Consumer advocates are suing Amazon and MediaMarktSaturn for inadequate information. Is there a new risk for home users?
If you want to reduce your electricity costs in the long term, a plug-in solar device, also known as a balcony power station or mini photovoltaic system, is a good option. Thanks to the new development and the Solar Package I, these devices make it possible to generate and use your own solar power.
However, special caution is required for devices with an output of over 800 watts: In this case, there is currently a requirement to have the device connected by a qualified electrician registered with the grid operator (more on this here). In addition, the mini PV system must be registered with the grid operator.
However, at least one of the two notices is missing from several large online retailers, as the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center reports. In particular, Amazon, Mediamarkt-Saturn and Netto-Online. The consumer advocates have therefore filed a lawsuit against the platform operators.
“The purpose of the requirement to have a qualified electrician is, on the one hand, fire and health protection, and, on the other hand, the protection of the power grid, which ultimately serves to ensure security of supply,” says Holger Schneidewindt, energy law expert at the NRW Consumer Advice Center, explaining the procedure. You can find out when a balcony power station becomes a fire risk here.
According to the consumer advice center, the operators of amazon.de, mediamarkt.de and saturn.de, as well as sellers of the devices, must comply with the obligation to provide information, so the argument goes.
The cases will be heard by the Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main (amazon.de), the Regional Court Munich (mediamarkt.de and saturn.de) and the Higher Regional Court of Bamberg (netto-online.de).
Consumers who have purchased plug-in solar devices with the corresponding power on the platforms mentioned should ensure that they have been connected correctly. Prospective buyers should obtain comprehensive information before purchasing and seek professional advice if necessary. If home users observe these safety precautions, there is no risk.
