Protecting Balcony Greenery: A Guide to Insuring Your Solar-Friendly Plants

Balcony power stations, such as the Solakon® 1000W, SUNNIVA® 850W, and Solarway® 880W, are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners seek to harness renewable energy. But what about insurance? Here's a breakdown of the coverage options available for these devices.

Firstly, it's important to note that in most cases, a separate insurance for a balcony power station is not necessary. Home contents insurance can provide adequate coverage for your device. However, it's crucial to report the balcony power station to your insurer for inclusion in your policy, ideally with written confirmation.

Home contents insurance protects your solar system from damages caused by storm, hail, fire, or overvoltage due to lightning strike. This means that in case of a claim, repair or replacement costs can be covered, provided the system is reported to the insurer.

Building insurance often applies to mini solar systems permanently connected to a building or roof, but coverage depends on the specifically insured risks in the policy. For plug-in solar devices, they can often be integrated into existing home contents insurance, liability insurance, or building insurance.

Liability insurance is another essential aspect to consider. It covers damage caused by a balcony power station to third parties, such as damage to foreign property, personal injury, and financial loss. This means that if your solar modules cause damage to a neighbour's property or injure someone, your liability insurance should cover the costs.

The balcony power station should also be included in private liability insurance. This is to ensure that you are adequately covered in case of any accidents or damages caused by the system.

In Germany, danger bearer insurance (Gefahrträgerversicherung) for Balcony Power Stations is generally not offered separately. However, such systems are covered under standard household insurance (Hausratversicherung) policies. Owners should notify their insurer about the possession of a Balcony Power Station and request its inclusion in the policy to ensure sufficient coverage for damage caused by storm, hail, fire, or overvoltage. Additionally, informing the liability insurance about the system is recommended to cover damages to third parties potentially caused by the balcony solar modules.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the purchase price of a large photovoltaic system is not discussed in this article. However, with prices often exceeding 1,000 euros, insurance protection is necessary to cover repair or replacement costs in case of damages from storm, hail, or fire.

For more advice on photovoltaics, the Consumer Advice Center is a valuable resource. And remember, keeping the confirmation of reporting the balcony power station to the insurer is important for future reference.

As with any insurance-related matter, it's always best to consult with your insurer to understand the specifics of your policy and any potential additional coverage options.