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Enel Sun Plug&Play: the balcony photovoltaic kit

Balcony photovoltaic: the simple solution to save on your bill even in an apartment

Photovoltaic is rapidly becoming a must-have, a trend driven by the increased time spent at home, the wider use of devices such as smart home automation, the replacement of gas systems with electric systems, the reduction of office activities in favor of remote working, and the growing spread of charging stations for electric vehicles in garages and private residential parking areas.

 

However, this does not always automatically translate into a solution within everyone’s reach. It is not just an economic issue: often the main problem is the impossibility of installing a photovoltaic system on the roof due to lack of space or because the home is located within a condominium, with all the related procedures and authorizations required.

 

There is, however, another solution. A convenient alternative that allows you to reduce your consumption, focusing on Energy sustainability and lowering your bill costs.

The balcony photovoltaic kit

It is a small-sized photovoltaic panel, easy to handle, which can be installed quickly and easily on the balcony of any apartment. The system consists of a panel that produces direct current, which is then converted into alternating current via an inverter that feeds the Energy produced directly into the grid. 

The impact on the bill depends on the efficiency and characteristics of the product, but there are some precautions that can significantly increase its performance:

  • install the panel on a south-facing balcony;
  • use the most energy-intensive appliances during the day rather than in the evening. This is because, if no storage battery is available, the Energy must be consumed at the moment it is fed into the grid. 

In addition, unless there are landscape or architectural constraints, no permits are required to install the balcony photovoltaic panel and start saving immediately, reducing bill costs and optimizing household consumption. 

The required steps are: 

  • prior notice to the condominium regarding the installation of a photovoltaic system intended for your apartment pursuant to art. 1122 bis of the Italian Civil Code.
  • submission to your local electricity distributor of the Single Communication (attached to ARERA Resolution no. 315/2020/R/eel).

To benefit from the tax deduction, it is also necessary to send a communication to ENEA.

Easy to install

The system installation is simple and quick. To connect it to your electrical network, you only need a power plug with a dedicated socket.

Manage your consumption

Thanks to the higher efficiency of systems and the reduction of production costs, you have an excellent solution to reduce Energy costs.

Save on your bill

A convenient alternative that allows you to reduce your consumption, focusing on Energy sustainability and lowering your bill costs.

Enel Sun Plug & Play for your apartment

Enel Sun Plug & Play is the balcony photovoltaic panel with railing by Enel Energia rated at 0.37 kWp, guaranteed for 10 years. It is a convenient and innovative solution that provides the possibility to deduct – subject to the requirements set by regulation – 50% of the cost from personal income tax (IRPEF) in ten annual installments.

The installation of the system is simple and quick. To connect it to the grid, a power plug with a dedicated socket is sufficient. 

The Enel Sun Plug & Play system includes:

  • A photovoltaic module with a power of 370 Wp.
  • Zucchetti micro inverter with integrated monitoring system. 
  • Support structure supplied by Enel Energia equipped with a railing bracket. 

The railing thickness must be between 30 mm and 150 mm. If it is greater, it is necessary to request the self-supporting railing kit for safe installation.

Why it’s worth it

Photovoltaic, until a few years ago almost exclusively used on the roofs of single homes, thanks to increased system efficiency and reduced production costs is becoming increasingly convenient and an excellent solution to reduce Energy costs for apartments and condominiums. It can also be considered as a solution for second homes where consumption is higher during specific periods of the year, such as holidays or summer.

What are you waiting for? To get more information from one of our specialists about the possibility of installing a balcony photovoltaic kit in your apartment, request a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

After completing the installation of the balcony photovoltaic system, what should I do?

The dimensions of photovoltaic panels can vary. On average, a balcony/wall module has a width of 1.7 meters and a length of 1 meter. Of course, it is possible to install more than just one panel, since the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA) provides a simplified procedure for photovoltaic systems with a nominal power of less than 800Wp.

 

In particular, for powers up to 350Wp (equivalent to a single balcony photovoltaic panel) you will only need to send the "Single Communication" to the network operator. The competent distributor, if necessary*, will reprogram the meter within 5 days.

 

For powers between 350 and 800Wp, you will also need to send the following to the network operator:

  • the single-line electrical diagram (the document that technically describes the installed system) drawn up by a qualified technician;
  • the declaration of conformity of the production plant to the rules of art pursuant to current legislation;
  • the declaration of conformity of any installed static conversion and interface devices;
  • the operating regulation signed by the producer.

Above 800Wp of power, the installation will not be able to follow the simplified procedure.


*_Article 13ter.2 of the Consolidated Text of Active Connections (TICA) provides that: “The distribution company, within 5 (five) working days of receiving the Single Communication: a) only in cases where the production plant with a power of less than 800 W is connected through a connection point equipped with a meter that, following a reprogramming intervention, can be enabled to detect both the electricity fed into and the electricity drawn, carries out the reprogramming of the bidirectional meter in order to activate the detection of the electricity fed into the grid by the production plant with a power of less than 800 W; (…)”

Is it possible to install balcony photovoltaics without a meter?

No, photovoltaic systems are programmed to operate only in the presence of a meter. As required by the CEI 0-21 regulation that governs photovoltaics in Italy, if there is no electricity in the home, the inverter that converts direct current to alternating current cannot activate, the system shuts down, and the panels cannot be used.

Can it be installed in a second home that is only used a few months a year?

Yes. Remember, however, that in order to function, photovoltaic systems require that electricity be active. If the meter is disconnected, the panels will not be able to produce energy.

If I install a photovoltaic panel, is it possible to disconnect from the electricity grid?

The photovoltaic system allows you to achieve greater energy autonomy and increase the available power of the house. Although a photovoltaic system with island operation, i.e., capable of operating without the support of external energy sources, is technically feasible, it is always advisable to maintain the connection with the electricity grid, when present.

Who disposes of photovoltaic panels at the end of their useful life?

Depleted photovoltaic panels are classified as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and must be disposed of according to the procedure provided by the GSE (Gestore dei Servizi Energetici - Energy Services Manager). Learn more in our article on photovoltaic panel disposal.