Solar pergolas have become increasingly popular, because they give people a way to generate solar power where a rooftop isn’t enough to meet a homeowner’s specific energy needs. Elevating the solar panels on a frame will give you the best of both worlds. Not only will it give you a shaded space that will protect your home from the elements, but it will also give you enough solar energy production to meet your required capacity. It can even be an attractive way to showcase your solar energy investment.
You can find solar pergolas in a variety of custom designs, and they can be made in a number of durable materials (from pressure-treated wood to aluminum). Most of them are designed in a way that will offer the best combination of beauty, cost, and functionality. Some of them even have long warranties that match what is usually provided by solar panel manufacturers (which is 25 years). They’re usually not attached to another structure, but they can be adjacent to your home. So, they can appear to be part of your home. They can also be in an isolated spot to create separate living and entertainment spaces that are close to certain popular areas (such as a pool or lakeside).
When Rooftop Solar Panels May Not Be Suitable
Installing a well-designed and sized solar energy system on a rooftop will usually be the most cost-effective option, but it’s not suitable for every home. Some of the challenges may include the following:
- Excessive shading from trees and other structures, where removing them will cost too much or may not be wanted.
- A roof design that includes pitch or obstacles (such as gables and vents) that make it unsuitable.
- The home electricity needs can’t be met by installing rooftop-mounted solar panels (the available roof area is suitable but won’t support enough solar panels).
- The roof materials are aging, and the homeowner chooses to delay any needed repairs.
- The aesthetics of rooftop solar panels may not be appealing to the homeowner or are restricted by local rules.
Homeowners may also want the advantages that come with solar pergolas.
The Benefits of Solar Pergolas
Some of the advantages of solar pergolas include the following:
- It makes solar energy more accessible — It can be a great option if your roof isn’t suited for a solar panel installation.
- More effective use of yard space — It allows you to use the space for leisure activities while avoiding the problems associated with ground-mounted solar panels that take up too much outdoor space.
- It’s more aesthetically pleasing — It will give you a solar panel solution that will be more pleasing to the eye than a rooftop installation.
- Extended energy generation — It’s a viable option if you already have solar panels installed but want to increase the amount of electricity being produced.
- It will maintain the usability of your yard — You can preserve a space for walking in the yard even after you have installed solar panels.
Be sure to speak to a professional for more information.
The Drawbacks to Solar Panel Pergolas
While solar pergolas have a number of advantages, they do have their drawbacks. Some of them include the following:
- Higher Cost — Solar panel pergolas will cost more to install than standard pergolas.
- Space Constraints — If you’re adding solar panels to an existing pergola, the available space may not be enough to accommodate the number of required solar panels.
- Installation Costs — If your pergola has a flat roof, it will cost more to install them at the proper angle.
The output of solar panel pergolas can also be affected by shadows, because their roofs aren’t as high. This can affect how much energy they produce.
The Cost of Solar Pergolas
The average cost of a solar panel installation will be approximately $.2.42 for each watt of energy that’s being produced. For a 5kW installation, the average cost is about $12,087 before incentives. But the prices can range from $10,274 to $13,900. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30 percent.
The exact cost of installation will depend on the size of the solar panel system. Larger systems will cost more, but you may end up paying less than the average. At the same time, doubling your system size will double the average price of $12,087 in the City of Corpus Christi.
If you want to install a solar pergola in your backyard and are looking for one of the best places to help you with the installation, be sure to get in touch with Solar Power Integrator.