When you think about solar panels, most people immediately picture a rooftop array. Some might think of a large-scale solar field. But what if you live in a flat or don’t have access to a suitable roof? Maybe you’re living in a flat, or perhaps your roof isn’t ideal for solar panels.
It’s time to think outside the box, or more appropriately, outside the roof!
This is where balcony solar panels come in. They’re a simple, compact and small-scale solution for city-livers looking to use the sun to generate energy. Balcony solar is a popular option in Europe, so why not the UK?
In this post, we’ll take a look at how balcony solar panels work, their benefits and what you need to consider before installing them.
Types of balcony solar panel systems
There are two main types of solar panel systems suitable for balconies:
Plug-in solar panels
Plug-in solar panel options are designed for easy setup and don’t require professional installation. All that’s required is that the panels are placed on the balcony in a spot that receives the most direct sunlight. Most plug-in panels come with a stand or mount to prop them up, but these won’t be permanently fixed in one place. If you live in a windy area, make sure your panels are safe.
A standard plug-in system includes solar panels, a charge controller and a mini-inverter. The charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from the panels, whilst the inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by the panels into alternating current (AC) used by household appliances.
To use the energy generated in the plug-in systems straight away, they can be connected to portable solar generators. These generators tend to have outlet sockets where your appliances can be simply plugged in directly.
Plug-in solar panels can also be attached to solar storage batteries allowing you to store the energy for later use. These systems are fully portable, meaning you can take them with you if you’re going camping or on a trip.
Vertical solar panels
Vertical solar panels are professionally installed panels that are mounted on your balcony railing or wall. Unlike plug-in systems, vertical panels are connected directly to your home’s electrical system, similar to a traditional rooftop installation but on a smaller scale. This means they have to be professionally installed to make sure all regulations are adhered to.
Whilst vertical solar panels are potentially more efficient in terms of space use, they may not be suitable for all situations. This is especially true for renters who don’t own the property. In this scenario, permission from the landlord would be required.
How do I know if my balcony is suitable?
Not all balconies are created equal when it comes to solar panel suitability. Balconies can work well as an option for panels, but it all depends.
Compared to roof-mounted systems, balcony solar panels generally produce less power due to space limitations and potentially less optimal positioning. However, they can still make a meaningful contribution to your energy needs. Let’s take a look at the important factors to bear in mind when thinking about balcony solar.
- Size – If you’re going for plug-in panels, you’ll need at least 1 metre by 1 metre of space for a small run. For vertical panels, you just need the wall or railing space.
- Sunlight – Unobstructed sunlight is key. You might not get 12 hours of sunlight a day, but the system will work much better if you have hours at a time of clear, direct sunlight. Check for any shadows cast by nearby buildings, trees or even your own balcony structure.
- Orientation – In the UK, south-facing balconies are ideal as they receive the most sunlight throughout the day. East and west-facing balconies can still be viable, whilst north-facing balconies are the least suitable.
- Angle – A good angle for solar panels in the UK is between 20° and 50°. The optimal angle that rooftop installations try to achieve is 30°-40°. Many plug-in panel systems come with adjustable stands to help you find the best angle. Angling isn’t so easy to achieve with vertical PV panels.
What’s the cost of balcony solar panels?
When it comes to installing balcony solar, it’s likely that you won’t be able to fit more than two standard sized (350-400W) panels that are mains-connected. Straight away this limits your cost.
With each standard size panel costing between £450 and £650, you can expect to pay a maximum of £1,300 for two full size panels. You will then have to factor installation costs on top of this, meaning you won’t get too much change out of £2,000.
The portable plug-in style solar panels are slightly different as they are smaller in size. For example, these may come with a power rating of 220W. For these smaller units, you should expect to pay anywhere from £200 up to £600.
With non-mains connected balcony solar panels, you’ll need to add some form of solar battery or generator to use the electricity. These can add another £200 to £600. Read up on how a solar battery works.
It’s quite common now to get balcony solar generation kits to make everything a little easier. These kits are essentially the PV panels, plus inverter and battery storage. These are more expensive and can cost up to £2,500 for high powered systems.
For example, the EcoFlow DELTA Max kits start off with 220W PV and a 2kWh battery for just over £1,000. The solar panels can be expanded up to 880W and the battery up to 6kWh.
In terms of savings, a 400W plug-in balcony solar panel could save you around £100 per year on electricity bills.
Whilst there are no specific grants for portable solar panels, if you opt for a professionally installed, mains-connected system, you might be eligible for schemes like ECO4 or the Home Upgrade Grant, particularly if you’re in a low-income household.
Do I need permission to install balcony solar panels
It’s likely that you will need some form of permission to install solar panels on your balcony. This is distinct from the instances when you need planning permission for rooftop solar. Here are some key points to consider:
- If you’re renting, check your lease agreement and speak to your landlord directly
- Consult with your building management or homeowners’ association if you own the flat or apartment
- Review local building regulations, which may have specific rules about balcony modifications
Pros and cons of balcony solar
Balcony solar panels have their advantages and disadvantages that are worth considering:
Pros
- Solar energy accessible for people in apartments and renters
- Easy installation, especially for plug-in systems
- Lower initial cost compared to full rooftop systems
- Adjustable angles for ideal sun exposure (for portable systems)
- Plug-in systems can be moved and even taken with you on staycation trips
- Low maintenance and easy to clean
- Long lifespan (10 year plus)
Cons
- Limited space means fewer panels and less power generation
- May take up valuable balcony space
- Generally less efficient than roof panels
- Plug-in panels need to be paired with a battery/generator which is an additional cost
In general, the advantages of solar panels outweigh the disadvantages. Have a read of some of the less obvious benefits of solar panels.
Verdict on balcony solar
Balcony solar panels can be a good addition for those living in flats and apartments to join the renewable energy movement. It’s clear that they won’t replace your entire electricity supply, but they can contribute to reducing your bills and carbon footprint.
Just how much they can reduce your bills is worth weighing up in relation to their upfront costs so you can work out the payback period.
As solar technology continues to move on at speed, we’re likely to see improvements in the efficiency and design of balcony solar systems. Future innovations will hopefully include increased power output and better integration with home energy management systems.
