Do you have a garden with lots of space? Then a PV system will fit in. Whether lawn, garden house, terrace, or garden fence – there is also the right offer for your Garden.
Here you can find out which types of solar garden systems are available, which options you have, where the advantages and disadvantages lie, and to what extent the whole thing is financially worthwhile. We also present the currently best Garden PV systems.
Why set up a solar system in the Garden?
Photovoltaic systems use natural solar radiation to generate electricity from light energy. This can be used directly in the house or the Garden.
What are the energy guzzlers in the Garden? Some of you are now asking. A whole lot. These include, among others:
- Security technology (alarm systems and motion detectors)
- Lighting
- Various electrical devices
Attention: One of the biggest misconceptions is that solar garden systems can only supply garden tools with electricity. Even if the mini PV systems are in the Garden, they are connected to the same power grid as the household appliances. So you can also use your solar power in the kitchen or washing.
The various garden tools that can be supplied directly include, for example, lawnmowers, electric grills, pond pumps, hot water pools or saunas, minibars, heaters, radios, or the old television in the cozy garden shed. In addition, wall boxes for electric cars, machines, and other tools require electricity.
All these devices require energy, which you probably still come from the household socket. Several large consumers are also in the house (television, oven, washing machine, etc.).
Before we explain the advantages and disadvantages to you and show you what exactly you need to look out for:
From our point of view, these are the currently best garden solar systems in a quick overview. Our criteria were: value for money, component quality, and service.
How big can a solar system be in the Garden?
There is no rule on the maximum size of a solar system in the Garden. Only the inverter should not exceed the 600-watt limit. Otherwise, you will need to obtain a specific permit. Most private individuals get a mini solar system, a balcony power plant, or a plug-in solar system for their Garden.
These are significantly smaller than conventional PV systems, which can be installed on garden sheds or carports if required. The important difference, however, is the price and the amount of electricity produced.
In connection with solar power storage, traditional PV systems have a degree of self-sufficiency of up to 70%. However, solar systems for the Garden are much smaller in comparison, and usually, no electricity storage is used. So the main goal is not complete self-sufficiency but rather savings in electricity costs and a contribution to climate protection.
Nevertheless: In many cases, you can cover 10-20% of your electricity consumption with a solar garden system.
Most garden solar systems have two modules, an inverter, and a lithium leisure battery storage system. The electricity is then fed directly into the home network.
Tip: In general, of course, a large system is desirable. In reality, however, there are numerous limitations. To determine the optimal system size for your situation, you must check how much shade-free area is available and whether easy registration and use are important to you.
A simplified registration is no longer possible for PV systems with an output of more than 600 watts. Like large systems, the grid operator must register and check the mini PV system. It may also be necessary to replace the electricity meter and fuses.
In addition, the system must be connected by an electrician registered with the network operator.
PV System in the Garden – advantages and Disadvantages
In the past, private solar systems were primarily installed on house roofs. But in the meantime, it has been found that installation in the Garden, on the carport, or in the garden shed can also make sense.
On the one hand, house roofs do not always have the right orientation. Often chimneys, skylights, water drains, lightning rods, TV antennas, or angled corners significantly limit the available space. Less area also means fewer DIY solar panels that can ultimately be laid. At the same time, the obstacles just mentioned often cast shadows on the solar cells, which reduces productivity.
With a carport, a garden shed, or even a lawn, you often don’t have these problems. Instead, you must look here to see if trees or bushes cast shadows. But these can also be implemented. That wouldn’t work with a chimney.
Caution: Remember that shadows move with the sun. Just because the desired area is shadow-free in the morning, it can look different again in the afternoon.
Before buying your solar system, check whether there is already a power connection at your desired location. This is not always the case, especially with garden houses that are more remote. Then the installation of the PV system can even be cheaper than laying the power connection.
With large PV systems, the most common barrier is the high purchase price. This was an exclusion criterion for many private consumers for a long time. Mini solar systems, on the other hand, are significantly cheaper. They are usually priced at under 1,000 euros. On the other hand, they cannot benefit from the feed-in tariff, produce less electricity, and are more intended for immediate consumption.
A big plus: high-quality garden solar systems hardly need any maintenance. The modules are designed to be so robust that you have next to no effort to ensure proper operation. Nevertheless, the modules must be checked after a strong storm, large hailstones, or many bird droppings. Heavy dirt should be removed so that the solar system can achieve its full performance.
In contrast to a large on-roof system, a garden system’s inspection, and cleaning are quick. Climbing onto the roof of a house turns out to be rather cumbersome and dangerous in most cases. A specialist company often has to do this for you for insurance and guarantee reasons.
Higher degrees of self-sufficiency through electricity storage?
Each of you may have different reasons for wanting to buy a solar system for the Garden. But at a certain point, everyone faces the same question: self-sufficiency.
You need a power storage unit if you really want to supply your Garden and household with electricity independently. The same goes for those who simply want to maximize their solar yield.
Two important points must be observed, especially for garden solar systems:
Small PV systems with an output of up to 600 Wp benefit from simplified registration and simple installation. However, there is no feed-in tariff for this either. The electricity must therefore be used directly by the user. Otherwise, it simply flows into the power grid without being paid for.
With these small systems in particular, one might think that maximizing self-consumption would be particularly worthwhile. However, since electricity storage is very expensive, the additional electricity yield would have no connection to the costs.
Solar power storage is worthwhile for those who are purely interested in increasing the degree of self-sufficiency. For most mini PV systems, however, it makes no sense for cost reasons.
How much does a solar system for the garden cost?
This question can not be answered on a general basis. The size of your optimal PV system varies depending on how much electricity you consume, how much space you have available, and how independent you want to be.
How much are solar panels? In most cases, the costs are somewhere between 300 and 1,500 euros. However, if you really want to install a large, powerful system (in the garage or carport), then the costs can be as little as €5,000 – €10,000 or more.
Example 1: Garden house supply
If you are only interested in providing enough electricity for a simple garden house, a small PV system with a nominal output of 75 watts will suffice. You can then use it to illuminate the garden shed if required and run a radio while you are gardening. PV modules of this size cost around €100 to €150.
Example 2: Supply of garden house, small pool, and lighting systems
In this case, you need a more powerful variant. It is best to take a 600-watt inverter and two solar modules, each with around 400 Wp. The price for the complete package is around €700 to €1,000.
Example 3: Larger power requirement
Do you have enough space in your Garden and want to minimize your electricity costs as much as possible? If you do not want a conventional PV roof system, you also have the option of installing several individual PV modules. With four 400 Wp modules, you also get a nominal output of 1,600 Wp which can significantly reduce your electricity bill.