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How Germany outfitted half a million balconies with solar panels

Summary

Germany has equipped over 550,000 apartments with balcony solar systems, known as “balkonkraftwerk”, providing renters an accessible way to generate renewable energy. The simple, plug-in solar panels are affordable (around $550) and can cover up to 50% of a household’s energy needs on sunny days. This rapid adoption is driven by government subsidies, simplified regulations, and surging energy costs following the war in Ukraine. While the panels only contribute modest energy savings and meet around 1% of Germany's energy needs, they offer tenants a hands-on way to combat climate change and reduce energy bills.

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