What Is a Solar Pergola & How Much Does It Cost?

Pergolas have been around for centuries, originally used in gardens to provide shade and shelter from the sun for people and plants.

Today, they are still used for those same purposes, but can also be outfitted with solar panels to generate enough electricity to power your home.

If you’re interested in adding a solar pergola to your home, you are just in the right place!

In this article, you will discover what is a solar pergola, how it works, how much it costs, and whether you can install pergola solar panels or not.

Key Takeaways

• A solar pergola is an outdoor structure equipped with solar panels, combining functionality and aesthetic appeal to generate electricity.
• Solar pergolas come in two types: grid-tied, which connects to the home’s electrical grid, and off-grid, which uses batteries to store energy.
• Installing solar panels on a pergola typically takes about three weeks, including time for design, permitting, and physical installation.
• The average cost of a solar pergola in the U.S. is around $20,000, but it can save homeowners between $200 to $340 annually on electricity bills.

What Is a Solar Pergola?

A solar pergola is like your regular garden pergola, but it packs a bit more punch—it’s fitted with solar panels. 

This upgrade does more than just provide shade and look good; it transforms your backyard into a little power station.

Let’s break down what your choices are:

• Grid-Tied Solar Pergola: This one plugs right into your home’s electrical grid. It uses the sunshine to power up your place during the day. Any electricity you don’t use? It goes back to the grid. Often, this can help shave some dollars off your power bill or even earn you some credit, depending on where you live. 
• Off-Grid Solar Pergola: Perfect if you’re out in a spot where the electrical grid can’t reach you easily. This type stores the power it makes from the sun in batteries. This means you can still flip the lights on even when it’s dark outside.

Can You Put Solar Panels on Your Pergola?

You can install solar panels on your existing pergola or any flat outdoor structure. 

However, there are several important factors to consider before proceeding:

• Environmental Loads: Consider the impact of wind, rain, and snow. Structures in areas with heavy snowfall might be at risk of collapsing under the additional weight of snow on the panels.
• Weight: Solar panels are heavy, with an average panel weighing about 40 pounds (18 kg). Ensure your pergola can support the weight of the panels you plan to install.
• System Size: The size of your solar system affects the number of panels you need and the total weight your pergola must support. A larger system produces more energy but also adds more weight.

How Are Solar Panel Pergolas Installed?

Solar pergolas are installed in a way that’s close to setting up rooftop solar panels, but they’re tweaked a bit to match the unique look and function of a pergola. 

First things first, you’ll need a thorough check to ensure it can handle the extra weight of the panels. 

Once your pergola passes inspection, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of installing the hardware that’ll keep those panels in place. 

This involves attaching sturdy anchors to the pergola’s roof and putting in a mounting system that can handle all kinds of weather—rain, wind, you name it. 

Next up, connect the panels to your home’s electrical system. 

If your pergola is a bit of a trek from your house, this might involve digging a little trench to lay down the cables that will transport the electricity from the panels to your home.

These cables will connect to a solar inverter, which is typically placed near your home’s main electrical panel. 

The inverter’s job? 

To convert the solar power into electricity that your house can use.

If you’re going all out with a brand-new solar pergola, rather than just retrofitting an existing one, these steps are part of the game plan right from the start. 

What Are the Benefits of a Solar Panel Pergola?

1. Reduce Your Energy Expenses

Having a solar panel pergola is like hitting two birds with one stone—you get a cool, shady spot and save a bunch on your electric bills. 

Here’s how it all works: during the day, your solar panels soak up the sun and convert that into electricity you can use right away in your home. 

What’s even better? 

If your system produces more power than you need, you can sell that extra energy back to the grid if you’re hooked up to it, or you can store it in batteries if you’re not.

This setup means you aren’t buying as much electricity during those pricey peak hours. 

And if you’ve got more than you need, you can sell it at peak prices, then buy it back later at lower rates if needed. 

2. Shield Yourself from Rising Energy Costs

You know how it feels every time you see your electricity bill creeping up? 

Well, with a solar power pergola, that could be less of a worry. 

Here’s the scoop: by generating your electricity, you’re kind of setting yourself free from those pesky rising energy costs. 

And here’s the kicker: if you produce more energy than you use, you can sell that extra power back to the grid. 

As electricity prices climb, the rate you get for your surplus power could climb too. 

3. Boost Your Property Value

You know, having solar panels is like giving your house a value boost. 

It turns out, folks looking to buy a home are pretty keen on solar systems. 

They’re willing to pay about 4% more for a home that’s got one installed. 

So, let’s say your home is worth $200,000—just by adding solar panels, you could up its value by $8,000. 

4. Take Advantage of Government Incentives

Did you know the government is encouraging us to go green with some pretty sweet deals? 

They offer a bunch of solar incentives that can knock up to 22% off the cost of installing a solar panel system. 

Plus, there are extra savings with federal and state tax deductions. 

So if you’re thinking about switching to renewable energy, it’s worth checking out these perks.

5. Contribute to Environmental Conservation

Installing a solar panel pergola at your home is not just a financial win; it’s also a big plus for the environment. 

Here’s why: solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of power out there. 

Unlike burning fossil fuels, which release a bunch of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases into the air, solar panels generate electricity without any emissions. 

That means no smoke, no toxic gases, just clean energy.

This reduces the demand for energy from less clean sources and cuts down on overall pollution. 

How Much Does a Solar Pergola Cost?

A solar pergola costs around $20,000 on average if you’re looking to generate enough electricity to power a typical home. 

This total price is split between the actual structure and the solar tech on top.

First up, is the pergola itself. 

This can set you back about $4,000, but prices can vary. 

It depends on how big you want your pergola to be, anywhere from a cozy 8×8 feet to a more spacious 20×20 feet. 

Other factors like the length of the posts, the type of wood (pine and cedar are popular choices), whether it’s freestanding or attached to your house, and how it’s mounted (in the ground or on a surface) also play a part in the final cost.

Now, the pricier bit—the solar panel system. 

This usually costs about $16,000 for a setup that’s around 6.6kW, strong enough to handle all your home’s power needs. 

The price can fluctuate based on how much electricity you’re aiming to produce, the kind of solar panels you go for (like monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film), and whether your system is connected to the grid or not. 

Also, where you live can make a difference, as solar panel costs aren’t the same in every state. 

Don’t forget to check out any state solar incentives; these can knock a good chunk off the upfront costs, making it a bit easier on your wallet.

How Much Money Will Solar Panel Pergolas Save You?

A solar panel pergola will save you between $200 and $340 each year on your electricity bills, assuming you can fit between 3 to 5 panels on it. 

That estimate comes from converting pounds to dollars, giving you a ballpark figure based on today’s rates.

Here’s the deal: how much you end up saving depends on a few things. 

The size of your solar panel system is a big factor. 

Bigger systems mean more power generated, which could lead to bigger savings. 

Also, the amount of sunlight your pergola gets is crucial.

The more sunlight directly hits your panels, the more energy is produced.

There’s another possible plus. 

If you’re eligible for something like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff, you might even get paid for the excess electricity your panels generate and feed back into the grid.

But, there’s a catch: shade. 

If trees or buildings throw a lot of shade on your panels, they won’t work as efficiently. 

That means they’ll generate less electricity and save you less money.

Are Solar Pergolas Eligible for Solar Tax Credits?

Solar pergolas are eligible for solar tax credits in the United States, which fall under the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). 

This perk allows you to deduct a hefty portion of your installation costs from your federal taxes. 

Exactly how much you can save depends on when you install the system, but it’s usually a substantial amount.

But here’s the kicker: the credit isn’t just for the solar panels. 

It covers the whole system—everything from the equipment to the installation costs. 

To tap into this benefit, your solar pergola needs to be at your primary or secondary home in the U.S. and must be used to generate electricity for the residence. 

Plus, you need to ensure your setup complies with all local building codes and regulations, as these are necessary boxes to check for eligibility.

And the benefits don’t stop at the federal level. 

State and local governments often offer additional incentives, such as rebates or extra tax credits, which can further lower your expenses. 

The details of these incentives can vary widely depending on where you live, so I prefer you talk to a tax professional or a renewable energy expert. 

How Much Energy Can a Solar Pergola Produce?

To determine how much energy your solar pergola can produce, it’s pretty simple. 

You just need to multiply the average hours of peak sunlight your area receives by the capacity of your solar panel system. 

For example, let’s say you live in California, where you get about 5 hours of peak sunlight each day. 

If you have a solar pergola system with a capacity of 6.6kW, you would multiply 6.6 by 5, which gives you around 33kWh of energy each day. 

That’s generally enough to power a typical home for a day. 

What Can a Solar Pergola Power?

A solar pergola can light up your life—literally! 

It can power just about anything in your house that runs on electricity. We’re talking lights, TVs, air conditioners, fridges, heaters, and pumps. 

But here’s the catch: what you can power depends on your solar system size.

Let’s break it down: If you go for a small system, around 200 watts, it’s perfect for keeping your lights on and charging your phone. 

Need more juice? 

A medium-sized system, about 3 kilowatts, should do the trick for running your fridge, TV, and a good number of lights. 

And if you want to go all out, a large system—think around 8 kilowatts—can power your entire home, from the kitchen appliances to heating systems.

How Long Does it Take to Install Solar Panels on a Pergola?

It takes about 3 weeks to install solar panels on a pergola. 

Here’s how that time is usually spent: The first week involves designing your system and getting all the necessary permits. 

How quickly this phase goes can vary depending on how complex your system is and how fast your local authorities work. 

Once you’ve got your permits in hand, the next 2 weeks are all about installation. 

This includes mounting the solar panels, ensuring everything is properly inspected, and connecting everything to the local power grid. 

FAQs

Conclusion

As promised, we’ve gone through all the essentials about solar pergolas, from how they work to how much they might set you back. 

Here’s a pro tip to make it work for you: Get in touch with a solar expert to check out your place. 

They can figure out the best setup based on how much sun hits your yard and what your energy needs are. 

Do you still have questions or need help finding a solar consultant? 

Just drop us a line, and we’ll guide you through the next steps to making your solar dream a reality!

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