Pergola Costs and Financing — An Investor's Guide
Cost structure of bioclimatic pergola
The basic construction of a pergola is the largest part of the cost of the entire system. In the case of premium pergolas such as Solar Breaker PRO, we are talking about an advanced aluminum construction with 15x15 cm profiles and a unique system of double axis of rotation of the slats. These elements account for about 40-50% of the value of the basic version of the system.
The second key cost element is drive and automation. The advanced lamella control motors, together with the control unit and the control system through the application, are another 15-20% of the system value. In the case of the solar version, the cost increases due to the use of special photovoltaic lamellas - however, this additional investment later translates into real savings on electricity bills.
An important element affecting the price is also the side shutters. The ZIP screen system with high-quality technical fabrics is an expenditure of the order of 10-15% of the basic value of the pergola for each wall. However, it is worth remembering that it is these elements that ensure the full functionality of the pergola in different weather conditions.
The final price is also affected by:
- Pergola dimensions - the larger the area, the higher the cost
- Selected accessories (LED lighting, heaters, audio system)
- Construction color (all colors are the same price)
- Mounting method (freestanding or wall-mounted)
- Transportation and installation
For example, the basic Solar Breaker PRO pergola with dimensions of 4.5 x 5 m costs from 31 000 to 68 000 zł, depending on the selected configuration. The solar version will be more expensive by about 15-20%, however, this difference can be significantly reduced by available subsidies and tax breaks.
It is also important to take into account additional costs such as:
- Substrate preparation (if required)
- Wiring the electrical system
- Possible adaptation work
- Periodic inspections and maintenance
Remember that in the case of a premium pergola such as Solar Breaker, the price includes elements that in other manufacturers represent additional costs:
- Control unit with full automation
- App for iOS and Android
- LED lighting in crown profiles
- Synchronous Actuator System
- 5-year warranty
[Read more about premium pergola equipment → Art. 13]
Did you know that... Unlike many competing solutions, Solar Breaker pergolas come standard with LED lighting in the crown and a full automation system. At other manufacturers, these items can increase the base price by up to 30%!
My Current 6.0 program for solar pergolas
If you are considering buying a solar pergola, I have great news - you can take advantage of funding under the My Current 6.0 program. This is an essential support that can significantly reduce the cost of your investment. Let's take a closer look at how it works.
The My Power 6.0 program treats the solar pergola as a photovoltaic microinstallation, which opens up a number of funding opportunities. For the Solar Breaker PRO pergola in the solar version, you can get two forms of support:
The first part of the subsidy concerns the photovoltaic installation itself. For a system with a capacity of about 3 kWp (typical power for a pergola 4.5 x 5m) you can receive a subsidy of 7000 zł. This is a non-refundable support that you receive after the investment is completed and the relevant application is submitted.
The second part concerns the energy storage, which is especially recommended for a solar pergola. The program offers an additional PLN 16,000 for the purchase and installation of an energy storage facility. This solution allows you to use the energy produced by the pergola more efficiently, storing the surplus for use in the evening or on cloudy days.
The conditions for receiving the grant are as follows:
- The installation must be connected to the power grid
- The power of the installation must be adapted to the needs of the building
- The system must be new and meet current technical standards
- Installation must be done by a certified installer
The process for applying for a grant is as follows:
- Purchase and installation of a solar pergola with a photovoltaic system
- Signing a contract with a power plant
- Obtaining a certificate from the Distribution Network Operator
- Submission of an application through the NFOŚiGW Beneficiary Portal
- Verification of the application by NFOŚiGW
- Receiving a grant (usually within 4-6 weeks)
Required documentation includes:
- Invoice for the purchase and installation of the system
- Installation acceptance protocol
- OSD certificate of connection to the network
- Certificates of used components
- Statement of the installer on the correct installation
Importantly, our team helps with the preparation of all documentation and guides you through the application process. You don't have to worry about formalities — we'll take care of it for you.
[Learn more about the technical aspects of the photovoltaic system in the pergola → Art. 14] [See how the energy storage increases the efficiency of the system → Art. 41]
Did you know that... The combination of the My Current 6.0 grant with the thermal modernization relief can reduce the final cost of a solar pergola by up to 50%? This makes a high-tech solar pergola can cost as much as a basic pergola without photovoltaic features!
Thermomodernization relief for solar pergola
In addition to the My Power grant, the solar pergola is also eligible for the thermomodernization allowance. This is a solution that allows you to further reduce the cost of investment by deducting part of the expenses from the tax. Let's take a look at how exactly this solution works and how you can use it.
The thermo-modernization allowance allows you to deduct from the tax base expenses incurred on installations that reduce the energy demand of the building. In the case of a solar pergola, you can deduct not only the cost of the photovoltaic panels themselves, but also the elements of the system necessary for their functioning.
The maximum amount you can deduct as part of the relief is PLN 53,000. Assuming a 32% tax rate, real savings can amount to as much as PLN 16,960. Importantly, if you do not use the entire amount of the deduction in a given tax year (for example, due to too low income), you can continue the deduction in subsequent years, for a maximum of 6 years after the first expense was incurred.
In the case of a solar pergola, the following are deductible:
- Cost of lamella-integrated photovoltaic modules
- Control and automation system related to photovoltaics
- Energy storage (if installed)
- Installation costs of photovoltaic elements
- Design and technical documentation for photovoltaic part
For the settlement of the relief you will need the following documents:
- VAT invoice for the purchase of a pergola with the separated costs of the photovoltaic system
- Confirmation of payment (bank transfer)
- Technical documentation confirming the parameters of the system
- Installation acceptance protocol
- Certificates and approvals of the components used
The process of calculating the allowance itself is relatively simple. When filing your annual tax return, you fill out the PIT/O attachment, where you show the expenses incurred. You can do it yourself or use the help of an accountant. We also provide support at this stage - we will prepare all the necessary documents for you with the appropriate cost breakdown.
It is worth planning the settlement of the relief even before buying a pergola. This will allow you to optimally distribute expenses and make the most of the available limit. If you are planning other thermal modernization investments (for example, installing a heat pump or replacing windows), it is worth coordinating them temporarily with the installation of a solar pergola.
Total investment cost after grants
Now that we have discussed the forms of support available, let's take a look at what the total cost of investing in a solar pergola looks like in practice. Let's analyze the different scenarios and see how much you will realistically have to pay after taking into account all subsidies and allowances.
Take as an example a standard solar pergola measuring 4.5 x 5 meters. Such a pergola generates about 3.2 kWp of energy and is equipped with basic accessories such as LED lighting and ZIP shutters on two walls. The initial cost of such a configuration is about 68,000 PLN. Added to this is an energy storage of PLN 15,000, which gives a total amount of PLN 83,000.
Now let's analyze the available forms of support:
- Program My Current 6.0:
- Subsidy for photovoltaic installation: 7 000 PLN
- Subsidy for energy storage: PLN 16,000 Total support: PLN 23,000
- Thermomodernization relief:
- Possibility to deduct part of the costs related to photovoltaics
- With a 32% tax rate, the savings can amount to around PLN 8,000
After taking into account all forms of support, the real cost of the investment may amount to approximately PLN 52,000. This means a saving of around PLN 31,000 compared to the initial price.
It is worth considering different options for financing the remaining amount:
Option 1: One-off payment
- Lowest total cost
- The ability to start saving on your bills faster
- Requires accumulation of a larger initial amount
Option 2: Installment financing
- Spread the cost over 24-60 months
- Monthly installment may be lower than savings on bills
- Slightly higher total cost due to interest
Option 3: Leasing (for companies)
- Possibility of including installments in operating costs
- Tax Optimization
- No need to invest a lot of capital to start
For a better illustration, let's analyze an example payment schedule for the installment system:
- Initial deposit: 10% of the value (approximately PLN 5,200)
- Monthly installments for 48 months: about PLN 1,100
- Possibility of early repayment without additional costs
Return on investment
Buying a solar pergola is not just an expense - it is above all an investment that will bring tangible benefits for many years to come. Let's analyze exactly how quickly your investment will pay off and what savings you can achieve in the long term.
Let's start with the basic savings on electricity bills. A standard 4.5 x 5 meter solar pergola generates about 3.2 kWp of power. At current electricity prices (about PLN 1,2/kWh), the annual production of such an installation can bring savings of the order of PLN 4,000-5,000. But that's not all - a bioclimatic pergola offers additional sources of savings that are worth knowing about.
Significant savings come from reducing air conditioning costs in the summer. The intelligent control system of the slats and shutters ZIP effectively regulates the temperature under the pergola and in the adjacent rooms. In practice, this can mean a reduction in cooling costs by up to 60-70% in the summer season. With a standard single-family house, this translates into additional savings of PLN 1,500-2,000 per year.
Let's take a look at what the return on investment looks like over time:
Year 1-3:
- Savings on electricity bills: 12 000-15 000 PLN
- Reduction of air conditioning costs: PLN 4,500-6,000
- Total savings: PLN 16,500-21,000
Years 4-6:
- Savings on electricity bills: PLN 24,000-30,000
- Reduction of air conditioning costs: 9 000-12 000 PLN
- Total savings: PLN 33,000-42,000
Assuming that the final cost of the pergola after subsidies amounted to about PLN 52,000, the full return on investment will occur in a period of 7-8 years. This is a very good result, given that:
- The system is backed by a 25-year guarantee for energy production
- Pergola significantly increases the value of the property
- You gain additional, comfortable living space
It is also worth mentioning other financial benefits:
- Protecting against future increases in energy prices
- Possibility of selling surplus energy to the grid
- Lower insurance costs due to high weather resistance
- Lower maintenance costs compared to traditional canopies
[Learn more about the microclimate control system → Art. 13] [See how to optimize energy production → Art. 41]
Did you know that... Solar Breaker's double axis lamella rotation system increases energy production by up to 15% compared to standard solutions? This is because the lamellas can be precisely aligned with the sun, maximizing energy yield at any time of the day.
Financing the purchase
The decision to purchase a solar pergola is a serious investment that requires a thoughtful approach to financing. Let's analyze the available options that will allow you to choose the best solution tailored to your financial situation.
The first and most advantageous option is cash payment. When buying for cash, you can count on an additional discount, as well as start the installation process faster. However, not everyone has the right amount at once - so it is worth knowing the alternative solutions.
Factory financing is an option that we offer in cooperation with trusted financial institutions. The Solar Breaker installment program allows you to spread the cost of your purchase into convenient installments, up to 60 months. Importantly, the monthly installment may be lower than the savings on electricity bills that you will start generating right after installation. For example, with an amount of PLN 52,000 (after subsidies), the monthly installment can amount to about PLN 1,100, while the monthly energy savings are about PLN 400-500 plus additional savings on air conditioning during the summer season.
A bank loan is another possibility. Many banks offer special “green loans” for investments in renewable energy sources. Their main advantages are:
- Lower interest rate than standard loans
- Possibility to extend the repayment period
- Often no additional security
- Simplified award procedure
For entrepreneurs, a particularly attractive option may be leasing. In this case, you can count the leasing installments as part of the cost of doing business, which translates into real tax savings. In addition, leasing offers:
- Minimum own contribution (often as low as 5%)
- Possibility to buy a pergola after the end of the contract
- Flexible repayment terms
- Preservation of the financial liquidity of the company
Regardless of the chosen form of financing, it is always worth paying attention to:
- Real Annual Interest Rate (APR)
- Possibility of early repayment without additional costs
- Flexibility in adjusting the repayment schedule
- Additional fees and commissions
Our team of consultants will help you analyze all available options and choose the most favorable solution. We will prepare a detailed simulation for each variant, taking into account your financial situation and repayment preferences.
[See how to make the most of available grants → Article 41] [See sample projects and their costs → Article 27]
Did you know that... With Solar Breaker factory financing, the first installment is paid only after the installation is complete and the system is up and running? Thanks to this, you can be sure that you start paying installments only when the system already generates savings for you.
Solar Pergolas
