Balcony or rooftop?
For many Athens apartments, the balcony is the most realistic way to start without building-wide rooftop approval.
Balcony solar suits owners and tenants who cannot use a rooftop, live in an apartment building with a complex shared-space approval process, or want to start quickly with a smaller budget. A rooftop installation can offer more capacity and a better payback in absolute terms, but it usually needs building approval, an engineer's study, and several times the upfront cost. Sunrail focuses exclusively on balcony setups, with clear packages, fixed pricing, and a compliance check before you commit.
Comparison at a glance
The two approaches differ on cost, capacity, approval process, and timeline.
| Criterion | Balcony (Sunrail) | Rooftop (typical installation) |
|---|---|---|
| Who can install | Owner or tenant, without rooftop access | Usually only owners with access to a shared or private rooftop |
| Building approval | Usually not required (private space) | Usually requires general assembly approval |
| Upfront cost | €699 - €1,599 | €4,000 - €6,000+ |
| Installation | €99 (Athens) | Usually higher labor cost, included in the quote |
| Maximum capacity | up to ~1.6 kWp (Max package) | 3 kWp and above |
| Timeline | Usually days to a few weeks | Usually months (study, permitting, installation) |
Rooftop prices are indicative for a typical 3-5kW installation in Greece and vary by installer, equipment, and roof work involved.
Cost in detail
Upfront cost is the biggest differentiator. A Sunrail balcony system starts at €699 (Basic) up to €1,599 (Max), with Athens installation from €99 - see the full cost breakdown. A typical rooftop installation on an apartment building or house in Greece usually starts at €4,000-€6,000+ for a 3-5kW system, since it involves more panels, often a structural study, roof work, and grid connection through a licensed installer. Rooftop often has a lower cost per produced kWh long-term, but it requires several times the upfront capital and a longer time before payback begins. To see how payback changes with system size and your own consumption, try the payback calculator.
Approval process
The difference is not only financial. Small plug-in or balcony solar systems usually do not need general assembly approval, since they sit on your own private balcony and connect directly to the apartment's outlet or panel. You still need to check the current rules and any required ΔΕΔΔΗΕ (grid operator) registration before proceeding - see the full breakdown on the Greek rules page. A rooftop installation on an apartment building is a different matter: the rooftop is usually shared space, so it needs general assembly approval from the owners, a structural adequacy study from an engineer, and a formal grid connection through a licensed installer and ΔΕΔΔΗΕ under net billing. If you live in a house with your own rooftop, the process is simpler, but it still requires a study and grid connection.
Which one fits you
Balcony makes sense if...
- You rent your apartment or have no rooftop access.
- You live in an apartment building and want to skip the general assembly process.
- You want a smaller upfront cost and a faster payback.
- You want to try solar before committing to a larger installation.
Rooftop makes sense if...
- You have exclusive access to or ownership of a rooftop.
- Your consumption is high and you need more capacity than a balcony allows.
- You're ready to invest more upfront capital and time in study and permitting.
FAQ
Usually yes, as long as the installation stays on your own balcony and does not affect shared areas or the building facade. It is a good idea to tell your landlord before you proceed.
Usually not, since the balcony is private space. A rooftop installation, which uses shared space, usually needs approval from the building's general assembly.
The two systems work independently. Many people start with balcony solar and evaluate a future rooftop installation separately, if they gain access and budget.