The costs of photovoltaic: everything you need to know

Photovoltaic systems are increasingly widespread, both in domestic and industrial environments. In our dedicated guide, you have already discovered the costs of the most common types of systems. However, there are also a number of hidden costs which are often not communicated and, as a result, do not appear in standard estimates.

These additional expenses can have a significant impact on the overall investment needed to install and operate a photovoltaic system. Knowing them is essential to evaluate with greater awareness if the proposal you have received is really advantageous.

In this guide, GridShare will analyze all the less obvious costs associated with photovoltaic, such as ordinary and extraordinary maintenance, insurance, and dismantling costs. In addition, we will explore a simpler and more efficient alternative to avoid surprises and optimize your investment.

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Installation cost

As far as the installation costs of a photovoltaic system are concerned, these are linked to several factors. Starting from the type of system, which can be the classic system with solar panels on the roof or a system with balcony panels, suitable if you want to take advantage of renewable energy without having to incur a significant expense.

Other factors that affect installation costs are the size and power of the system, the structures necessary for assembly and the greater or lesser accessibility of the area in which to install the solar panels.

When you request a quote for a photovoltaic system, remember to also ask that these costs are clearly understood and detailed.

The installation costs of a photovoltaic system depend on several factors, which can significantly affect the final cost.

One of the main elements is the type of plant: you can choose between a classic system with solar panels installed on the roof, ideal for those with adequate space, or a balcony system, a more compact and accessible solution, perfect for those who want to take advantage of renewable energy with a smaller initial investment.

Other determinants include:

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When you request a quote, make sure that all these aspects are clearly specified, with a precise detail of the costs. This will allow you to better evaluate the investment and avoid unexpected expenses.

Ordinary maintenance

After installing your photovoltaic system, you absolutely cannot forget the need for timely and precise routine maintenance. Some operations you can carry out independently, while for others you must necessarily contact specialized professionals.

In particular, it is always necessary to:

1. Ensure a thorough cleaning photovoltaic panels, to be carried out using specific cleaning products;

2. Verify the anchoring systems of the installation: in particular the bolts and the supporting structures of the panels;

3. Check theintegrity of the panels: at regular intervals and following major weather events (such as hail), which can damage its integrity.

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Extraordinary maintenance

In addition to routine maintenance, you must take into account some extraordinary maintenance. In particular, there are components of the system that must be replaced before the end of the average life (20-25 years), as happens with the inverter, which loses efficiency over time and must be replaced on average every 10 years.

In addition, you must consider that you may find yourself replacing damaged panels: in fact, even a small crack is enough to limit the efficiency of the system. In addition, cracks can widen, especially during winter, due to ice formation, until the surface of the panel is completely broken.

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Insurance

The damage caused to a photovoltaic system can cost you dearly: and the same can happen if it is your system that causes damage to third parties. For this reason, when installing the system itself, it is necessary to take out insurance that will protect you from expenses and liabilities.

There are many alternatives available, including online: however, it is important to choose a policy that covers the damage suffered by the plant (such as those caused by weather events or even by third parties) and those that the system itself may cause to things or people (such as in the case of a short circuit and fire).

This way you can have full coverage and not risk having to shell out even very large amounts in case of problems involving your photovoltaic system.

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Dismantling and end of life costs

It can happen due to an accidental breakage or because the system has now reached the end of its life and has largely lost its efficiency: surely, sooner or later, the time will come when you will have to dispose of, in whole or in part, your photovoltaic system.

Obviously you will not be able to treat the various components as simple household waste: in fact, photovoltaic modules are WEEE waste, i.e. waste from electrical and electronic equipment, whose disposal procedures are regulated by Legislative Decree number 49/2014.

The costs and obligations related to disposal are borne either by the owner or the manufacturer depending on:

1. It's about modules for domestic systems or professional;

2. In the case of professional modules, were installed before or after 2014;

3. These are modules installed thanks to incentives provided by the Energy Bill of the GSE.

In any case, it is important to inform yourself precisely about the procedure to follow for the disposal of your photovoltaic system: the safest solution is to rely on a specialized company, which carries out the disposal and follows all the related paperwork.

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How to understand efficiency levels and maintain them over time

If you want your photovoltaic system to always produce as much energy as possible, you must necessarily monitor efficiency levels. There are kits that allow you to do them, normally consisting of a control unit, which must be connected to the system and controls the operation of the various elements, in particular inverters, strings and modules, in order to evaluate the energy actually produced. A dedicated software or app allows you to remotely control all this data.

Proper maintenance, ordinary and extraordinary, is however necessary to maintain the efficiency levels of your photovoltaic system for the longest time.

The stress-free alternative

If the “hidden” costs of photovoltaic make you doubt the choice to install a system, there is a very simple and interesting alternative: investing with GridShare in remote photovoltaic.

GridShare is a platform through which you can invest in shared solar projects: you don't have to worry about anything and your investment will lead to an income destined to grow over time, as well as to promote the country's ecological transition. You can find out more on the site.

Knowing the “hidden” costs of photovoltaic allows you to understand if this is the most suitable solution for you: thanks to GridShare you can have a clear picture of the expenses to be faced and choose wisely.