Solar Pergolas VS. Solar Generators with Jackery

Solar pergolas are gaining popularity in generating solar energy when a rooftop is unsuitable or insufficient to meet a homeowner's or business owner's energy requirements. The project benefits from the best of both environments by suspending the solar array on a frame. With a power density of 18.8W per square foot, it will not squander space on your solar pergola.

If you have or plan to build a pergola, why not combine it with solar power? A solar pergola reduces your electric bill, is a unique and stylish home design option, and is a fun do-it-yourself project. This page explains what a solar pergola is, how it operates, and a solar pergola vs. a solar generator for a pergola. We recommend Jackery solar generators for efficiently powering your pergola and other indoor or outdoor appliances. Especially the Solar Generator 3000 Pro, it can power up to 99% of appliances with 3024Wh capacity.   

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
- 3024Wh high capacity to power 99% appliances   - Pull rod and double wheels - Smart APP control - Work in temperatures up to -20°C /-4°F - 5-Year long warranty

What is A Solar Pergola

A pergola is a roofed structure supported by four or more columns. In certain situations, it may be a good idea to mount solar panels on the excess roof space to supplement the home's energy consumption or as an outdoor off-grid solar system.

Pergola is a framework in the form of a passageway of columns that supports a trellis-work canopy; used to support and train climbing plants; employed to provide shade, particularly over a patio.

A solar pergola is merely a conventional pergola fitted with solar panels. The number of solar panels installed on a patio cover will depend on the size of the structure and the desired quantity of electricity produced.             

How Does A Solar Pergola Work

A solar pergola incorporates an incorporated solar system. These are mounted at an angle on top of the pergola to receive the maximum sunlight. Depending on the scale of your pergola, it can generate enough energy to power the property's elements or the entire property.

There are outdoor-rated string inverters, but micro inverters are preferable. These tiny devices are affixed to individual solar panels from behind and convert direct to alternating current. They are more efficient and handle shading more effectively.

Solar Pergolas VS. Solar Generators with Jackery

A pergola is an ideal, versatile addition to any backyard. It provides shade, ambiance, and a place for recreation. Solar panels can be mounted on the solar pergola for various solar applications.

Adding solar panels to the structure is possible if you already have a pergola in your backyard. Despite solar technology's decreasing cost over the past decade, a complete solar installation still requires a substantial investment. A consumer can expect to spend approximately $18,000 on an entire solar system for their residence.

However, a portable solar generator can solve all these solar panels' issues, including their reliance on sunlight, location dependence, and costly installation and maintenance costs. Like solar panels, solar generators produce pure, renewable energy that does not harm the environment.

Jackery is the market leader in manufacturing high-quality solar products, and its solar generators are top-rated. The SolarSaga solar panels and the Explorer power station are components of the Jackery solar generators. Connecting them with wires and cables is all required for the faultless conversion of sunlight to electricity.

Solar Pergolas

A solar pergola incorporates an incorporated solar system. These are mounted at an angle on top of the pergola to receive the maximum sunlight. Depending on the scale of your pergola, it can generate enough energy to power the property's elements or the entire property. There are two primary varieties of solar pergolas:

• Grid-Tied Solar Pergola:This solar pergola is connected to your residence's electrical grid. During the day, the solar panels will generate electricity that will be used to power your home. Any surplus energy will be sold to the utility for use by others.

• Off-Grid Solar Pergola:A solar pergola not connected to the electrical infrastructure is considered off-grid. Therefore, you will need a battery system to reserve any excess electricity generated. This option is viable if you reside in a remote area without access to the electrical grid.

Combining solar with a pergola can not only enhance your backyard and turn it into a habitable space, but it is often an investment that can pay for itself immediately with 100 percent financing and a payment that is less than the amount of electricity you save.

For starters, solar panels may need to be more weighty for the pergola's roof. Having them on top of this freestanding structure could also cause uplift issues; that is, they could be elevated and blown off the pergola's roof during a windstorm. These units can be connected to a solar system and cost approximately $7,000 for installation. This cost may be prohibitive for most homeowners. Solar batteries are essential to your solar panel system because they store excess energy generated by your solar panels. However, depending on the type and quantity of the battery, they can be expensive.   

Solar Generators for Pergola

The recovery period for solar panels will depend on the local cost of electricity, the number of incentives you receive, the amount of electricity your system generates, and the cost of the system. Sometimes the roof is unsuitable for a PV installation because it is antiquated, shaded, or lacks a suitable location for the array.

Solar generators are more reasonable and acceptable than panels for pergolas for powering your pergola, appliances, or residence. There is no need to install a hefty solar panel array on the pergola, minimizing the potential for damage. Installing a solar system for your home or pergola requires professional installation, post-installation maintenance, and a larger budget, but solar generators do not.   

Jackery always prioritizes safety and efficacy, so its solar generators are user-friendly, long-lasting,

and potent. Jackery manufactures solar generators of superior quality. We are a significant front in the fight against climate change by redefining the use of clean energy for outdoor living. All solar generators at Jackery are silent. And unlike gas generators, solar generators don't have any moving components. This drastically reduces the quantity of noise they generate while running.

The primary advantages of Jackery solar generators are that they operate on clean, renewable energy and require minimal maintenance. With a capacity of 3024Wh, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is ideal for pergola, residence, or off-grid use to power over 99% of appliances.

The power station can provide backup power and charge RVs and travel trailers. It can supplant your solar panels for powering your home appliances, such as your television, coffee maker, refrigerator, etc. When operating at temperatures between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius, the Explorer 3000 Pro will automatically modify its output power based on its remaining battery capacity.

Additionally, Solar Generator 2000 Pro is an excellent option for your residence. The enormous storage capacity of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is one of its most significant advantages. The lithium-ion batteries can store up to 2,160Wh of energy, which can be used to power standard domestic appliances and devices for extended periods. In conjunction with solar panels, the high-powered system can generate up to 4,400W.

How Much Solar Power A Solar Pergola Produce

To determine how much energy your solar pergola can generate, multiply the average quantity of peak sunlight in your region by the size of your solar panel system. Professional installers use a mean value of 4 kWh/m2/day for estimation purposes, even though this value differs by location.

Since 15* 100W solar panels would fit on a 12' x 12' pergola roof considering the solar system wattage, and a 100W solar panel can generate 400Wh per day at an average of 4 peak sun hours, the pergola could be powered by solar energy.  

Energy from 1500W solar is 6kW per day. For instance, if you reside in an area with 5 hours of peak sunlight and have a 6kW solar system, your pergola should produce approximately 33kWh per day, sufficient to power a standard home.

How Much Does A Solar Pergola Cost

It costs approximately $15 to $25 per linear foot to construct a pergola and roughly $3/Watt to install solar panels on a pergola. Depending on the dimensions, a basic pergola will cost around $5,000 to build, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Add this to the cost of solar panel installation, which, after tax credits for a 6kW solar system, is approximately $24,500.

However, compared to the high cost of solar pergolas, it is wise to choose solar generators to power home appliances with minimal cost.                    

Jackery Solar Generators - Best Alternatives for Solar Pergolas

Because of the high cost of construction and upkeep for a solar pergola, it is strongly recommended that you choose a solar generator to power your home with solar energy. The ability of Jackery solar generators to store energy for later use is one of their finest characteristics.

This means that when you use one, you will never have to concern about having sufficient sunlight to charge or use your devices. Instead, you can replenish your portable power station using solar panels whenever the sun is out. Then, you can use this capacity at any time, even at night.

Jackery is a global energy leader, the number one producer of portable power, and one of the world's largest manufacturers of outdoor solar utilities, with over nine years of experience in the industry.

Jackery solar generators are an all-in-one electricity source for your home, off-grid living, camping, and other outdoor activities. Because the sun's energy is nearly limitless and practically free, solar panels provide access to an infinite energy supply. Moreover, solar power is significantly more accessible remotely than diesel or petroleum. Solar energy will only be in limited supply once the sun shines.  

There are three charging options available for the power station. The first option is to attach it to solar panels, where the lithium-ion batteries can be recharged. You can plug the battery pack into any standard wall outlet for a speedier charge. If you do not have access to an AC wall outlet or it is too dark to use the solar panels, you can plug the device into a standard vehicle charging port as a last resort.

The Jackery solar generators are a safe and dependable option for those who wish to live off the grid or require emergency backup power. The power stations have dual protection chips to secure lithium-ion batteries and extend their lifespan. These processors aid the system in monitoring the battery during charging to prevent overcharging.  

Solar Pergola FAQs

These are the most frequently asked questions regarding solar pergolas:

1. What size of solar generator do I need?

When deciding how to power your home with solar energy, estimating the amperage of your home's energy consumption and selecting solar generators of the appropriate size is essential. Typically, household appliances such as illumination, television, air conditioner, and heater consume between 200W and 3kW. Consequently, selecting a Jackery solar generator following your requirements is significantly more essential.

Here's how to determine how long the Jackery solar generator will take to charge your household appliances:

Working hours = solar generator capacity * 0.85 / wattage of household appliances

For example, take the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro (3024Wh capacity) to power your home (2000W). The working hours are equal to 1.3 hours (3024Wh*0.85/2000W).

2. How many solar panels do I need for my pergola?

Pergolas come in various sizes and shapes, so the number of solar panels you can place on top of it may vary. The limitation may not be the scale of your system but rather its weight: a pergola is not designed to support heavy loads on its own. The average solar panel weighs between 35 and 70 pounds. The weight per square foot can vary between 2 and 3 kilograms.

If you have a specific duty, such as recharging multiple batteries, you should calculate this from the battery capacity in watt-hours as follows:

- Battery capacity at 50% discharge, which is 1200Wh

- On average, a 100-watt solar panel generates 300Wh per day

- Number of solar panels required = 1200/300Wh = 4 x 100 = 400W

To ensure that my batteries recharge within a day, I will need four 100-watt solar panels to construct my solar charging station. Before adding panels to an aging pergola, it may be necessary to reinforce the structure.  

Final Thoughts

As long as the structure can support the additional weight of solar panels, a solar pergola is an effective way to reduce the cost of electricity bills and increase the value of your home. The construction of a solar pergola will cost approximately $5,000, with solar system costs ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the size. Therefore, Jackery solar generators are more practical for powering your home appliances, as they are inexpensive, do not require professional installation, and require no additional maintenance.