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Solar system invasion: Small-scale gardeners in various areas of Saxony face potential eviction due to solar plant installations on their lawns.

Small gardeners in Saxony push for approval to set up balcony power stations on their backyard sheds. Current regulations often restrict this, but a potential ease in rules might be on the horizon by year's end.

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Small garden owners in Saxony are eager to set up rooftop solar systems on their garden plots....
Small garden owners in Saxony are eager to set up rooftop solar systems on their garden plots. Currently, this is frequently forbidden, but it may become less restrictive by the end of the year.

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The Solar Revolution: Balcony Power Plants and Small Gardeners

Solar system invasion: Small-scale gardeners in various areas of Saxony face potential eviction due to solar plant installations on their lawns.

June 15, 2025, 2:42 PM

Solar power revolution is picking up pace, and balcony power plants are becoming increasingly popular among small gardeners. It's no surprise that many small garden enthusiasts are keen to set up solar modules on their shed roofs. However, this is contravened in many areas across Saxony. The Saxony Small Gardeners Association aims to adapt the overly restrictive building regulations to accommodate eco-friendly power sources by November.

  • Saxony Small Gardeners Association currently regulates solar installations in small gardens, and the Association asserts that old electrical installations are obsolete for contemporary solar installations.
  • An ongoing effort involves energy experts and lawyers collaborating to develop a new building regulation focusing on solutions rather than prohibitions.

Small garden settlements in Dresden's Hellersiedlung, the largest eastern German garden complex with over 900 plots, barely boast any solar panels on their roofs. This is due to the repeated rejection of applications for balcony power plants. Despite this, association chairman Ramon Himburg reports a significant demand for these energy-saving systems, with at least 20-30% of gardeners eager to take advantage.

Balcony power plants: A video exploration of Saxony's adaptation

View the video: Balcony power plants: Small garden building regulations to be adapted

Inner workings of the video

Link: MIDDLE GERMAN BROADCASTING

Although small gardeners are eager to move towards sustainable energy solutions, they face significant restrictions in many places, with the Saxony Small Gardeners Association acknowledging this trend and striving to update their building regulations by the end of the year.

The Association of Small Gardeners regulates solar installations

Unlike independent garden settlements, the Association of Small Gardeners regulates solar installations. The modules cannot exceed four square meters, and grid feeding is usually prohibited. Even mounting on a shed roof is criticized.

Public sympathy is low, especially since balcony power plants can be installed in residential areas without restrictions or permits.

In the case of violations, expulsion from the association could be imposed. "Public sympathy is low, especially since balcony power plants can be installed in residential areas without restrictions or permits. The leaseholders would prefer the building regulations of the city association to be revised," according to Himburg.

Progress and Debate: Audio insights

Listen to the audio: Do small gardeners have the right to a solar installation?

Audio details

Link: MIDDLE GERMAN BROADCASTING^{1}

Download options:

  • MP3 - 3MB - 128 kbit/s
  • MP4 - 4.6MB - AAC - 187.5 kbit/s

The adamant stance of the association against small gardeners installing balcony power plants is met with arguments that these installations can serve as off-grid alternatives while still maintaining the gardens' aesthetic appeal. However, the fear that small gardeners may abandon maintaining these off-grid systems arises, rendering them unfinancially viable.

Growing Interest in Solar Power: A Television Show

Watch the television show: When the housing cooperative offers the balcony power plant

It is worth noting that small gardeners, on average, spend around 30 euros per year on electricity. Therefore, it may take some time for the initial investment in solar power to become a cost-effective decision.

Footnotes:

[1] MIDDLE GERMAN BROADCASTING[2] SMALL GARDEN REGION SHEFFIELD, RESOLUTION ON CITIES AND REGIONS FOR 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2050[3] SPURKAPOTEAZER, FEDERAL MINISTRY FOR ENVIRONMENT, NATURE CONSERVATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY OF GERMANY

  1. The solar power revolution is gaining momentum, and balcony power plants are becoming popular among small gardeners.
  2. However, in many parts of Saxony, the Saxony Small Gardeners Association currently regulates solar installations.
  3. Energy experts and lawyers are collaborating to develop a new building regulation focused on solutions for solar installations, aiming to be adapted by November.
  4. Many small garden settlements in Dresden's Hellersiedlung have minimal solar panel installations due to the repeated rejection of applications.
  5. Association chairman Ramon Himburg reports that at least 20-30% of gardeners are eager to use energy-saving systems, such as balcony power plants.
  6. Despite the demand, violations of the association's building regulations could lead to expulsion from the association.
  7. Public sympathy is low due to the freedom to install balcony power plants in residential areas without restrictions or permits.
  8. Fear that small gardeners may abandon maintaining off-grid systems makes the panel installations financially unviable.
  9. Balcony power plants can serve as off-grid alternatives while maintaining the gardens’ aesthetic appeal in the ongoing debate.
  10. Small gardeners, who typically spend around 30 euros per year on electricity, may find the initial investment in solar power to become cost-effective over time.

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