With a solar system, homeowners can become more independent from the energy market and make a valuable contribution to climate protection. Self-generated electricity is particularly worthwhile if most of it is used by the homeowner. To ensure that the investment does not cause financial bottlenecks, every possible saving opportunity should be used when purchasing and financing.
1. Solar, solar thermal or photovoltaic system?
There is often confusion about the terms used to generate energy using solar energy. To clarify: Solar systems refer to systems that generate electrical energy as well as systems that convert solar energy into thermal energy.
Photovoltaic systems are used to generate electrical energy. Solar thermal systems are used to generate thermal energy or heat. In the linked articles you will find further details and videos explaining the functionality of the systems.
2. The costs of solar systems
The price range for solar systems is large, as the individual costs depend on various factors, including the output, the roof area and the funding options. For example, a small photovoltaic system with 5.5 kilowatt peak (kWp) and an area of less than 30 square meters is significantly cheaper than a powerful model with 13 kWp and an area of over 60 square meters.
Prices between just under 7,000 and 15,000 euros are common for photovoltaic systems for single-family homes. The small example system mentioned here costs over 15,000 euros in a turnkey version including installation. For the large model, the prices can double. If an energy storage system is added, homeowners should expect to pay at least 6,000 euros extra.
In order to compare the prices of different providers, interested parties need the price per kWp. The following table provides information on the average Net costs for photovoltaic systems and is intended to serve as a guide:
We have already discussed the costs in detail in our article on the prices of solar thermal systems. A household of four should expect to pay around 5,000 euros for a solar system for generating hot water for four to six square meters of collector area. This includes the installation costs and a solar storage tank.
Financing solar systems
Purchasing a solar system is a sensible investment in the long term. Financing means that even those who do not have sufficient reserves can afford it. A typical option for financing is so-called Modernization loans Since these are usually granted by traditional building societies, the selection is limited and not every household can meet the creditworthiness requirements.
3. Consider online loans as an alternative
Property owners with a negative Schufa entry may be faced with a loan rejection when financing solar systems at traditional banks. Before potential borrowers rely on dubious offers from abroad that promise loans without a Schufa credit check, it is worth taking a look at loan brokers with alternative online loans. Among them are the auxmoney personal loanfor which over 300 characteristics, including Schufa, are used for the preliminary credit check. The Schufa score alone does not determine creditworthiness, so a negative entry in the credit agency does not necessarily mean the end of solar system financing.
- It is therefore important to find the best financing solution for your personal situation.
- The effective annual interest rate is the best comparison feature for loans.
- It reflects the credit costs and allows objective comparison.
We will explain further financing options for photovoltaic systems here in detail.
4. Subsidies for solar systems
Before buying or financing, homeowners should find out about the possible subsidies. State subsidies can be obtained, for example, from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). One of the best-known subsidized loans for electricity and heat is the loan 270 “Renewable Energies – Standard”. It is granted with an effective annual interest rate starting at 3.80 percent.
The state funding institute of the respective federal state is, among others, responsible for subsidies for photovoltaic systems.
5. State database helps with the search
A practical tool for researching suitable funding programs is the Database of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK)If you enter “solar thermal energy” in the search field, for example, the database will automatically identify more than a dozen funding programs. By clicking on the relevant offer, you will receive further information and contact details for the contact person.
Source photographs 1 to 3: moerschy, JoseMalagonArenas and ulleo /pixabay.com