If you want to buy a better solar self-consumption installation, you should do a preliminary exercise to find out about the different solar panels available and analyze your needs and how this system will help you save on energy every month.
- Find out how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you consume. Analyze your actual consumption and make a calculation - subtract the most recent figure for the last month. This will give you the average annual consumption.
- Analyze how electricity consumption is distributed. Once you know your annual consumption, it's important to understand how energy consumption is distributed, in order to know how much energy will be produced by the photovoltaic solar installation. Try to obtain an average value for the hours of lowest consumption and another for the hours of highest consumption.
- Check the power of your appliancesused at the same time. This type of data will help you check, for example, the output power of the inverter. The ideal is to balance the system so that it responds to peaks in consumption, but also so that it is not oversized when consumption is lower.
Once you've decided on the system you want to buy, thoroughly analyzed the offers and how much you'll save, you should consult a specialist who can visit the installation site, confirm your consumption profile and help you find the most suitable solution for your energy needs.
What is the price of the best self-consumption installation?
The price is related to the installation of the solar panels themselves, which range from €1,650 to €6,000. Depending on the power installed, you may need greater control from the regulatory authorities, which will require registration and licensing.
A UPAC with an installed capacity of up to 700 W does not require any registration or licensing, as long as the sale of solar energy is not planned, and is therefore exempt from any type of prior control.
Can I sell surplus energy to the grid?
Yes, you can sell surplus solar energy as long as you meet the necessary requirements. First of all, you must always have a solar self-consumption system installed and registered in your name, and production must be 350 W or more. Register with the DGEG, have a smart meter, your own CPE and open an activity with the Customs Tax Authority.
Photovoltaic self-consumption legislation to take into account
The legislation for self-consumption is laid down in Decree-Law 15/2022, and licensing involves different steps depending on the installed power.
- Up to 700 W of installed power: you don't need any prior checks, so all you have to do is ensure that your solar self-consumption system is properly installed.
- Between 700 W and 30 kW: you must register on the DGEG portal, and this registration goes to 'Autonconsumo' and 'Comunicação Prévia'.
- Between 30 kW and 1 MW: you must register in advance and obtain an Operating Certificate.
- More than 1 MW: in these cases, you need a Production License as well as an Exploration License.
Do I have to pay a fee for solar self-consumption?
There is no tax applied to solar self-consumption. However, there are costs associated with the administrative procedure, which vary depending on the power installed, as well as whether there is an intention to sell the surplus solar energy to the grid.
| Administrative Procedure | Power (kW) | Registration of UPACs with energy sales | Registration of UPACs without energy sales |
| Assessment of the registration request | Up to 30 kW | Exempt | Exempt |
| Between 30 kW and 100 kW | 200 € | 140 € | |
| Between 100 kW and 250 kW | 400 € | 240 € | |
| Between 250 kW and 1000 kW | 600 € | 400 € | |
| Assessment of the application for an operating certificate without DGEG inspection | Between 30 kW and 250 kW | 80 € | 80 € |
| Between 250 kW and 1000 kW | 120 € | 120 € | |
| Assessment of the application for an operating certificate with DGEG inspection | Between 30 kW and 250 kW | 240 € | 240 € |
| Between 250 kW and 1000 kW | 360 € | 360 € | |
| Request for registration of changes that do not require a new operating certificate | 50 € | 50 € | |
| Request for amendments requiring a new operating certificate | 70 € | 70 € | |
| Request for periodic inspection | 40 € | 40 € |
