Solar-Powered Driveway Gates That Are Cost-Effective

Solar-Powered Driveway Gates

• Purchasing and installing solar-powered driveway gates are the biggest costs. Back-up batteries require occasional replacement; but because most energy is derived from the sun, the gates do not impact your utility bill. However, whether these gates end up being cost-effective depends on your location. If you live in an area with plenty of sun and no trees or other large structures that shadow the driveway, you won't have to replace the batteries as frequently. Traffic also contributes to costs. Batteries in gates not operated constantly last longer.

Best Options

• In order for a residential solar-powered driveway gate to be cost-effective, the gates should not open and close more than 15 times on an average day. It should not require an additional communications system, which depletes the battery. If you live in a remote area, either off the grid or with frequent power failures, the solar-powered option for your driveway gate may be not only the most cost-effective but the most practical.

Things to Consider

• More sunlight charges the batteries while less sunlight or heavy gate use depletes the batteries. If your driveway doesn't receive a lot of sunlight, you'll have to install larger solar panels, along with additional batteries to make the gates work, which will reduce their cost-effectiveness. The larger the system, the greater the cost. Single and dual solar-powered gate openers are available. At the time of publication, models ranged in price from approximately $750 to $2,500 and up.

Federal Tax Credits

• While many Internal Revenue Service solar energy tax credits expire at the end of 2011, that does not hold true for the federal residential energy efficient property credit, which does not expire until 2016. Homeowners may deduct up to 30 percent of the cost of installing qualified alternative energy products, including solar-powered driveway gates. Additional state incentives may also be available. Find out from your dealer if you are eligible for these tax credits, which make these gates cost-effective.