Greece enables balcony solar power up to 800 watts
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Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy implemented a new policy allowing residents to install plug-in solar systems up to 800 watts on balconies and other exterior spaces.
The new framework, which took effect immediately, simplifies the process for individuals and communities to generate their own electricity.
These balcony systems and standalone batteries are intended for self-consumption only and cannot send electricity back to the national grid, but can be used with dynamic tariffs to reduce energy costs by storing power when prices are low. The ministry will require smart meters for these plug-in systems so grid operators can monitor them, and will publish safety requirements by October 31, 2026.
While the policy promotes wider adoption, grid operators can restrict installations in areas where the grid cannot handle additional power. The framework also overhauls Greece’s broader self-consumption market. The ministry will create an electronic registry of self-consumers and is allocating €476 million ($549.5 million) through the Islands Decarbonization Fund to support projects, especially on islands.
Local authorities and public entities can now use net-billing and virtual net-billing schemes to receive credits for the electricity their solar systems generate, and group self-consumption projects can expand to include entire residential complexes. The Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies praised the new rules, noting they address issues that previously hindered market growth.
