Comparison · Power
Solar vs mains gate automation: sized for a Surrey winter, not a brochure
Solar gate automation genuinely works in the UK for low-cycle entrances — up to roughly 10–15 openings a day in winter with a properly sized panel and battery. Beyond that, or for video intercoms and heavy leaves, a mains supply wins even when trenching costs £600–£1,200. The decision is arithmetic: winter solar yield versus your real daily cycle count.
The winter arithmetic nobody shows you
A UK December delivers roughly 0.5–0.8 kWh per kW of panel per day — about a sixth of June. Size for December or the system fails in December. Worked example for a 24V swing pair:
| Item | Draw / yield | Winter daily total |
|---|---|---|
| Standby draw (control board, receiver) | ~2–5W continuous | 48–120 Wh/day |
| Per cycle (open + close, pair) | ~8–15 Wh | 10 cycles ≈ 80–150 Wh |
| Daily winter budget required | — | ~130–270 Wh |
| 80W panel, December yield | ~40–65 Wh/day | Deficit — battery drains over days |
| 160–200W panel, December yield | ~80–160 Wh/day | Marginal-to-adequate with 100Ah battery |
Conclusion: the £150 "solar kit" panels sold with budget automation are summer toys. Real UK solar automation means 150–200W of panel, 100Ah+ of battery, low-standby control gear — and an honest cycle budget.
When each option wins
- Solar wins: field and paddock gates, long rural drives where trenching runs £1,500+, low-cycle second entrances, listed curtilages where excavation is unwelcome. Installed solar packages: £900–£1,800 on top of the automation.
- Mains wins: family entrances above ~15 winter cycles/day, anything running a video intercom (continuous draw), heavy or hydraulic gates, and any site where the trench is under ~30m — at which point the cable is usually cheaper than proper solar anyway.
- The hybrid worth knowing: mains supply with the 24V system's battery backup gives power-cut resilience without solar's winter anxiety — our standard recommendation when the trench is feasible.
Installation notes that make solar succeed
Panel orientation due south at 35–45° tilt, mounted clear of hedge shading (surveyed at winter sun angles, not summer); batteries in a ventilated enclosure with temperature-compensated charging; LED courtesy lights only; and a cycle-count review at the first annual service to confirm the budget held. We install solar gladly where the arithmetic works — and we show you the arithmetic first.
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Frequently asked questions
Does solar gate automation work in UK winter?
Yes, when sized for December yield rather than the annual average — realistically 150–200W of panel and 100Ah of battery for a typical pair at 10–15 cycles/day. Undersized kits work until November, then stop.
How much does solar gate automation cost?
Add £900–£1,800 to the automation cost for a properly sized package. Compare that against your actual trenching quote before deciding — under 30m of run, mains usually wins.
Can I run an intercom on solar?
A GSM audio intercom, yes with margin. Video intercoms draw continuously and generally push a solar budget past viability — the honest answer is mains or a dedicated survey.