Balcony solar systems Bonn

Balcony solar systems in Bonn: funding and application

Overview

Balcony solar systems are small photovoltaic systems for plug sockets. They are also called plug-in solar devices or mini PV systems. The City of Bonn supports them through the Solares Bonn programme with income-based tiers; funding for 2026 is currently exhausted.

Funding in Bonn

The invoice amount includes modules, micro-inverters, cables, plugs and, where applicable, storage, but not delivery costs. Submit the application before purchase, as retrospective funding applies only in exceptional cases within three months of the invoice date.

The budget of around 1 million EUR for 2026 has already been exhausted. New applications are currently not possible. The city will provide information as soon as funds become available again.

Programme page: bonn.de, Solares Bonn funding programme

Local providers

State and federal funding

North Rhine-Westphalia had a state programme for solar installations called progres.nrw. The state has since discontinued this programme. Since January 2023, the zero VAT rate has applied nationwide to private photovoltaic systems. The technical rules and registration requirement in the Marktstammdatenregister apply uniformly nationwide. Details are provided in the background document Balkonkraftwerke in Deutschland.

Tenants’ rights

Under § 554 BGB, tenants are entitled to install a plug-in solar device. Landlords may not impose a blanket ban on installation. They may set reasonable requirements, for example concerning the type of mounting. In Bonn, registered tenants even receive a higher funding rate than owners.

Registration with the grid operator

The grid operator in Bonn is Bonn-Netz GmbH. Since Solarpaket I, separate registration with the grid operator is no longer required. Anyone already operating an EEG-subsidised PV system on the same meter should consult Bonn-Netz before purchase.

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