Will Balcony Solar Enable A Plug-and-Play Clean Energy Revolution In India?

India's urban expansion has finally shifted from horizontal sprawl to vertical growth, driven by high population density and limited land. Aphenomenon still limited to its bigger cities, it is bound to spread out further with improving access to dependable power and continued pressure on land. While this may translate to efficient land use, a downside has been the restrictions the apartment dwellers face from shifting to solar energy using the rooftop solar model. Other options like community solar or even Virtual Power Plants, tputed as solutions for those withot their own rooftop, have struggled to make serious headway.  Enter Balcony solar. Driven by falling costs and modular construction, Balcony solar has been a surprise gainer in Europe already, with over a million homes in Germany using it. The ease of availability, installation and immediate start to savings could make it an option in India for many apartment owners as well, very soon.   

In this blog, we explore the prospects of balcony solar in Indian context. 

What is Balcony Solar?

A balcony solar is a compact solar energy setup designed for apartment dwellers or urban homes with limited space. It allows users to generate their own electricity by mounting solar panels on balconies, railings, or walls. 

The main thing that differentiates solar balconies from rooftop solar is that they’re a much smaller system. Essentially, the setup consists of one or two panels plugged into an electricity socket. They provide a practical and efficient solution for those without access to rooftops, enabling them to reduce their carbon footprint and save on electricity bills.

Now Becoming More Accessible

Despite its low solar generation capability compared to a rooftop solar system, the potential the balcony setting holds on a larger scale is making it more popular among renewable enthusiasts worldwide, especially the apartment dwellers. Various solar providers are now pushing up balcony solar, especially in Europe.

IKEA's entry into balcony solar kits is one fine example of such ventures in the sector. The Swedish furniture giant now sells plug-and-play solar systems starting at just EUR 449 (INR 40,859) in Germany. 

The Plug-and-Play Revolution

The most critical breakthrough in balcony solar technology is its aforementioned plug-and-play functionality that completely bypasses traditional installation barriers. 

These systems work by connecting solar panels directly to a standard electrical socket through a microinverter, which converts DC electricity to AC power that feeds directly into your home's electrical system. This simple connection eliminates the need for electricians, permits, lengthy approvals, or chasing vendors for installations. 

IKEA is among the early comers in the technology. Their product lineup also come with integrated battery storage settings. These includes: EUR 449 for two 450W panels with microinverter (basic plug-and-play), EUR 1,229 for 900W system plus 1.92kWh battery storage, EUR 1,945 for four panels with battery storage, and up to EUR 2,761 for the most comprehensive system.

Waaree USA professes a 150x70cm sized 160 watts solar panels to be ideal which would weigh around 12.5kg. A balcony 360W system has a 25-year monetary repayment period and a typical setup costs roughly USD 2000. Those costs are probably too high for India yet, but value engineering and niche uses for starters could make it possible very soon. 

The time it takes to recoup the initial investment varies. In Spain, for example, the cost of a balcony solar system ranges between EUR 400 (INR 36,300)  and EUR 800 (INR 72,600), with potential payback periods of around six years. Stakeholders say that installing a couple of 300-watt panels will give a saving of up to 30 percent on a typical household’s electricity bill. 

The significance extends beyond pricing. IKEA's entry legitimized balcony solar as a mainstream consumer product rather than a niche technology solution. Markets are adopting these solutions at pace.

Balcony Solar: The Indian Setting

Considering the rapid urbanisation that the country is witnessing, coupled with the urge to swiftly shift to renewable power, Balcony Solar has immense potential for India. While the output of small installations on balconies may not generate enough renewable energy to power the whole household requirement, it considerably brings down the overall energy consumption bill depending on the area and sunlight hours.  Importantly, if you are a tenant, you may not need to take permission from the landlord to install one, as it is essentually a plug a play model.   

Realising its potential contribution to India’s clean energy ambitions, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) revised its PM Surya Ghar scheme guidelines to include balcony solar and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) under the scheme. As per the scheme, subscribers are eligible for central financial assistance (CFA) of up to INR 78,000 for up to 3 kW systems.

Indian Market Gearing Up

“One can install solar panels on the balcony by themselves. It does not necessitate the assistance of solar firm installation,” says Waaree, a major Indian solar solutions provider. Supporting the cause of balcony solar, Waaree also notes that they are portable and can be reinstalled without hassle. “Because you do not connect it to the apartments behind-the-meter electricity network, this solution is straightforward,” the firm notes.

According to RenewSys, a 1 kW system with 500 Wp TOPCon panels would require two panels, each needing about 2 square meters of space for mounting on a balcony fence.

Generally speaking, in cities like Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru, where average sunlight is 5-6 hours/day, a 300W to 600W setup can give you about 1 kWh, or even up to 2.5 kWh of electricity per day when used with a battery setup, Hyderabad-based Green Fortune notes. 

This much power is enough to run several appliances and devices like laptop for 8–10 hours, or TV for 3-4 hours. Green Fortune adds that, in 2025, a plug and play kit would cost around INR 25,000 in India. With battery, the cost increased up to INR 45,000. If you’re paying about INR 6-8/unit of electricity, this can save you anywhere between INR 400 and INR 700/month. While the payback is still over 5 years by most estimates, a push below that benchmark could be a game changer. And woth power proces set to rise in many states, it could happen sooner than many think. 

Noticing the market opportunity, various firms are making a move, offering plug-and-play kits for balconies in India. Some of these include Loom Solar Balcony Kits, Tata Solar Micro Setups, Livguard Portable Panels, and DIY Kit via Amazon or SolarClue.

Is it Worth Installing Balcony Solar in India?

The question now stands: is it worth installing balcony solar in India?

While the answer would be yes, some underlying issues need addressing first. Firstly, the sector is still new and would take a while to gain traction, like rooftop solar systems, in India. Adequate sunlight, say at least 3-4 hours in a day, is important factor to be considered for the starters. Sometimes, producing only 10 percent of the energy of residential rooftop systems, the prospects of these systems are questioned as they are only able to reach a partial residential requirement.

In India, balcony solar faces different challenges, primarily centered around pricing and regulatory clarity. Current Indian solar installation costs range from INR 55,000 - INR 75,000 per kW for complete systems. However, these prices are for larger rooftop installations with full electrical work and grid connections. In case of plug and play balcony solar options, cost need to fall lower.