By: Serena She

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has been weaning off its dependence on Russian oil and gas, seeking self-sufficiency through its green energy production. One of the solutions being implemented in Germany is plug-and-play solar panels, which generate a direct current that is switched to an alternating current, required by most household appliances, through an inverter.

When compared with traditional rooftop solar panels, people find that plug-and-play solar panels are much more reasonable. Although Europe does manufacture panels, most of the ones used in Germany are manufactured in China, which produces high-quality yet still affordable products; a typical set could be purchased for between €200 and €400.

Small and lightweight solar panels are also simpler to install. Instead of having to consult professionals, customers can simply hang them on their balconies or place them on any other outdoor surface. “We basically see it as a trend to use all possible artificial infrastructure for solar generation,” policy advisor at SolarPower Europe Jan Osenberg told EuroNews.

While plug-and-play solar panels are far more costly and troublesome in the United States due to bureaucratic permits and regulations, Germany is encouraging its citizens to use them. The government used to reward users with feed-in tariffs and payments, but the growing customer base is causing the rewards to be less reasonable. However, Germany is relaxing requirements and rules regarding registration and installation. Laws are also preventing landlords from restricting their tenants from installing solar panels.

As plug-in solar finds its way into many German homes, countries including Austria, France, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain are also showing growing interest.

Image Credit by Kindel Media