When you decide to go solar, solar panel installation is the first step! Some of the most popular variables are ground-mounted solar panels and solar carports. Another leading option for your patio or garden is ‘solar pergolas’ or ‘solar gazebos.’ Let’s read the article to gain a deep insight into it.
What Are Solar Pergolas?
These solar energy-producing structures are built outdoors or backward in your home. They can be built on already-made structures or customized according to your requirement.
You can choose a small structure if you need energy for outdoor lighting. Or even a more extensive setup of 5 kW to 10 kW if required.
Can You Put Solar Panels On The Existing Solar Patio Cover?
You can undoubtedly install solar panels on the solar patio cover. You can install it either on the existing or newly made one. Attaching a solar panel to the patio or rooftop will provide solar energy and shade for your home.
What Kind Of Controller Do You Need For Solar Pergolas?
You will require a charge controller if you charge your batteries with solar pergolas. For a 300-watt installation, you will require a 30A-rated, 60-volt input MPPT. Then open circuit voltage of 100 panels is around 21 volts.
MPPT controllers are 30% more effective than PWEN. They create more power when the solar panels are covered with clouds for their cold.
How Can You Get Your Solar Installation?
Making standalone solar structures is much more complex than installing a rooftop solar pergola. If you want smaller4 units that light up a few lights, you can explore DIY solar panel options. There are a few basic steps that need to be followed for installation.
- Design and size your system based on energy needs: The requirement is different for every household. You can go for off-grid systems, hybrid off-grid, and grid-tied-system.
- Purchase your solar system and components: Equipment can b purchased online. It would help to be mindful of the products’ efficiency and warranties.
- Install the racking or mount for the panels: Once done with purchasing, it’s time for installation. To begin, mark where you want your system installed, and drill the places where lag bots will be installed.
- Get in touch with your utility and request permission: Turn on the system once you have received the approval and frequently check how it works.
Solar Patio Cover Kits
Combined with solar patio covers, it improves your backyard and provides you with ample space for living. It can also be costly and effective with 100% financing with an expense less than your electricity charges.
#1 BI-Facial Solar Panels
- “Double glass” solar panels gather ground-bounce sunlight in the form of energy and look prettier.
- The wires and joints are not visible as it opts for concealed wiring, giving it a clean finish.
#2 Galvanised And Painted Canopies
The steel is galvanized and painted with 100% acrylic direct-to-metal paint to extend its unbeatable lifespan.
#3 Painted Steel Legs
- Oil-based primer[1] is applied on the legs to achieve superior paint adhesion
- Galvanized canopy steel
- A 100% tinted acrylic top coat is used.
Are Solar Panels Too Heavy For A Pergola Roof?
The average weight of any commercial 100-watt panel is around 17 and 20 lbs. This means the total weight would be around 15=20=300lbs. A general rule for pergola loading is 250 and 300 lbs. Hence if you mount panels on the rooftop, the total weight would push that upper limit if grid panels are used.
Are Solar Canopies Weather-Resistant?
Usually, solar panels are resistant to all sorts of climatic conditions.
You will be surprised to know that even on the most overrated days, they provide up to 30% or 50% of their optimum capacity and 20% when there is excessive rainfall. All credit goes to its waterproof casing.
Also, most panels are verified to withstand wind up to 140 miles per hour. And during cold temperatures, the performance of the solar cells is improved. What else can you ask for?
Strong Winds
But there is a catch. For example, if the panels get blocked during heavy snowfall or frost, ‘uplifting cases have come forward where the panels blew away and were lifted off due to harsh and robust winds.
And if nothing else bothers you, a nearby tree or might be a building can cast a shadow on the solar panels and hinder the sunlight from coming through.
If you make the gazebo from its primary, you can fabricate it to produce the maximum electricity by selecting its size, location, and capacity.
How Much Do Solar Patio Cover Kits Cost?
Though an extensively customized solar gazebo can provide various benefits, it often costs heavily on the pocket.
A 6-kilowatt solar system can charge you anywhere between $1300 to $1500 after paying all your taxes. And if you want to build a gazebo above the ground, expect a minimum expense of thousands of dollars.
Government Incentives
Be aware that you may be paying more than you would for rooftop solar system installation.
Government incentives are available, but it is advisable to review them to determine if you qualify for all the categories.
The predominant scheme available is the investment tax credit. (ITC), that provides a 26% reduction in the installation charges.
5 Tips For Potential Buying A Solar Gazebo
Here, we provide some tips for intelligent decisions when installing a solar gazebo.
#1 Multiple Quotes And Considerable Savings:
According to a survey, users compare different solar options as they get the best bargains. The large installation often charges you more.
#2 Big Installers Are The Most Costly
Larger solar companies fail to offer the best prices. It’s just the opposite. Their smaller counterparts provide offers that are pocket friendly.
#3 Know The Equipment
You must be aware of all the items that are being installed. Quality products are expensive, but their durability is better too. But it would help if you also watched out for fraudsters who sell cheap products at expensive rates.
#4 Understand The Watt System
The cost of a solar system is evaluated depending on its wattage.
The greater the wattage, the bigger the cost. PPW is evaluated by dividing the total output cost by the size of the system in watts.
#5 Ask For Referrals:
It is useless to mention that the solar industry has expanded phenomenally and has diverse options. Hence it is advisable to consult family, friends, and relatives aware of the grind.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?
If you need to perform a particular task, working this out from the battery capacity on watt-hours is recommended.
- A battery capacity of 100Ah or 1200 watt-hours.
- A 100-watt solar panel usually gives off 400Wh/day.
- The number of solar panels required is 1200/400 Wh is 3*100= 300 watts.
Hence, if you consider building a charging station, you will probably need three 100-watt solar panels to ensure all your batteries and appliances are well charged.
Solar Gazebo Vs. Solar Pergolas
In essence, both of them are very similar to each other. Both structures come under the same category of ‘ solar patio covers’ or ‘solar canopies’ as it is usually known. But specific reasons make gazebos different from pergolas. The rooftops of gazebos are comparatively more transparent than pergolas, providing more coverage from the scorching sunlight.
On the contrary, the roof of the pergolas is a bit slanted and provides partial coverage over a limited area, such as a garden or a patio.
Both of the above can be converted into a ‘solar lounge’ by fixing solar panels on top of them. But, most solar systems are usually installed on rooftops for their extended surface area and the extra exposure to sunlight from being at a height.
But it is noticed that most homeowners with a patio in their properties are generally opting for solar gazebos. If you don’t have a patio within your property, you can frame it with energy production.
Why Should You Buy A Solar Gazebo?
Solar gazebos are a perfect solution for those property owners with certain limitations but are eager to reap the advantages of solar energy.
- The space on the rooftop is limited.
- The tiles on the roofs are barrel tiles.
- The roof is aged and weak. Hence it wouldn’t be able to hold the weight of solar panels.
- The roof is not south-facing; hence the exposure is limited.
The uses:
Solar pergolas are not like ground-mounted solar panels. They provide dual benefits in terms of creating energy while retaining land use.
A significant concern that bothers everyone is that once the solar panel is installed on the ground or the roof, nothing can be done around or underneath them.
A gazebo, on the other hand, has benefits. You can easily set up a romantic sitting arrangement or a greenhouse from your home. There is no extra usage of land.
You can avail yourself of certain benefits if you have a gazebo. Some federal governments offer tax deductions to homeowners with a gazebo installed.
Can You Put Solar Panels On A Gazebo?
Mounting solar power panels on a gazebo is a brilliant idea. If your flat rooftop has limited space, your backyard patio is ideal for installation. You can easily add solar panels according to your requirements or another string inverter to the solar patio that covers the DC to AC voltage conversion.
But it would help if you remembered that with all the structures, the solar patio cover should be well-built and strong enough to support solar panels. For instance, a 300-watt panel can weigh around 40 lbs. Hence, you can easily use flexible solar panels according to your need.
Final Words
Solar panels, gazebos, and patios are routes to take if you want to go solar. If you don’t have enough space on your roof or residential properties, you can easily use them on the ground to reap the benefits of going solar in outdoor areas.
To ascertain your decision, you can seek help from a local market solar installer who can assess your property and provide you with the best resolutions according to your needs.