Financial Benefits of Green Choice — Part 1

The hidden financial burden of traditional elections

When we consider buying a carport, we often focus solely on the initial purchase price. “This is just a canopy for the car” - we think, looking for the cheapest solution. Meanwhile, this approach turns out to be a costly trap in the long run.

A standard carport without photovoltaic functions is not only a lost opportunity to produce your own energy, but also an additional element that does not bring any financial benefits. Meanwhile, electricity bills are growing year by year - according to URE data, over the past five years, energy prices for households have increased by more than 40%. With current trends, we can expect further increases over the next decade.

“Initially, I was skeptical about investing in a carport with photovoltaic panels due to the higher starting price. But when I compared it with my rising electricity bills, I realized that a standard carport is basically a construction that costs money and gives nothing in return,” says Tomasz, owner of a single-family house near Warsaw.

Many people do not realize that the government is actively supporting the energy transition through specific financial programs. The “My Power” program in its sixth edition offers impressive support - as much as PLN 7000 in subsidies for a photovoltaic installation and an additional PLN 13000 for an energy storage. In total, you can receive up to 20,000 PLN of non-refundable subsidy!

But that's not all. The thermal modernization allowance allows for tax deduction of costs incurred for investments that increase the energy efficiency of buildings - including photovoltaic installations. The maximum amount of deduction is PLN 53000, which at a tax rate of 17% means a saving of up to PLN 9010.

A practical example: an ePark carport with a photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 3 kW can cost about 45000 PLN. After taking into account the subsidy from the “My Power” program (PLN 7000) and the thermal modernization allowance (approximately PLN 6460 assuming qualified costs), the actual cost of the investment drops to approximately PLN 31540. And this is only the beginning of the savings that begin with the production of your own electricity.

The key difference between the standard carport and the ePark model lies precisely in the fact that the latter quickly begins to make money on itself. Research shows that a photovoltaic installation with a capacity of 3 kW in Polish conditions can generate on average about 2850 kWh of energy per year. At current energy prices, this means savings of the order of PLN 2000-2500 per year, and this amount will increase with the expected increases in energy prices.

Can you really afford a carport that does not generate any savings?

How to use the full potential of available support programs

Many people give up advanced photovoltaic solutions because they do not know how to navigate effectively in the thicket of available subsidies. Meanwhile, the correct use of all opportunities can radically change the profitability of investments.

The program “My Current 6.0" is much more generous than its previous editions. In addition to the basic subsidy of PLN 7000 for a photovoltaic installation, it offers as much as PLN 13000 for an energy storage. The total amount of PLN 20000 can cover up to 50% of the installation costs with the warehouse! Importantly, the ePark carport with photovoltaic panels is eligible for this program on the same terms as a traditional roof installation.

“Customers are often not aware that they can combine different forms of support,” explains Magdalena Kowalska, energy advisor. “You can take advantage of the 'My Power' program and the thermo-modernization allowance at the same time, and business owners can additionally include the installation in the cost of obtaining income.”

To make the most of the available support, it is worth paying attention to several practical aspects:

The size of the energy storage matters - the subsidy is proportional to the capacity, so it is worth thinking carefully about your energy needs. For an average household, the optimal size is 7-10 kWh, which allows you to receive a significant part of the maximum subsidy.

The timing of the application is crucial - in the program “My Current” there is a “first come, first served” principle. Applications should be submitted only after the investment is completed and the installation is connected to the network.

Documentation must be complete - make sure you have all invoices, certificates and confirmations. Electrotile provides full support in the preparation of documentation for the “My Current” program, which significantly increases the chances of prompt consideration of the application.

When using the thermomodernization allowance, remember that the deduction is due to an individual, the owner or co-owner of a single-family residential building. The allowance is accounted for in the PIT annual return, and expenses can be deducted over the next 6 years, counting from the end of the tax year in which the first expense was incurred.

It is also worth knowing that thanks to the amendment of the Renewable Energy Sources Act, from 2022 it is possible to expand the photovoltaic installation without losing the status of prosumer. This means that if you already have a rooftop installation, you can extend it with modules on the ePark carport, retaining all the benefits of the net-billing system.

“Initially, I only planned a traditional roof installation, but when I realized that I could increase the power with the carport and take advantage of additional energy storage subsidies, I completely changed my perspective. Now I have a system that provides me with almost 100% energy self-sufficiency” - Marek from Krakow shares his experience.

Also, remember that combining different forms of support requires proper tax planning. For example, the subsidy from the “My Power” program is exempt from income tax, while with the thermomodernization allowance we deduct the net costs incurred (without subsidies).

As you can see, the proper use of available programs can radically change the economics of the entire enterprise. Is it worth leaving thousands of zlotys on the table without taking advantage of these opportunities?

Long-term savings and increase in property value

Investing in an ePark carport is a decision that brings financial benefits for many years, far beyond the initial subsidies and tax breaks. It is this long-term perspective that makes the choice of an ecological carport so economically justified.

Producing your own electricity is the most obvious benefit. A 3 kW photovoltaic installation mounted on the ePark carport can generate about 2850 kWh of energy per year. With the current electricity prices for households, averaging 0.85 PLN/kWh, this results in annual savings of around PLN 2400. However, with projected increases in energy prices over the next decade, this value will rise steadily.

“I installed the ePark carport a year and a half ago, and I have already noticed that my electricity bills have dropped by more than 60%. With each increase in energy prices that my neighbors experience, my decision turns out to be more and more correct,” says Jarosław from Wrocław, one of the first buyers of the ePark carport.

Moreover, if you decide on an additional energy store, you can significantly increase the level of self-consumption of the energy produced. A standard photovoltaic installation without storage allows only about 20-30% of the generated energy to be used directly, the rest goes to the grid. With energy storage, this indicator can increase to 70-80%, which with the current net-billing system translates into additional savings of 1000-1500 PLN per year.

The Carport ePark in combination with the energy storage also offers energy independence during power outages. According to data from Polish Power Networks, the average duration of interruptions in energy supply in Poland is about 300 minutes per year. For people who work remotely or do business from home, every hour without electricity can mean tangible financial losses. Having your own energy storage eliminates this risk.

It is also worth looking at an aspect that hardly anyone thinks about when planning to buy a carport - the impact on the value of the property. Real estate market research indicates that houses equipped with photovoltaics are valued 4-8% higher than comparable properties without such installations. A modern carport with photovoltaics further increases this premium, improving both the functionality and aesthetics of the property.

“Homes with photovoltaic installations and smart-energy solutions sell faster and for higher amounts. This is no longer a niche, but a standard that buyers, especially younger generations, expect,” confirms Aleksandra Wiśniewska, an expert on the real estate market.

Analyzing the total cost of ownership (TCO) over a period of 25 years, an ePark carport with photovoltaics costs effectively less than a standard carport without a power generation function. Assuming an initial price of PLN 45000, a subsidy of PLN 7000, a tax deduction of PLN 6460 and annual savings of PLN 2400 (increasing by 3% per year with energy prices), the return on investment occurs after about 7-8 years. In the remaining period of use, the plant generates a net profit.

An additional financial aspect is the possibility of integrating the ePark carport with a charger for electric cars. Charging an electric car from its own PV installation is a saving of the order of 5-7 PLN for every 100 km compared to charging from the mains, and as much as 15-20 PLN compared to the cost of fuel in an internal combustion car.

As you can see, the ePark carport is not only an ecological choice, but above all a wise financial decision that will pay off for decades. Can you afford to ignore such benefits?

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