Solar Awnings Generate Power and Shade

Solar awnings deliver up to 1.8 kW of clean electricity while shielding you from the sun

Solar Markise, a German startup, has launched the SolarMarkise – a roll‑out photovoltaic awning that produces 1.35 kW (size M) or 1.8 kW (size L) of electricity. The product is marketed for residential and commercial self‑consumption, turning a typical shade structure into a small power plant.

Technical specs: size, output, efficiency and durability

The M model measures 3.51 m × 3 m and weighs 77 kg; the L version is 4.35 m × 3 m and weighs 100 kg. Both use rollable solar fabric on aluminium frames, provide 100 % UV protection, are fully waterproof, and can resist wind forces up to force 5. The fabric modules each deliver 450 W at 15 % efficiency and are built with monocrystalline cells. A 10‑year product warranty backs the panels. The awnings are registered as photovoltaic balcony power plants, limiting grid feed‑in to 800 W, but the design encourages on‑site consumption.

Cost and economics: price premium versus long‑term savings

SolarMarkise M is priced at €4,499 and L at €5,499 – a 10 %‑15 % premium over high‑quality conventional awnings, according to CEO Eugen Mangazeev. While the upfront cost is higher than a standard awning, the electricity generated can offset that cost over time; the exact payback period depends on local electricity prices, consumption patterns and any applicable incentives.

Market rollout: pilots, target customers and expansion plans

The first pilots were installed in spring at a café in Cologne, where two awnings have been operating since April, providing shade for outdoor seating while powering the venue directly. Additional sites in Essen and Düsseldorf are being prepared. Solar Markise is focusing on restaurants, awning retailers, solar installers and architects as primary customers, and plans to expand across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Longer‑term product road‑maps include solar roller shutters, retractable awnings and solar‑powered parasols.

What it means for Israel: a realistic payback scenario using local tariffs

If a similar 1.35 kW awning were installed in central Israel, the typical annual yield of 1,700 kWh / kWp would translate to roughly 2,300 kWh / year of electricity. At the residential feed‑in tariff of ₪0.48 / kWh, that energy would be worth about ₪1,100 / year. Using the representative turnkey cost of ₪3,150 / kWp, a 1.35 kW system would cost around ₪4,250 to install. Even with a modest price premium compared with a standard rooftop installation, the payback could be achieved within a few years, well within the typical 25‑year system lifetime.

Outlook: flexible shading could accelerate rooftop solar adoption

Solar Markise’s approach merges two needs—shade and electricity—into a single product, potentially lowering the perceived barrier to solar adoption. As cities seek to increase renewable electricity share (Israel targets 30 % by 2030), integrating solar generation into everyday structures like awnings could add significant distributed capacity without requiring extra roof space. The upcoming line‑up of solar shutters and parasols hints at a broader market for flexible solar panels that blend into the built environment.

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Sources: information from the company’s datasheet and interview with CEO Eugen Mangazeev reported by pv‑magazine.