A fence that generates energy - double functionality of the eFence system

Homeowner Dilemmas

“When I saw the last electricity bill, I knew I had to do something about it,” says Mr. Marek, the owner of a house near Warsaw. “But when I started looking at the possibilities of installing photovoltaics, there were a lot of doubts. Where to put the panels? What will it look like? Do I even have enough space?”

These are the stories we hear more and more often. Homeowners face a real dilemma - on the one hand, they want to become independent from rising energy prices, on the other - they do not want to sacrifice valuable space on their plot or spoil the carefully planned architecture.

Let's take a closer look at the main challenges. First, a traditional photovoltaic installation requires a large area. Standard panels usually occupy a significant part of the roof or require a separate construction on the ground. This is especially problematic on smaller plots, where every square meter is worth its weight in gold. “We have a beautiful garden that we have been designing for years,” says Anna from a residential estate near Warsaw. “I can't imagine building a part of it now with a panel structure.”

The second aspect is the issue of cost. Homeowners usually have to invest separately in a property fence and a photovoltaic system. These are two independent, significant investments. According to market data, the average cost of a professional fence for a plot of 800m2 is about 40-50 thousand zlotys. Added to this is the cost of photovoltaic installation - another 35-45 thousand for a system with a capacity of 10kWp. The total investment can therefore exceed PLN 80-90 thousand.

Aesthetic issues cannot be left out either. Traditional photovoltaic installations, to be honest, rarely adorn the property. Large, dark blue panels on aluminum racks can disrupt the carefully planned architecture of the house and garden. “The neighbor installed the panels on the ground and, frankly, it looks like a small industrial power plant,” admits Mr. Tomasz, an architect with 15 years of experience. “I understand the need to produce your own energy, but it often comes at the expense of aesthetics.”

Added to this are formal challenges. The installation of a traditional photovoltaic installation often requires additional permits and arrangements, especially if we are planning an above-ground construction. In some locations, the local zoning plan may even exclude such solutions.

The statistics speak for themselves - according to the latest market research, more than 70% of homeowners are considering installing photovoltaics, but almost half of them hold off on the decision precisely because of space limitations or concerns about aesthetics. At the same time, electricity prices in recent years have been growing by an average of 15-20% per year, which makes the need to find alternative solutions more and more urgent.

These challenges clearly show that the market needs a new approach - a solution that will combine the functionality of the fence with energy production without forcing compromises in aesthetics or the use of space. In the next part, we will look at how the eFence system responds to these needs, introducing a completely new quality in the category of photovoltaic fences.

Innovative eFence design

Imagine a fence that not only protects your property, but also feeds your home with clean energy. Sounds like science fiction? And yet this is already a reality thanks to the eFence system. Let's take a closer look at how this solution copes with the challenges we described in the previous section.

“When I first saw eFence, I was surprised that it is a photovoltaic fence at all,” admits Paweł Kowalski, landscape architect. “We have become accustomed to the sight of traditional solar panels that clearly stand out on the property. Here we are dealing with something completely different - an elegant, modern fence, which, by the way, produces energy.”

The secret lies in the innovative design. The eFence system is not an ordinary fence with photovoltaic panels glued together, but a well-thought-out integration of both functions from scratch. Each span consists of durable aluminum profiles, in which photovoltaic modules are harmoniously integrated. From the side of the street we see an elegant uniform surface, and from the inside - a reinforced structure for safety.

It is worth looking at the technical details. The standard eFence span can accommodate from one to four photovoltaic modules, each with a capacity of about 160Wp. Importantly, the system offers unprecedented flexibility - we can freely compose active (with PV modules) and inactive (full aluminum) spans, adapting the system to solar conditions and energy needs.

“This completely changes the approach to fence design” - explains Tomasz Nowak, certified installer of eFence systems. “We no longer have to compromise between aesthetics and functionality. For example, we can use active ranges where we have the best sunlight, and in shady areas use inactive ranges - the whole thing will look identical.”

The design is based on massive 100x100mm posts, which not only provide stability, but also serve as channels for conducting wiring. This is another example of thoughtful design - all technical elements are discreetly hidden, without disturbing the clean line of the fence.

The installation of the system has also been simplified as much as possible. “The eFence installation is more like installing a traditional aluminum fence than a photovoltaic system,” explains Nowak. “The bays are prefabricated and equipped with plug&play connectors. You don't have to be an expert in photovoltaics to install them.”

When compared with traditional solutions, the difference is striking. A standard ground-based PV installation requires a separate support structure, takes up extra space and clearly cuts off from the architecture of the property. eFence eliminates these problems by offering a 2-in-1 solution: a full-fledged fence and an efficient solar power plant in one.

The system is designed for long-term operation. The aluminum construction is corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free. Photovoltaic modules are protected by a special coating, which ensures not only durability, but also self-cleaning during rain. “It's a really thoughtful product,” confirms Nowak. “After two years of the first installations, we did not have a single service request for the structure.”

Moreover, the system can be easily expanded. If we initially decide on a smaller number of active modules, in the future we can add more without problems, increasing the power of the installation. This flexible approach allows you to spread the investment over time and adapt it to the growing energy needs.

In the next part, we will look at the specific benefits that the eFence system brings to its users and analyze the profitability of such an investment.

What you gain by choosing eFence

When we talk to the owners of eFence systems, we often hear the same statement: “This was one of the best investment decisions.” Let's take a closer look at why this is so and what concrete benefits this innovative solution brings.

Let's start with what most interests homeowners - savings. Take the example of a typical eFence installation 50 meters long, equipped with photovoltaic modules with a total power of 6.4 kWp. Such a system can produce about 5800 kWh of electricity per year. At current electricity prices (around EUR 0.20/kWh), this means annual savings of more than EUR 1160.

“At first it seemed to me that it was an expensive investment” - admits Mr. Andrzej, one of the first users of the eFence system. “But when I calculated that I would have to spend a significant amount on a decent fence anyway, and additionally save on electricity bills, it turned out that it just paid off.”

Moreover, the system is eligible for the “My Electricity” program, which allows you to obtain a subsidy of up to 5000 EUR. Adding to this the thermo-modernization relief, the real cost of the investment can be up to 30-35% lower. With current trends in energy prices, the payback period of such an investment is about 7-8 years.

However, financial benefits are not everything. Homeowners especially appreciate the aesthetics of the system. “Neighbors often ask if it is an ordinary aluminum fence,” laughs Mrs. Katarzyna from a residential estate near Warsaw. “They are surprised to learn that it is a photovoltaic installation. The system fits perfectly with the modern architecture of our house.”

It is also worth mentioning the spatial aspect. A traditional 6.4 kWp photovoltaic installation would occupy about 32m² of roof or ground area. In the case of eFence, the same power is “hidden” in the fence, which would have to stand on the property anyway. This is especially important on smaller plots, where every square meter is valuable.

The system also offers unprecedented expansion possibilities. “We started with 8 active ranges,” says Mr. Marek. “When we bought an electric car and our energy demand increased, we simply replaced another 4 bays with active ones. The whole operation took one day.”

Users also appreciate the maintenance-free operation of the system. The aluminum construction is maintenance-free, and the special coating of the photovoltaic modules makes the rain effectively wash away any dirt. The system is also equipped with intelligent monitoring, which informs on an ongoing basis about energy production and possible irregularities.

“What really makes the difference is the technical support,” emphasizes Mr. Tomasz, who installed the system a year ago. “When I had doubts about the configuration of the inverter, a specialist from Electrotile connected remotely and set everything up. I didn't have to wait for the service to arrive.”

It is also worth mentioning the additional functionalities. The system can be equipped with integrated LED lighting, powered directly from the energy produced. There is also a mobile application, allowing to monitor energy production and control lighting.

Looking ahead, choosing the eFence system is also an investment in property value. With increasing environmental awareness and rising energy prices, homes equipped with photovoltaic systems are gaining in value. The aesthetic combination of the fence with energy production is an additional advantage when selling.

The eFence system is not just an innovative product - it is a new look at what modern properties can look like. Combining the functionality of the fence with the production of clean energy, it sets trends in residential architecture and shows that ecology can go hand in hand with aesthetics and practicality.

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