Plug-in solar
Enphase IQ Balcony Solar Kit Explained: Specs and US Availability
Enphase's IQ Balcony Solar Kit pairs two 384 W IQ8HC microinverters with a gateway for 800 W at 230 V. What it is, its specs and why it is not a US product.
Key facts
- Enphase launched the IQ Balcony Solar System in Germany in May 2025 and later in Belgium, according to its press releases.
- The kit contains two IQ8HC microinverters rated at 384 W each, an IQ Balcony Gateway and cables; panels and mounts are sold separately.
- It feeds at most 800 W to the home at 230 V and 50 Hz through a Schuko (Type F) plug, per Enphase's German data sheet.
- Its gateway has an auxiliary socket rated at 2,760 W that can run appliances from solar during a daytime grid outage.
- As of November 2026 we found no US version; US plug-in laws require 120 V hardware certified by a US-recognized testing laboratory.
The Enphase IQ Balcony Solar Kit is a plug-in solar kit Enphase launched in Germany in May 2025 and later in Belgium. Two IQ8HC microinverters, rated at 384 W each, connect through an IQ Balcony Gateway that feeds up to 800 W into a 230 V wall socket. As of November 2026 we found no US version, and the European hardware cannot be used on a US outlet.
What the IQ Balcony Solar Kit is
Enphase is best known in the US for the IQ series of microinverters used on residential rooftops. The balcony kit applies that technology to the European plug-in market, where Germany alone counted about 780,000 balcony systems by the time of the launch, according to SolarPower Europe figures quoted in launch coverage.
The kit is a set of electronics, not a complete system. It contains the microinverters, the gateway, the cables and a plug. Panels, brackets and mounting hardware are bought separately, which lets a buyer choose panels to fit a balcony but makes the kit’s price hard to compare with all-in-one kits.
Two variants exist: one gateway connects over Wi-Fi, the other over cellular data, with a five-year data plan for monitoring and updates, according to the data sheet. Further microinverters and panels can be added later, up to seven per gateway.
Specifications
The figures below come from Enphase’s preliminary German data sheet, revision DSH-00489-3.0 of April 2025. Voltgeber has not tested the product.
| Specification | IQ Balcony Solar Kit |
|---|---|
| Kit contents | 2 IQ8HC microinverters, 1 IQ Balcony Gateway, IQ Cable, AC power cable, 2 sealing caps, disconnect tool |
| Microinverter rating | 384 W each (IQ8HC) |
| Maximum output to grid | 800 W |
| Maximum output to auxiliary socket | 2,760 W |
| Grid voltage and frequency | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Rated current | 12 A |
| Plug and auxiliary socket | Type F (Schuko) |
| Expansion | Up to 7 panels with IQ8HC microinverters per gateway |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or cellular (CAT4), plus powerline communication |
| Gateway size and weight | 273 x 116 x 93 mm, about 1.1 to 1.2 kg |
| Enclosure ratings | IP67 microinverter, IP65 gateway |
| Warranty | 25 years microinverter, 5 years gateway |
| Grid compliance | VDE-AR-N 4105:2018-11 (German grid code) |
| Safety | EN 62368-1:2020, CE |
Two microinverters at 384 W total 768 W, close to the German 800 W limit. Adding microinverters raises panel capacity, while the gateway keeps the feed into the wall socket at 800 W. Our inverter guide explains how microinverter ratings and output caps fit together.
The auxiliary socket
The feature that sets the kit apart is the auxiliary socket on the gateway. Grid-tied plug-in kits switch off in a power outage, because the inverters need the grid as a reference and must not feed a dead line. Enphase’s gateway separates from the grid and keeps the auxiliary socket live, so appliances plugged directly into it can run on solar power during a daytime outage. The socket is rated for 230 V and 12 A, up to 2,760 W, but in practice the panels’ output limits what it can supply, and without a battery it works only while the sun shines.
That does not make the kit a backup system for the home. Your wall outlets stay dark; only what is plugged into the gateway runs.
Why the kit is built around 800 W
The 800 W figure is not an Enphase design choice; it is the German limit. Since May 2024, Germany has allowed plug-in systems with up to 800 W of inverter output and up to 2,000 W of panels, registered online in one step. The gateway’s job is to keep the feed into the wall socket at 800 W however many panels sit behind it, which is why the kit can grow to seven microinverters without breaking the rule. Our guide to balcony solar in Germany explains the German framework in English.
US laws are built differently. They cap the device at 1,200 W in most states and 1,920 W in Colorado, measured at the output, and they do not set a separate panel limit. A US version of a gateway-based kit would therefore need a different output limit as well as different voltage and certification. Several states also attach paperwork to the device rather than to the panels: Maryland requires notice to the utility before installation with a certification of the system’s safety features, and Virginia’s form, from January 2027, asks for the model number and the name of the certifying laboratory.
Who the kit is aimed at
Enphase positions the kit for apartment dwellers and households with limited roof space, and its press release stresses expandability and app monitoring. Buying panels and mounts separately suits people who want to choose panel size and appearance, or who already own panels. It is less convenient for buyers who want one box with everything, which is how most US kits are sold.
Can you buy it in the US?
As of November 2026, we have not found a US version or a US launch announcement. Enphase’s press releases on the product cover Germany and Belgium. The company said at the German launch that it planned to expand into other regions, without naming them.
The European kit is not usable in the US for three reasons:
- Voltage and frequency. It is built for 230 V and 50 Hz. US outlets deliver 120 V at 60 Hz, and the inverters will not synchronize with them.
- Plug. It uses a Type F (Schuko) plug. Fitting an adapter to a grid-feeding device is unsafe and voids any certification.
- Certification. It is certified to German and European standards. US state laws require certification by a laboratory recognized in the US; California requires certification as a plug-in photovoltaic system, and Virginia names the federal list of nationally recognized testing laboratories.
Imported units bought from European retailers would therefore not qualify under any US plug-in solar law. For what each state requires, see plug-in solar laws by state.
Enphase microinverters on US plug-in kits
Enphase IQ8 microinverters are listed for grid-interactive use in the US and installed on many rooftops. A rooftop microinverter connected to an outlet with a homemade cord, however, is not a certified plug-in system. The relevant US certification for plug-in equipment is UL 3700, an outline of investigation for which UL Solutions opened a certification program in January 2026. Whether Enphase will certify a US plug-in product under it, we could not confirm as of November 2026.
How it compares on paper with US plug-in kits
| Feature | Enphase IQ Balcony Kit (Germany) | Typical US plug-in kit, November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum output | 800 W | Up to 1,200 W in most state laws; up to 1,920 W in Colorado |
| Grid | 230 V, 50 Hz | 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Plug | Type F (Schuko) | Standard US plug or a manufacturer-specific connection |
| Panels and mounts | Not included | Usually included |
| Outage use | Auxiliary socket for daytime appliances | Usually none, unless the kit includes a battery |
| Certification | VDE-AR-N 4105, EN 62368-1, CE | UL 1741 inverter; complete-kit UL 3700 listing on some products |
| Monitoring | Enphase app, Wi-Fi or cellular | Varies by maker |
The comparison is on paper only. The two products are built for different grids and different laws. Our 1,200 W explainer covers what US kits are sized for.
What to check if you are waiting for a US version
If Enphase or any other maker brings a plug-in kit to the US, the checklist is the same:
- Confirm 120 V, 60 Hz output and an AC output within your state’s cap.
- Ask for the certificate of the complete system from a recognized testing laboratory, ideally to UL 3700.
- Check whether panels and mounting hardware are included, and whether the mounts suit your railing; see our mounting bracket guide.
- Check your state’s law and whether your utility must be notified.
- Compare the full system price, including panels and mounts, with all-in-one kits; our cost and savings guide shows what a kit can save.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
What is the Enphase IQ Balcony Solar Kit?
It is a plug-in solar kit for balconies that Enphase sells in Germany and Belgium. It contains two IQ8HC microinverters, an IQ Balcony Gateway that connects them to a wall socket and to the internet, and cables. You add your own panels and mounting hardware.
Is the Enphase IQ Balcony Solar Kit available in the United States?
Not as far as we can find as of November 2026. Enphase's announcements cover Germany and Belgium, and the published data sheet is for 230 V, 50 Hz grids with a European Schuko plug, which cannot be used on a US 120 V outlet.
How much power does the Enphase balcony kit produce?
The gateway feeds at most 800 W to the home, the limit under German rules. Each IQ8HC microinverter is rated at 384 W, and up to seven microinverters with panels can run on one gateway, according to Enphase's data sheet.
Does the Enphase IQ Balcony kit work during a power outage?
Partly. The wall-socket connection shuts off when the grid fails, like any grid-tied inverter. The gateway's auxiliary socket, rated at 2,760 W, can power appliances plugged into it from solar while the sun shines, according to Enphase.
Can I use Enphase IQ8 microinverters for plug-in solar in the US?
Enphase IQ8 microinverters are widely used on US rooftops, but a rooftop microinverter with a cord added is not a certified plug-in system. State plug-in laws require certification of the device, and California requires certification as a plug-in photovoltaic system.
How does the Enphase balcony kit compare with US plug-in kits?
On paper, it delivers less, 800 W against the 1,200 W most US laws allow, and leaves out panels and mounts. Its distinguishing features are the outage socket and Enphase's monitoring app. US kits run on 120 V and need US certification.
Sources
- Enphase Energy launches IQ Balcony Solar System in Germany
- Enphase Energy expands in Europe with the IQ Balcony Solar System in Belgium
- IQ Balcony Solar Kit data sheet (Germany, preliminary), DSH-00489-3.0, April 2025
- Enphase Energy launches plug-and-play IQ Balcony Solar System in Germany (May 8, 2025)
- UL Solutions debuts testing and certification framework for safer plug-in solar across the United States
- SB-868 Electricity: portable solar generation devices (Chapter 985, Statutes of 2026)
- Code of Virginia § 56-596.8: small portable solar generation devices
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or electrical advice. Your utility, state and local code have the final say.