Rooftop vs Ground-Mount Solar: Which Is Right for You?

Before investing in solar, every property owner asks the same question: how long until this pays back? This guide uses real Antalya data to give you a clear, honest answer.

Why Antalya Is One of Europe's Best Solar Locations

Antalya receives over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and has a solar energy yield of 1,550-1,600 kWh per kWp installed. To put this in perspective, London averages 800 kWh/kWp and Berlin 1,000 kWh/kWp. In Antalya, your solar investment works nearly twice as hard as it would in Northern Europe.

Step-by-Step Payback Calculation

Let's calculate for a typical 10 kWp rooftop system (2026 figures):

• Installation cost: 130,000 TRY
• Annual production: 10 kWp x 1,550 kWh/kWp = 15,500 kWh
• Electricity price: 3.50 TRY/kWh (average 2026 residential)
• Annual saving: 15,500 x 3.50 = 54,250 TRY
• Payback period: 130,000 / 54,250 = 2.4 years

With a 25-year system lifespan, the remaining 22+ years deliver over 1,190,000 TRY in cumulative savings — a remarkable return on investment.

Factors That Affect Payback

• Electricity tariff type: Commercial (industrial) tariffs are typically higher than residential, shortening payback for businesses to 4-5 years
• Self-consumption rate: Consuming your own solar production is more valuable than exporting to the grid
• Financing cost: Cash purchases have the shortest payback; bank financing adds interest costs
• Panel orientation: South-facing roofs maximise yield; east/west-facing may reduce production by 15-20%

Real Client Example

A villa owner in Alanya installed a 15 kWp system in 2024:

• Installation cost: 185,000 TRY
• Year 1 production: 23,250 kWh
• Year 1 bill saving: 81,375 TRY
• Calculated payback: 2.3 years

Conclusion

Antalya's solar payback period is among the shortest in Europe — typically 2-4 years for residential systems and 4-6 years for commercial. With panels lasting 25-30 years, you enjoy two decades of near-free electricity after breakeven. Use our savings calculator to estimate your personal payback, or contact us for a detailed feasibility report.