“Bonus pergola” Save with a support system

Subsidies for solar pergola - how to reduce the cost of investment by up to PLN 40,000

Anna sits at the kitchen table, browsing another bioclimatic pergola offer. “This would be the perfect solution for our terrace,” he thinks, imagining summer evenings spent outdoors. However, as her gaze falls on the price, she feels the familiar sting of disappointment. The premium pergola she dreams of costs much more than she planned to spend.

This story is repeated in many Polish homes. Property owners are faced with a difficult choice: invest in a basic solution that may not meet all expectations, or significantly exceed budget for better quality? The problem becomes even more complex when we take into account the rising energy prices and the need to invest in photovoltaic solutions.

“At first I was skeptical about premium pergolas,” admits Tomasz, an architect with 15 years of experience. “Customers often opted out of this solution because of the price, not knowing that they could receive significant financial support. It's a bit like with heat pumps a few years ago - everyone saw a high starting price, not noticing the subsidies available and the long-term savings.”

Indeed, research shows that as many as 70% of potential investors do not even check the possibility of funding, automatically assuming that their project does not qualify. “This is a common mistake,” explains Małgorzata, advisor for photovoltaics. “What many customers do not know is that a solar pergola is not only a terrace canopy, but above all a full-fledged photovoltaic installation that qualifies for the same support programs as traditional solar panels.”

The problem is further complicated by the apparent complexity of the process of obtaining grants. Marta and Piotr from Wroclaw postponed the decision to buy a solar pergola for several months, fearing bureaucratic complications. “It seemed to us that it would take weeks to complete the applications themselves, and then we would wait months for a decision,” recalls Marta. “If we knew how simple this process could be with the right support, we would have decided much sooner.”

Experts also point to the problem of not being aware of the full costs of having cheaper solutions. “Customers often focus only on the purchase price,” explains Jakub, a financial analyst specializing in energy investments. “They do not take into account the rising energy costs that they could significantly reduce with a solar pergola. At current electricity prices, the difference in bills can reach up to PLN 2,000 per year.”

The history of the Kowalski family from Józefów near Warsaw illustrates this problem well. After much deliberation, they decided on the cheapest option - an ordinary pergola without photovoltaic functions. “We thought we were saving,” Mr Marek admits. “Only after a year, when we saw how much we were spending on air conditioning and how much the terrace was heating, did we realize our mistake. If we knew then about the subsidies available, we could have a much better solution at a similar price.”

Fortunately, the situation on the market is changing, and the financial support available is becoming more and more significant. In the next part, we will look at exactly what opportunities are facing investors planning to purchase a solar pergola and what the process of obtaining financing looks like in practice.

Solar Pergola Support System

“When I show clients the full structure of the support available, they often can't believe it's really that simple,” says Agnieszka, a photovoltaic advisor with 8 years of experience. “The 'My Power' program, combined with the thermo-modernization relief, can radically change the profitability of the investment in a solar pergola.”

Let's take a closer look at how this system works. The “My Current 6.0" program is currently the most attractive form of support for photovoltaic installations. In the case of a solar pergola, we can receive up to PLN 23,000 in grants. How is that possible? First, the photovoltaic system in the pergola itself is eligible for a basic subsidy of PLN 7,000. If we add energy storage to this, we can get an additional PLN 16,000.

“It's like a puzzle made of bricks,” explains Michał, an expert on renewable energy. “Any element of the system can bring additional support. For example, by integrating a pergola with an energy storage, we not only maximize the subsidy, but also increase the efficiency of the entire system. This is especially true for pergolas, which often produce the most energy just when we need it most — on sunny, hot days.”

But this is not the end of the possibilities. The thermomodernization allowance allows you to additionally deduct up to PLN 53,000 from the tax. In practice, this means that with PIT settlement we can recover up to 32% of the value of the investment. Importantly, the relief includes not only the photovoltaic panels themselves, but the entire construction of the pergola together with the automation system and energy storage.

What does it look like in practice? Take the example of the Nowak family from Poznań. “At first we were terrified by the amount of PLN 85,000 for a complete system with energy storage,” recalls Mrs. Katarzyna. “But when we analyzed all forms of support, it turned out that our actual cost would be much lower. We received a grant of PLN 23,000 from the 'My Prąd' programme, and thanks to the thermomodernization relief we recovered another PLN 26,000 when settling the tax.”

Moreover, the process of obtaining support is much simpler than it might seem. Manufacturers of solar pergolas, aware of the importance of subsidies for their customers, have created a comprehensive support system. “It's not like we leave the customer alone with the formalities,” explains Tomasz, representative of Solar Breaker. “Our team guides the investor through the entire process - from the initial calculation of the available forms of support, through the preparation of the necessary documentation, to the final settlement of the subsidy and tax credit.”

A key element is the proper certification of the product. A solar pergola must meet a number of technical requirements to be eligible for support. “That is why it is so important to choose a proven manufacturer” - emphasizes Piotr, a certified installer of photovoltaic systems. “All our pergolas have the necessary certificates and approvals, which guarantees not only safety of use, but also the certainty of receiving funding.”

It is also worth remembering the possibility of phased implementation of the investment. “Some customers first decide on the basic version of the pergola with photovoltaic installation, in order to add an energy storage next year, with the new edition of the 'My Power program',” explains Agnieszka. “This allows you to spread the costs over time and make the most of the available support.”

Real savings and return on investment - benefit calculator

Now let's look at specific figures that show how the support system translates into real savings. We will take as an example a standard solar pergola measuring 4x5 meters, which is the most popular choice among Polish investors.

“I often start a conversation with customers with a simple question: how much do they spend on electricity per month?” - says Adam, energy advisor. “When I show them a full calculation that takes into account not only subsidies, but also future savings on the bills, their perspective changes completely.”

Let's look at a detailed calculation for a typical family:

Initial investment in a solar pergola with energy storage: PLN 85,000

• Subsidy from the “My Power” program: -23 000 PLN
• Thermomodernization allowance (tax refund): -26 000 złActual investment cost: 36 000 zł

“However, this is only the beginning of savings,” explains Maria, a financial analyst. “A solar pergola of this size generates about 3.2 kWp of power, which at current energy prices translates into annual savings of PLN 3000-4000 on electricity bills.”

Mr. Andrzej from Warsaw shared his experience: “When we added up all the benefits after the first year - lower electricity bills, comfort of using the terrace without additional air conditioning, the possibility of working outdoors - it turned out that the real payback period of the investment will be much shorter than we initially assumed.”

An important aspect is also the increase in the value of the property. “Nowadays, when environmental awareness is growing and energy costs are becoming an increasing burden on household budgets, properties with their own energy sources are much more attractive on the market,” explains Joanna, a real estate expert. “We estimate that a well-designed solar pergola can increase the value of a home by up to 5-7%.”

How to maximize the support available? Here are practical tips from experts:

1. Plan the investment in the first quarter of the year - this will allow you to receive a subsidy faster and settle the tax deduction.
2. Consider purchasing an energy storage along with a pergola - this not only increases the subsidy, but also improves the efficiency of the entire system.
3. Document all expenses - each element of the system can count towards the thermomodernization relief.
4. Consult your tax advisor - some additional elements, such as an automation system or LED lighting, may also be eligible for relief.

“The most important thing is to look at the investment as a whole,” concludes Krzysztof, an expert on renewable energy. “A solar pergola is not only a cost, but above all an investment that will benefit for many years to come. With the current support system and rising energy prices, the question is not 'whether? ' , but 'when? ' Decide on such a solution.”

The Kowalski family, who opted for a solar pergola last year, sums up their decision: “After deducting all subsidies and allowances, our premium pergola cost as much as a basic solution without photovoltaics. Now we not only have a comfortable space to relax, but also our own small power plant that lowers our electricity bills. It was one of the best investment decisions we made.”

Did you know that...? Fun Fact: A 20m² solar pergola can produce as much energy in a year as the average Polish family consumes for air conditioning and outdoor lighting. That is, in practice, it can pay for itself in 4-5 years, even without taking into account subsidies and tax deductions!

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