When (And Why) To Choose a Solar-Powered Gate

With automatic driveway gates, you can do practically whatever you want as long as you have the budget.

While solar-powered driveway gate openers have a cost, it’s not prohibitive and only financially accessible to some.

Everyone who chooses to install an automatic driveway gate can afford a solar-powered gate opener too.

But why would you make that decision?

Learn the key considerations below:

Save on Your Utility Bills

Solar power for gates has the same primary advantage that solar power has everywhere else: it reduces your electricity costs.

You just can’t beat solar power when it comes to reducing your electric bill.

The Same Cost as Standard Electric Gate Openers

No joke here. While the solar panels you put on your home cost as much as a new car, a solar gate operator costs roughly the same as a standard electric gate operator.

If you go for a higher-end option, that can cost more. But you’re really only looking at $100 - $200, and not a small fortune.

In many cases, you’ll actually end up spending less on a solar gate operator.

Pay less for more savings? You bet!

Easy to Install

You don’t have to be a technical genius to install a solar gate operator. It is something that you can DIY. Manufacturers create kits and offer customer service to help you do it on your own.

But, it may not be something you want to do yourself.

A solar gate operator is certainly something any professional contractor can easily install.

So, that means installation costs aren’t high.

Government Incentives Reduce Installation Costs

Not only is it easy to install solar gate operators, but the government will pay you a little to do it too.

Yes. Just like a solar panel system for your home, the government also offers tax breaks and financial incentives when you install a solar gate opener.

You’ll get a significant percentage off the gate opener’s cost.

No Sacrifice in Operating Performance

As long as your gate opener gets sufficient sunlight throughout the year, you won’t notice any change in your gate’s performance.

That means it will open and close as many times as you want and at the same speed every time.

If your property doesn’t get the sunlight it needs throughout the year, performance can be compromised. Or, it may mean you shouldn’t install a solar-powered gate opener (more on that below).

Plenty of Options with Numerous Features Available

You don’t sacrifice anything when you choose a solar-powered gate operator.

They can open with keypads or be operated with a remote. They open and close as fast as you could possibly want so you’re not sitting around waiting for your gate to open.

Some come with special technology that closes the gate with lesser force, just in case your car, a family member, or maybe a pet obstructs the gate while closing.

They can come designed to handle pretty intense weather conditions.

You just have to analyze your own situation, talk it over with your contractor, and then make your choice.

Do Your Part to Be Green

Using electricity from the grid means you’re contributing to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Much of the electricity from the grid comes from coal or natural gas power plants.

But when you install a solar-powered gate operator, you use the sun as an energy source and don’t release any greenhouse gases.

Will a Solar-Powered Gate Opener Actually Work on Your Property?

This is really the primary concern when it comes to solar gate openers because not every property gets enough sunlight to make one work 365 days per year.

First, understand how solar gate operators work at a basic level. They have a solar panel which gathers sunlight and converts it to usable electricity.

This electricity then gets stored in a standard 12-volt or 24-volt DC battery.

So yes, your gate can operate during the night or evening when the sun is low or not shining at all.

But, the concern lies in how much sun your solar collector can collect during the day. If it can’t get all the sunlight it needs, and you need to use your gate frequently, you may notice your gate opening slower...or not at all.

The weight of your gate also requires consideration. The heavier your gate, the more electricity it needs to open. So, your solar gate operator needs to have the right “weight rating” to operate.

How Can You Be Sure Your Gate Will Get The Electricity It Needs?

You can do a few things to address this potential problem. First, you can make sure your gate is installed with the ability to open manually so you can open your gate if electricity is low.

You can also install both a standard battery-powered gate operator and a solar-powered opener. Then, you simply switch between the two as needed throughout the year.

Alternatively, you can have your gate installation company do a “solar property survey.”

It’s not enough to just study how much sunlight you get over a couple of days. That doesn’t factor in the sun’s availability at different times during the year.

So, you really have to analyze how much electricity your gate will need to open, and the sun’s positioning throughout the year. That way, you can be sure that the electricity you need for your gate to open will be available.

You might also learn that a solar-powered gate opener isn’t a good option for your property too. But, at least you’ll know. And you’ll also be sure that your gate will open, even if it’s not solar-powered.

Where Do You Find Solar Gate Operators?

If you want to learn more about solar gate openers, their features, and what you like and don’t like, finding information on them is easy.

Just go to Google or even Amazon. Make sure you read plenty of reviews.

Or, talk to your gate installation professional about options they recommend and then do your own further research.

All in all, you really don’t lose with solar gate openers as long as you do your research and choose a quality product!