minimize the money i spend on a car’ the same way when Europeans drive a Yaris or a Polo.

  11. I’m not sure the last time I saw a privately owned home in the US with a balcony.

    Apartments and hotels have them sure, but they wouldn’t let it be installed or trust tenants not to break it.

    It’s like asking why Florida doesn’t decorate their snowmen.

  12. Natural gas, in extension, electricity is significantly less costly in US. Even houses with huge roof are mostly absence of solar panel

  13. Cause of the power companies kind of have you by the throat when you get solar here. Your billing rate increases when you put solar

  14. Because no one trusts the brands selling solar panels, and the ones that seem legit are over priced for what they are.

  15. In the US, is the **UL** (**Underwriters Labratories**) still a trusted entity and do they test solar panels?

    I’m worried about a fire 🔥. I would consider “balcony” solar for other areas of my home if I knew it was safe (storage shed, detached garage, etc.)

  16. The business or people advocating werent politically connected?
    No, wait, I know! Bc coal is going to rebound.
    Nailed it

  17. Many factors.   Lack of knowledge.  An active campaign (that is winning) to hamper renewables development, HOAs that don’t want solar panels to make everything ugly and we are stupid.    Oh yeah.   Let’s not forget all the animals we would be killing by installing solar. 

  18. Everyone who I know that has solar has chosen to install it on their roof.

    I don’t know anyone who owns a balcony.

    Balcony solar seems like it’d be useful for apartments. I can’t imagine a balcony amount of solar would be all that meaningful for a typical house in the US. Covering the roof in solar is probably just a better investment in general.

    Also, I think it depends on other factors. I live in an area with great hydro. Electricity isn’t that expensive.

    But you can bet the next time my roof needs to be upgraded, it’s going to get solar for sure.

  20. I would think that there should be some stipulations here. To make the expense worth the gain you probably need a south facing balcony. I would like to see the cost of the system and the projected payback period.

  21. # Balcony Solar Is Legal in the U.S. — Grist Just Didn’t Do Their Homework

    The recent Grist article *“Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US?”* suggests that plug-and-play solar isn’t available in the U.S. because of regulatory hurdles and technical barriers.

    **That’s simply wrong.**
    If the author had done even basic research, they would have discovered that **CraftStrom Solar** already offers a **fully NEC and UL-compliant plug-and-play solar system** — right here in the United States. No guesswork. No gray area. **Certified, legal, and operational today.**

    Here are the facts Grist missed:

    **NEC & UL Compliance:**
    CraftStrom’s kits use **UL 1741-certified microinverters** with full **anti-islanding protection**, meeting all U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for safe, grid-connected solar installations.

    **Smart Breaker for Extra Safety:**
    CraftStrom’s integrated **Smart Breaker** monitors household circuit loads and automatically disconnects if the 80% load threshold is approached — exceeding code requirements for plug-and-play safety.

    **Real-Time Power Monitoring:**
    Each kit includes a **PowerMeter** that tracks real-time energy production and consumption, helping homeowners safely maximize self-consumption without backfeeding unwanted energy into the grid.

    **Plug-and-Play Installation:**
    CraftStrom’s system installs in minutes — **no permits, no professional installers, no utility approvals needed** — exactly like the balcony solar movement in Germany, but fully U.S.-compliant.

    **Advanced Panel Technology:**
    CraftStrom’s lightweight **200W bifacial, semi-flexible solar panels** capture up to **30% more energy** by harvesting reflected sunlight. Built with aerospace-grade **ETFE material** and sealed with epoxy, these panels offer real durability — backed by a **10-year warranty**.

    **Energy Storage Ready:**
    CraftStrom offers modular **LiFePO₄ battery storage** options, allowing homeowners to store excess energy for EV charging, backup power, or full off-grid flexibility — without utility entanglement.

    # The Real Story:

    While Grist claims the U.S. isn’t ready for balcony solar, the truth is **CraftStrom made it ready** — and is already delivering it to customers across the country for the past 5 years.

    Instead of repeating outdated talking points, it’s time the media caught up with innovators who are actually solving the problems — not just writing about them.

    **CraftStrom didn’t wait for the market to change. We built the change.**

    Learn more here:
    🔗 [CraftStrom NEC & UL Compliance – CleanTechnica Article](https://cleantechnica.com/2025/04/14/craftstroms-smart-plug-play-solar-kits-are-already-nec-ul-compliant/)

  22. Due to tariffs and sanctions, US panels are nearly three times the cost of global averages. Balcony solar is a pretty marginal form of generating solar power, so the panels have to be dirt cheap to make it work.

  25. Becuz Murica! We ain’t doin that commie shit!

    /s

    I think in truth, what I typed above isn’t really that far from the truth.

  26. Electricity prices in US are much lower. Panel prices are higher.

  28. What percentage of Americans have a balcony vs Germans?

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