Author: Rūta TRAINYTĖ, Vartotojų aljansas (Lithuanian Consumers Alliance)

An increasing number of apartment residents and homeowners in Lithuania are adopting plug-in solar power (photovoltaic, PV) systems. These systems can be easily attached to balconies and removed without requiring any permits or approvals. Solar PV systems with a capacity of 0.8 kW are becoming more common on apartment balconies, allowing both owners and tenants to generate clean energy and lower their electricity costs.

According to Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius (ESO), Lithuania’s energy distribution network operator, around 340 small solar power systems of up to 0.8 kW were registered last autumn. Experts estimate that nearly 600,000 households in Lithuania could benefit from installing these systems.

Easier Installation Process

Solar installers are noticing a growing interest in small solar power plants. With the installation process simplified last autumn, even more people are expected to install these systems this year. Now, approval is only required for houses with cultural heritage or special status, and residents no longer need permission from their neighbors.

As a result, apartment dwellers can now install small solar power systems more quickly and easily, without dealing with complex bureaucracy. This has further encouraged the shift towards solar energy and increased the use of renewable power sources.

In 2023, around 10 consumers per month applied to ESO to notify them about the installation of a small solar power system. By the end of 2024, this number had grown to 40 notifications per month. The main advantage of these small systems is their flexibility—they can be mounted on a balcony, rooftop, or placed in a yard. The system connects directly to a power socket, allowing users to start using the electricity generated by the sun immediately after plugging the PV system into the socket.

Financial Support Available

The Lithuanian Government, through the Environmental Project Management Agency, offers financial assistance for installing small solar power systems on balconies. This support covers the cost of purchasing and installing the system but does not currently include energy storage solutions such as batteries. Nonetheless, this financial aid reduces installation costs and motivates more people to become energy independent—a goal that is becoming increasingly important both on a personal and national level.

At present, a 0.8 kW solar power system in Lithuania costs around €500, with state compensation covering approximately €200. Annual electricity savings of between €100 and €140 are possible, meaning the system typically pays for itself within two to three years.

According to a business news portal "Verslo Žinios", Vilnius region leads in the number of small solar power installations, with 95 registered systems. Other active regions include Panevėžys (91 systems), Kaunas (63), Klaipėda (56), and Šiauliai (34).

Despite available financial support, the Environmental Project Management Agency notes that uptake has been slow. Around 50 applications for financial assistance were registered last autumn, with just over €2,000 in support granted. The slow adoption could be due to the already low cost of installation or a lack of awareness about the benefits of balcony solar power systems and the available support programs.

A Boom in Small Solar Power Systems Expected

Energy experts predict that small solar power systems will see a rapid increase in Lithuania over the next few years.

Mr Karolis Bužinskas, Director of "Elektra man" UAB, which operates under the GreenUp brand, has observed a sharp rise in consumer interest. His company, in collaboration with the Lithuanian Consumer Alliance and the EUKI-project SUNRISE, has already installed two pilot projects in Vilnius and plans to install at least 10 more starting in March. Bužinskas stated in an interview with the Lithuanian press, “Two or three years ago, we thought this was unrealistic and wouldn’t happen in Lithuania. Now we are among its biggest advocates. The growing interest has exceeded our expectations.”

Lithuania appears to be following the trend seen in other countries where solar power adoption has been widespread. In Germany, for example, private households have installed 16 GW of solar power, with around 200 MW coming from balcony solar installations. Experts predict that Lithuania will eventually reach a similar proportion. If Lithuania followed Germany’s trend, the country should already have at least 10 MW of balcony solar installations. However, at present, the installed capacity is roughly 30 times lower.

How Can More People Be Encouraged to Adopt Solar Power?

These compact yet efficient systems play a key role in promoting energy independence and reducing reliance on external energy providers.

However, to maximize the benefits of solar energy, energy storage solutions are essential. Storage systems allow excess energy to be saved and used during cloudy days or at night.

Currently, energy storage systems vary in price, starting at around €500. To further encourage people to install small solar power systems, financial support for energy storage should also be considered. In Berlin, for example, the local government provides a €500 grant per household for setting up an energy storage system. Lithuania could implement a similar program, as long as the application process remains simple.

Another promising approach is incorporating small solar power systems into apartment buildings undergoing renovation.

Lithuania is rapidly moving towards a sustainable and energy-independent future. Small solar power systems are becoming increasingly appealing to consumers and are contributing to the country’s transition to a new energy system. These developments do not only help reduce electricity costs but also promote responsible environmental practices. In the coming years, it is expected that more and more Lithuanians will install small solar power systems on their balconies, providing cleaner energy and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Want to learn more? Visit our project website: https://www.euki.de/en/euki-projects/sunrise-prosumer-solar-energy/ or watch a video "Six steps to your own balcony PV" here:

This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). EUKI is a project funding instrument of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). The EUKI competition for project ideas is run by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). The overall objective of EUKI is to promote climate cooperation within the European Union (EU) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. www.euki.de/en

Photo credit: Lithuanian Consumers Alliance