Decentralized energy generation through plug-in solar systems (so-called balcony power plants) offers private households an easy way to actively participate in the energy transition. Especially for tenants and apartment owners without access to large roof areas, this technology represents an attractive solution. Despite their growing popularity and increasing registration numbers, a key challenge remains: a large share of the generated energy is not consumed directly but fed into the grid without compensation. This is due, on the one hand, to the comparatively low base load of many households, which often ranges between only 20 and 100 watts, and on the other hand to the temporal mismatch between energy generation and consumption—particularly during sunny daytime hours when many residents are away from home.
Against this background, intelligent energy use and management systems are becoming increasingly important. Innovative solutions aim to significantly enhance the efficiency of balcony power plants through compact, modular energy management systems. These systems integrate all relevant components—ranging from battery storage and charge controllers to control electronics—into a unified and user-friendly design. A single-plug solution is intended to further simplify installation, allowing the system to be mounted directly behind commercially available solar panels. In addition, a specially developed support structure with passive cooling ensures the mechanical and thermal stability of the components.
By intelligently buffering and selectively utilizing self-generated electricity, the energy management system can optimize self-consumption, minimize feed-in to the grid, and thus promote sustainable value creation at the household level. The use of second-life battery cells further contributes to ecological sustainability and makes the system a forward-looking solution in the field of renewable energy.
Research in this area aims to develop efficient, resource-saving, and easily accessible solutions for decentralized energy supply, enabling households not only to produce electricity but also to use it in an optimal way.
