Germany Drafts New Product Standard for Plug-In Solar Devices Amid IEC Conflict
Key Insights
Germany's DKE has published a draft product standard (DIN VDE V 0126-95) for plug-in solar devices, focusing on grid-connected operation and safety requirements.
The final standard, expected in Q3 2025, will guide manufacturers and testing facilities, but conflicts with an ongoing IEC project on installation regulations.
The IEC draft prohibits connecting power generation units to final circuits via plug-in devices, raising safety concerns and industry criticism.
Industry leaders, like Zendure, argue the IEC changes could hinder the energy transition by increasing costs and limiting accessibility.
The German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE) has unveiled the draft product standard DIN VDE V 0126-95, targeting plug-in solar devices for grid-connected operation. The standard, set for final publication in the third quarter of 2025, outlines technical requirements for manufacturers and safety protocols for testing facilities. However, the DKE has flagged a potential conflict with an ongoing international standardization project by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), which could impose contradictory installation rules.
The IEC draft, under project IEC 60364-7-751, proposes prohibiting the connection of power generation units to final circuits via conventional plug-in devices, citing safety risks like overloading and inadequate shock protection. This contradicts Germany’s approach, where plug-in solar devices have gained traction as a simple, cost-effective solution for residential energy generation. The DKE has criticized the IEC’s stance, emphasizing that while IEC standards are influential, they are not binding in Germany without national adoption.
Industry backlash has been swift. Bryan Liu, CEO of Zendure, a key player in the balcony solar market, condemned the IEC draft, warning it would complicate installations and raise costs, disproportionately affecting tenants and low-income households. "Requiring professional installation would undermine the democratization of solar energy," Liu stated. The DKE has pledged to advocate for revisions, but the outcome remains uncertain.
The clash highlights broader tensions between global standardization and local energy transition goals. Germany’s plug-in solar market, buoyed by initiatives like Ikea’s affordable balcony kits, faces disruption if the IEC rules prevail. Analysts suggest the DKE’s resistance could set a precedent for other nations balancing innovation with safety in decentralized energy systems.