Berlin/Munich, May 15, 2025 – As part of the Smart-E Expo in Munich, the first international conference on plug-in solar devices – the PLUG-IN SOLAR CONFERENCE – took place on May 8. Over 60 guests from 14 countries – from Brazil and Vietnam to the USA, Israel, and many European nations – came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of plug-in solar technology.
Plug-in solar devices, also known as balcony solar systems, are small, plug-in photovoltaic systems that can be installed and operated by non-professionals. They partially supply households with their own affordable solar power. With nearly four million devices in operation, Germany is a frontrunner in adopting this technology. However, other countries are quickly catching up. Austria, Lithuania, Belgium, and others have already legalized plug-in solar devices, and tens of thousands are in use in France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The inaugural PLUG-IN SOLAR CONFERENCE provided a platform for stakeholders in this emerging international market to exchange insights on regulatory differences and commonalities, market strategies, safety, value creation, and new fields of application.
In their keynotes, Sven Giegold, former Undersecretary of the Department of Economy and Cliamte Action and current Deputy Federal Chair of Bündnis 90 / The Greens, and Michael Bloss, Member of the European Parliament, emphasized that citizen participation is a key factor in the success of the energy transition. Plug-in solar systems are a vital gateway to this participation.
Other speakers explained and discussed current regulations in Germany and abroad. Special recognition was given to Dr. Raymond Ward, a member of the House of Representatives in the U.S. state of Utah, who succeeded in passing the first statewide plug-in solar legislation in the U.S. this year. In addition, the event featured discussions on technical and regulatory advancements in power output and battery integration. The transition toward smart battery control – based on household consumption, flexible electricity tariffs, and potentially variable grid charges – to relieve and stabilize local power grids, became clearly visible. Innovative industry partners such as GismoPower and EcoFlow presented their latest product developments.
The organizers from the German Plug-In Solar Association (BVSS) gave a positive summary. “Our goal is a sustainable, decentralized energy transition in citizens’ hands with local value creation,” said BVSS chairman Christian Ofenheusle. “With this conference, we have taken a significant step toward achieving that goal – also on a global level.”
Participants signed a joint declaration highlighting the importance of citizen participation and decentralized energy systems. They called on legislators around the world to quickly eliminate barriers to plug-in solar and battery technologies and to create incentives that promote their widespread adoption.
The full conference report, including the joint declaration and additional press photos, can be downloaded here: >DOWNLOAD<
For the German Plug-In Solar Association (BVSS), which was only founded in October 2024, this was the first major event. However, its members have long been active in promoting plug-in solar technology and were instrumental in the successful 2023 Balcony Solar Petition, which helped trigger Germany’s plug-in solar boom. Those interested in supporting the association’s work can become a supporting member at bundesverband-steckersolar.de.
