How artists in urban areas can reduce studio costs with solar panels: A guide for studio owners

City life is exciting, but it also presents some challenges. For one thing, outdoor space is often scarce, and for another, monthly electricity bills are higher than ever before.

Why solar panels are useful for artists

Artists in creative industries will face unprecedented energy challenges in the coming years. German electricity customers pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world. Compared to other countries such as Belgium, Ireland, or the UK, Germany often ranks among the highest in household electricity prices, depending on the survey.

This reality affects the studios, galleries, and creative spaces of artists.

The energy crisis is creating significant problems for artists. One glass artist saw his gas bills increase many times over since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and the subsequent power crisis. Glass artists and sculptors in general are finding it difficult in this regard, as their energy-intensive processes are becoming virtually unaffordable.

“Blowing glass right now feels like throwing money directly into a furnace fire.”

A glass artist made this clear to us.

Creative spaces are struggling with shocking price increases. Energy costs have risen by as much as 200% in some studios. These dramatic price hikes are forcing artists to reduce production hours, use kilns less frequently, or close their studios altogether.

How solar panels work in a studio setting

Photovoltaic (PV) cells capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC). The system uses an inverter to convert DC into alternating current (AC), which powers lighting, air conditioning, and studio equipment.

Studios can connect the panels directly to their electrical system and generate clean energy on-site. Excess energy is fed back into the grid or stored in batteries. These solar cells provide power at night or on cloudy days. Art studios with high ceilings or accessible attics are ideal locations for solar panels.

What to do if there is no space available for solar panels?

If you live in a flat or apartment in a large city, you may have already looked into solar panels. However, you may have found that installing them on the roof is not practical.

What applies to private apartments is equally true for artists who operate a studio or atelier in urban spaces.

The good news? There is a simple, innovative solution that requires no ladders or complicated installations: one of these solutions is the EcoFlow balcony power plant .

Funding programs , which often exist at the state level here in Germany (in Bavaria up to €500 in funding per balcony power plant), reduce investment costs.

Some artists have found innovative ways to finance their solar projects. One astonishing story comes from London, where two artists raised money for neighborhood solar panels by sleeping on their roof for three weeks in winter as part of a performance art piece. Their creative fundraising helped dozens of homes in North London get solar panels installed. One resident expects to reduce his electricity bill by 70% as a result.

Benefits beyond simply saving money

Solar energy offers artists more than just financial advantages – it provides a degree of freedom and independence. Artists can reliably operate energy-intensive equipment and avoid service interruptions. They can work without having to worry about sudden electricity price increases or unexpected power outages.

Solar panels also improve the public perception of artists' work and attract visitors who value environmental responsibility. These positive associations create new opportunities for community support and engagement.

What makes a balcony power plant so special?

A balcony power plant isn't a huge array of solar panels mounted on your roof. It's a small, plug-and-play solar kit that easily fits on a balcony, terrace, or even a sunny wall. Installation is surprisingly simple. The kit includes durable solar panels that collect sunlight and a micro-inverter that plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet in your studio—no need to call an electrician or tear open your walls to get started.

You can generate clean electricity instantly. The modules absorb solar energy, and the micro-inverter converts it into electricity that you can use for everything from charging your phone to 3D printing and powering woodworking tools. In a world where space is limited but the sun shines abundantly, that's a real advantage.

This is how it works for different types of housing

Everyone has a slightly different living space. Studio settings are also often diverse. In urban areas, private living spaces and creative spaces are frequently located under the same roof. Perhaps your apartment has a long, narrow balcony, or you enjoy a small courtyard on the ground floor with your creative workshop.

With EcoFlow you have several options:

• Some people attach their modules directly to railings – without damage and without effort.
• Flat surfaces such as terraces or gardens are suitable for freestanding module brackets.
• Flat roofs benefit from flat brackets designed for stability and ventilation.
• Tiltable brackets are used on sloping roofs to capture the sun from morning to evening.
• On vertical facades, you can install modules on sunny walls and thus make optimal use of every ray of sunshine.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. You can customize your solar system to your specific location and the amount of sunlight it receives.

Battery storage: Power when the sun sets

It's always good to have a power reserve, especially as the day draws to a close. While your balcony power plant performs best in sunshine, you might also want power in the evening. This is where EcoFlow batteries come in.

With models like the STREAM Ultra, you can store excess energy during the day and use it whenever needed. Whether it's for post-production work on a video late at night or to power your Wi-Fi router during a downpour, battery sizes from 1.9 kWh to 4 kWh let you decide how much reserve power you need. You can start small and expand as your needs grow.

Additional innovative features, real impact

Solar panels have evolved significantly – today's systems are equipped with smart technology. EcoFlow equips its balcony power plant with SolarTracker . This sophisticated feature adjusts the angle of the panels throughout the day, following the sun and thus extracting up to 60% more energy than fixed-mount panels.

Furthermore, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology ensures that a kit delivers optimal energy even when a cloud passes by or your neighbor's building casts a shadow. Thanks to the real-time statistics in the EcoFlow app, you know exactly how much energy your system is generating.

What convinces existing customers the most?

When you talk to people who have installed a solar power system on their balcony at home, you repeatedly hear about some clear advantages:

• Almost immediate savings: A typical household generates up to 858 kWh per year.
• Electricity bills are significantly lower – many save between 130 and 240 euros.
• Since the mounting hardware is included, you do not need to hire an installer.
• The compact modules look neat and fit into most balconies, ensuring your outdoor oasis remains attractive.
• Almost anyone with an outdoor space can get started. Renters benefit from the fact that the systems require no permanent structural changes. If you move, simply take your kit with you.

Easy installation

Who likes long step-by-step instructions? Nobody. With EcoFlow, installation is child's play:

1. Choose a module size – most people decide based on the amount of sunlight their location receives.
2. Attach the modules using the included brackets. Most installations do not require drilling.
3. Connect the micro-inverter to the modules and plug it into a normal electrical outlet.
4. Watch your home harness solar energy.
5. The app takes care of the monitoring. You don't have to watch anything, but it's fun to see your performance stats improve.

What about local regulations and registration?

Most countries have simple regulations for small solar power systems, such as balcony power plants. In Germany, for example, you can easily register your system online in the Market Master Data Register. The process only takes a few minutes. This ensures the security of the local power grids and that your solar energy is officially recorded.

However, it is always advisable to check local regulations – a quick search or phone call will save you a lot of trouble later.

Who benefits from a balcony solar system?

• Tenants who want lower bills and an environmentally conscious lifestyle.
• City dwellers who are annoyed by tiny balconies or limited outdoor space.
• New homeowners who want to switch to solar energy without significant upfront costs.
• Fans of sustainability who want to start small.
• For those who move frequently – simply unplug and plug it back in at the new location.

Visual inspiration through real installations

EcoFlow presents examples that provide ideas for your own home:

• The balcony panels are neatly lined up and capture the midday sun.
• The STREAM micro-inverter is hidden next to the garden furniture and easily accessible.
• The batteries are discreetly stacked under a plant shelf and ready for nighttime use.
• The SolarTracker panels tilt towards the sun, thus maximizing the daily harvest.

Seeing these systems in action makes it easier to imagine your own solar-powered room.

Calculate your savings

Numbers help in making decisions. A well-placed kit can provide up to 858 kWh of electricity per year. Depending on your tariff, you can expect annual savings of up to €240 – money you can use for art supplies, new furnishings, travel, hobbies, or simply a night out.

By combining these savings with local solar subsidies, you can typically recoup your investment in four to six years. After that, your electricity is practically free, apart from minimal maintenance costs.

Solar energy for more people

What makes the EcoFlow balcony power system special is not just its flexibility or the savings it offers. It's the fact that people and creative individuals from all walks of life can easily use it.

You no longer have to feel excluded from the solar revolution because you live in a high-rise building or rent your studio. If you have sunlight, you have electricity.

Creative applications of solar energy technology in art

We wouldn't be an art magazine if we didn't talk about the use of new media as components in art itself.

Solar technology has also evolved from a useful tool to an artistic medium. Artists are now integrating photovoltaic elements into their works to create pieces that generate electricity and offer viewers an experience.

Integration of solar panels into installations

The Solar Panel Art Series transforms recycled solar panels into creative canvases. Since 2017, over 40 international artists have created works on recycled panels, and the proceeds support the Solar Kids School Program .

The Land Art Generator Initiative presented La Monarca in 2017 – the world's first solar mural installation. This butterfly-inspired artwork uses a special solar energy-generating film that covers the standard blue cells while simultaneously generating electricity for the local power grid.

Use of solar-powered tools and lighting

Solar-powered tools offer artists flexibility and sustainability. The Shadowlight solar lantern provides outdoor lighting without wiring, making it ideal for creative outdoor spaces. These lanterns illuminate for 8-10 hours after a 4-5 hour charge.

Solar panels help artists power various aesthetic components, including:

• Interactive kinetic sculptures with moving parts
• Dynamic murals with changing colors or light effects
• Illuminated installations that react to environmental conditions
• Examples of artistic solar panels in real studios

The artist Marjan van Aubel works with completely transparent solar cells. Her installation "8 Minutes and 20 Seconds" shows 11 solar panels surrounding an electric vehicle. Her designs combine solar technology so naturally that "you wouldn't know it if you weren't told."

V8 Architects created a colorful skylight made of translucent photovoltaic modules for Expo 2020 in Dubai. The skylight casts pink and blue light like stained glass windows while simultaneously generating energy. The Copenhagen International School features 12,000 solar panels disguised as blue cladding with a sequin-like effect. These panels generate more than 50% of the building's annual electricity needs.

Closing remarks

Solar technology offers artists a practical way to cope with rising energy costs in 2025 and well beyond. The financial benefits are undeniable. They can take advantage of tax incentives and grant programs and protect themselves against unexpected price increases. These savings help creatives invest more money in their art instead of watching it disappear into rising overhead costs.

Solar panels are changing the work of artists in meaningful ways. They provide reliable energy that doesn't fail during creative sessions, which is especially essential for those who use power-hungry equipment such as (firing, melting) furnaces, 3D printers, or digital video editing tools.

Artists looking to upgrade their studios have compelling reasons to switch to solar power. This investment leads to stable finances while offering greater creative freedom and environmental protection. As more and more artists experience these benefits firsthand, solar technology will become as essential in modern studios as brushes, clay, or cameras.

The rise of solar energy in artistic communities means more than just saving money. It marks a radical shift towards green creation that remains true to artistic vision and environmental stewardship. Studio owners facing challenging economic times will find that solar panels or balcony power plants offer them a welcome opportunity.