Balcony power plants in allotments: power supply or trouble?

Balcony power plants in allotments: power supply or trouble?

In recent years, interest in environmentally friendly energy solutions has grown, and balcony power plants are very popular. These small solar panels, which are simply plugged into a power outlet, can be a valuable source of clean electricity for home use. But where there is light, there is also shadow, because the use of this technology in allotment gardens remains a hotly debated topic. As the Futurezone reported, the installation of balcony power plants in allotment gardens is currently prohibited in Germany. The reason for this can be found in the Federal Allotment Garden Act of 1983, which is intended to prevent allotment gardens from being used as living space.

The ban states that gazebos must not be suitable for permanent living and a permanent electricity connection is seen as an indication of residential use. Although there are many allotment gardens in Berlin, many associations block the use of balcony power plants for fear of violating the BKleingG. And this despite the fact that, according to the ruling of the Dessau-Roßlau regional court on April 30, 2025, the public interest in climate protection outweighs the concerns of allotment garden associations.

Planned changes to the law

A ray of hope could be on the horizon in the form of a new law. The Federal Council has presented a draft law that is intended to enable the installation of small photovoltaic systems of up to 800 watts in allotment gardens. This was done by the Bundestag announced and aims to make it clear that the operation of such systems has no influence on the assessment of whether it is a residential building or not. This could give allotment tenants more security and reduce the fear of losing protection against dismissal.

However, the restrictions imposed by the BKleingG, in particular Section 3 Paragraph 2, ensure that the use of photovoltaics still remains a legally sensitive matter. The use of solar systems in allotment gardens is becoming the subject of heated discussions. It is important that garden owners deal with both the legal framework and the local development plan.

Extensive regulations and funding opportunities

The installation of a photovoltaic system in an allotment garden is not fundamentally prohibited. However, it is subject to strict legal regulations set out in the BKleingG. The egogo states that smaller, portable systems often do not require a permit and therefore represent a viable way to use solar energy without having to go through various permitting processes.

However, careful planning should be carried out before installation. Consultation with experts and exchange with the allotment garden association are essential to avoid misunderstandings and possible conflicts. There are also numerous funding opportunities at the federal, state and local levels that support the purchase and installation of solar systems.

It will therefore be exciting to see to what extent the legal situation will develop in the coming months in such a way that the use of balcony power plants in allotment gardens actually becomes possible. The technology is there, as is the motivation and the need - now all that is needed is the appropriate legal framework. If half of Berlin's allotment gardens were equipped with just one 800 W module, that could produce an enormous amount of energy of over 30 gigawatt hours per year. A win for the environment and the energy future!