Since October 2024, plug-in balcony solar has been a privileged structural alteration in German condo law: the owners' association can no longer ban it outright.
"Every apartment owner may demand reasonable structural alterations serving power generation by plug-in solar devices."
— § 20 (2) sentence 1 no. 5 WEG (inserted by the Act of 24 Oct 2024, translated)
The community only shapes the how
Rules on appearance (e.g. mounting on the inside of the balcony), fixing method and electrical safety remain permissible. A blanket "no" has been contestable since the amendment. § 554 BGB was extended in parallel – tenants hold the same claim against their landlords.
Technical guardrails as of 2024/2025
- Up to 800 W inverter output under the simplified regime (Solar Package I).
- Registration only in the national installation register – the grid operator no longer needs separate notice.
- Backwards-spinning meters are tolerated until a two-way meter is installed.
Practical recommendation
One design resolution ("inside mounting only, manufacturer-approved fixings, proof of registration") settles the topic for the entire building – published as a legal event in eigentumwerk, every owner knows where they stand.