Balcony solar in Vienna: what is allowed and what it yields on your façade
A balcony solar unit is quickly bought. What applies in Vienna is set out by Wiener Netze and the City — and how much it yields depends above all on which way the façade faces and how much sun the neighbours leave.
In short: In Vienna a balcony solar unit may have at most 800 watts of AC output, summed over all devices. It must be registered with Wiener Netze before use and may run two weeks later if nothing is refused; in a rented flat the landlord’s written permission is needed. Mounted vertically on the railing, an 800 W module without shading yields about 660 kWh a year facing south, about 460 facing west or east and 160 facing north — the City offers no funding for it.
What applies in Vienna
- At most 800 watts in total (0.8 kVA AC). Two units of 400 W are allowed, several of 800 W are not; above that an electrician must apply for a grid connection.
- Register with Wiener Netze before use via their online form. Wiener Netze only takes note; if nothing is refused within two weeks of the registration, the unit may run. They check the meter and replace it if needed.
- No household plug: Schuko plugs are prohibited for connecting generation units under ÖVE E 8101. Wiener Netze asks for an electrician to check the installation before connecting.
- Certified device: a conformity certificate (TOR Erzeuger, OVE E 8101 part 7-712) and an automatic grid disconnection, usually in the inverter.
- Rented flat: written permission from the landlord. Condominium: since 1 September 2024 the project counts as approved if it was announced and the other owners have not responded within two months.
- Building permit in protected green areas, areas under building freeze and protection zones (Schutzzonen) — the zoning plan shows whether that applies.
- No feed-in payment and no funding: surplus electricity fed into the grid is not paid; the City funds only fixed systems above 1 kWp with their own metering point.
What it yields by orientation
| Façade faces | Yield | saved at most |
|---|---|---|
| South | 660 kWh | up to 180 € |
| West | 460 kWh | up to 130 € |
| East | 450 kWh | up to 120 € |
| North | 160 kWh | up to 40 € |
“Saved at most” means every kilowatt hour used yourself, at 27.5 cents (what an additional kWh costs in Vienna). What the flat does not need at that moment flows into the grid and is not paid — how large that share is depends on what is running, and no published figure exists for it. The yields assume no shading; neighbouring buildings, the balcony above and the railing take some away.
For a specific address, Azima shows which way the façade faces, how many hours of direct sun it gets over the year and whether the building is in a protection zone.
Frequently asked
Do I have to register a balcony solar unit in Vienna?
Yes. Wiener Netze must be informed before use, via their online form. If nothing is refused within two weeks of the registration, the unit may run.
How many watts are allowed?
At most 0.8 kVA, i.e. 800 watts of AC output in total — two units of 400 W, but never several of 800 W. Above that, an electrician must apply for a grid connection.
Do I need my landlord’s permission?
In a rented flat, yes — in writing, according to the City of Vienna. In a condominium, since 1 September 2024 the project counts as approved if it was announced and the other owners have not responded within two months.
How much does it bring on a north-facing balcony?
Without shading about 160 kWh a year — less than a quarter of a south-facing one (660 kWh). Neighbouring buildings reduce both further; Azima calculates the direct sun on your façade.
Is there funding in Vienna?
No. According to the City, balcony modules cannot receive PV funding; Vienna funds only fixed systems above 1 kWp with their own metering point.
Sources: Wiener Netze, “Balkonkraftwerk” (micro generation units) · City of Vienna, Vienna solar offensive, “Photovoltaik-Balkonmodule in Wien” · European Commission JRC, PVGIS 5.3 (SARAH3, 48.208° N 16.373° E, vertical, 14 % system losses), queried on 23 October 2026. Electricity price as in the solar calculator (Wien Energie, Wiener Netze, October 2026). Not legal or electrical advice.
Solar potential of roofs · Energy costs of a flat · Light and sun