Balcony PV systems, an ecological nonsense
A real balcony PV hype has broken out.... first in Germany (prices there under 1,000 EUR), now also in Switzerland. Everyone believes they can contribute to the electricity shortage and the press doubles down: "if everyone would operate a balcony PV, that would be a considerable amount of electricity production". I did the maths: 11 million balcony PVs would replace an average nuclear power plant if the sun was shining. Sounds good......??? I am a big supporter of alternative energies and therefore invested in a PV system seven years ago. With a limited area and only 18 modules with the then maximum power per panel (345 watts), I theoretically produce 6.2 KWh with my optimal roof orientation, capped at 6 KWh due to the inverter. That is 10 times more than a balcony PV, whereby a balcony mounting is anything but optimal (angle to the sun's rays). I produce an average of 7,150 KW per year, so a balcony PV would produce a maximum of 715 KW, in fact probably less than 600 KW due to the vertical mounting. At an electricity price of 32 centimes high tariff, you save 192 francs per year - after more than 8 years, the investment of a balcony PV is amortised. Well, for many people it's not about money, but about the environment. Wouldn't it be much wiser for micro electricity producers to pay a surcharge in solar electricity so that "the big ones" with a high efficiency in production are promoted? Unfortunately, nobody can see that from the street. Here I recommend a large poster instead of a balcony panel with the inscription: "This household does not produce electricity, but subsidises solar electricity"!
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