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Germany passed a new law allowing renters to install plug-in solar panels on their balconies. The new law significantly limits the ability of landlords and homeowners associations to prevent such installations. Only in cases where there is a compelling reason can these entities intervene.
Renters in Germany can now install solar energy systems with a capacity of up to 2,000 watts. That amount of electricity is sufficient to power common household items such as light bulbs, cellphone chargers, toasters, coffee makers and even medium-sized refrigerators. The cost of installing these solar devices typically ranges between around $500 to $1,600.
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Historically, Germany relied heavily on Russian gas for its energy, with imports from Russia constituting 55% of the nation’s gas supply. However, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent trade sanctions, Germany increasingly turned to solar energy to meet its needs. Solar farms have been particularly successful, at times generating more than 60% of the country’s electricity this year.
By enabling renters to install solar panels, the new law extends access to solar technology to a significant portion of the population. With over half of Germany’s residents living in rented accommodations, this policy could have a sizable impact on the adoption of solar energy across the country.
[JACK AYLMER]
YOU DON’T HAVE TO OWN IT, TO POWER IT.
A NEW LAW ON THE BOOKS IN GERMANY IS GIVING RENTERS THE ABILITY TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS ON THEIR BALCONIES.
LANDLORDS AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS WILL HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE TO STOP THEM UNLESS THERE IS A VERY GOOD REASON.
THIS LAW APPLIES TO PLUG-IN SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS WITH A CAPACITY UP TO 2,000 WATTS.
THAT KIND OF POWER IS SUFFICIENT FOR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS SUCH AS LIGHT BULBS, CELLPHONE CHARGERS, TOASTERS, COFFEE MAKERS, AND EVEN MEDIUM-SIZE REFRIGERATORS.
INSTALLATION COSTS TYPICALLY RANGE BETWEEN ABOUT FIVE HUNDRED TO SIXTEEN-HUNDRED DOLLARS.
IN THE PAST, GERMANY DERIVED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ITS POWER FROM RUSSIAN GAS-
WITH IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA MAKING UP OVER HALF OF THE NATION’S SUPPLY.
BUT WITH THE TRADE SANCTIONS THAT FOLLOWED MOSCOW’S DECISION TO INVADE UKRAINE IN 20-22, GERMANY HAS INCREASINGLY TURNED TO SOLAR TO MEET ITS ENERGY NEEDS.
SOLAR FARMS AT TIMES PRODUCED OVER 60 PERCENT OF GERMANY’S ELECTRICITY THIS YEAR.
THIS NEW LAW FROM BERLIN WILL NOW BRING ACCESS TO SOLAR TECH TO A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE COUNTRY’S RESIDENTS.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE GERMAN POPULATION CURRENTLY LIVES IN RENTED ACCOMMODATIONS-
A GOOD PORTION OF WHICH NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS TO HELP POWER THEIR UNITS.
THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION IS HAPPENING ALL AROUND THE GLOBE.
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