Solar Power Systems - Solar panels installer since 1994
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Or visit our shop on the Calpe-Moraira coastal-road!
How do grid-connected solar panels work?
Solar panels harness the energy from sunlight to generate electricity that is used to power all of the systems and devices inside your home. If the solar panels do not generate enough electricity to meet the demand of your home, such as during the night, additional electricity will be drawn from the main power grid. If the solar panels generate more electricity than your home requires, the excess energy will be returned to the main power grid.
Why choose Solar Power Systems?
In 1994, we began on the Costa Blanca with one mission: Taking advantage of the region’s abundant sunshine.
- We have been installing solar panels on the Costa Blanca since 1994, and have gained a reputation as a household name in the region with over 30.000 clients.
- We are a professional and certified installer and have not recently added this service to capitalise on the growing popularity of solar panels in Spain.
- We install solar panel systems, our main business, heat pumps, pool heating and air conditioning.
- Our electricians and installers are FEMPA certified and all have a minimum of 500 installations worth of experience.
- Since the cancellation of the “impuesto del sol” (solar tax) in 2019, we have installed more than 1,500 grid-connected solar panel systems in the area, making us the market leader and most experienced solar panel installer on the Costa Blanca.
- Our solar panel systems come with all necessary paperwork including all necessary certificates and permits.
- We are fluent in Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish.
- Our solar panel systems come with all necessary documentation to apply for a IBI (property tax) discount.
- We provide nuanced and realistic information regarding subsidies.
- We ensure that all of our installations adhere to Spanish legislation.
- We have a physical showroom located on the Calpe-Moraira coastal road where you are welcome to visit.
- We provide our clients with an unparalleled life-long, prompt, and professional after-sales service
- We value each client as a long-term partner, safeguarding and organising all your information and documents for future requirements.
- We diligently integrate all the systems we install, creating a unified network that optimises efficiency and further reduces your electricity costs.
- We have a good track record of working effectively with estate agents, key-holders, rental companies, and construction companies.
What are the main components of a solar panel system?
Solar panels
With over 30 years of experience serving the Costa Blanca, we offer state-of-the-art solar energy systems equipped with premium photovoltaic panels designed to capture and convert sunlight into electricity. We meticulously select our panels to ensure optimal performance.
Our commitment to quality is evident in our use of top-of-the-line panels, boasting an impressive efficiency rating of 22% or higher, along with a comprehensive warranty lasting between 25 to 30 years. We exclusively source our panels from reputable tier 1 manufacturers, including Jinko Solar and Sunpower.
Inverters
A (grid-connected) solar inverter is a type of electronic device that converts direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, suitable for use in a home or business’s electrical system. It is designed to connect the solar panels to the power grid.
The grid-connected solar inverter also monitors the system’s performance and communicates with the grid to ensure that the solar system is always operating within safety and performance limits.
Additionally, the grid-connected solar inverter can feed any excess energy produced by the solar system back into the grid. This process is known as net metering, and it allows the homeowner to receive credits for the excess power produced and reduce their electricity bills.
Overall, a grid-connected solar inverter plays a crucial role in ensuring that solar energy systems are safe, efficient, and compatible with the grid.
We install string inverters and micro inverters. If a string inverter is used, one main inverter is placed inside the house. When micro inverters are used, each individual panel will have its own inverter on the back of the panel. In most cases, we use string inverters, only opting for micro inverters in certain special cases. We only use premium inverters from global market leaders such as Huawei, Solaredge and Enphase.
Mounting system
Inclined roofs with roof tiles: When installing solar panels on inclined roofs with roof tiles, we use a storm and leakage-proof mounting system with materials from Würth. We drill a hole through the upper roof tile and the bardo (the layer beneath the roof tiles) using a diamond drill and insert a threaded end, which is sealed with a waterproof adhesive. A profile is attached to the threaded end and the solar panels are mounted onto the profile.
Occasionally, we receive inquiries about installing solar panels on an inclined tile roof with the panels tilted to a certain direction. We do not offer this option due to aesthetic and safety concerns. Firstly, such an installation would look unappealing from an aesthetic standpoint. Secondly, the strength of the roof is a crucial factor in determining the overall strength of the solar panel system, regardless of how robust the mounting system is. Even if we were to make the mounting system exceptionally strong, its strength would ultimately be limited by the strength of the underlying roof.
Flat roofs: For flat roofs, we use either aluminium structures with wind skirts or prefab concrete foundations.
Pergolas and carports: On pergolas and carports, we typically use aluminium structures.
On the ground: When installing on the ground, we usually use prefab concrete foundations.
Vertical walls: Solar panels can also be installed on vertical walls using aluminium structures.
The system we choose depends on various factors, with wind forces and the aesthetic impact of the system being the most important considerations.
Optional components
Optimisers
An optimizer in a solar panel system is a device that works alongside a solar inverter to maximize the performance of each individual solar panel. The optimizer optimizes the power output of each panel to ensure maximum efficiency of the entire solar system. This allows for the system to produce more power, even if some of the panels are not performing optimally.
An optimizer also allows the system to work better under partially shaded conditions. When a solar panel is shaded, its output power is reduced. By using optimizers, each panel’s output is maximized, even if some of them are shaded. The optimizer allows the panel to operate at its maximum power point, which helps to reduce the effects of shading and increase the overall output of the system.
When an optimiser is installed, it is also possible to see production data of the individual panel via the app of the system.
Battery-storage
Surplus electricity can be stored inside one or more lithium-ion batteries to be used during times of low or no sunlight. Battery-storage can be interesting when you charge the battery every day and discharge the battery every night. If you do not live in Spain all year we do not advise battery-storage, due to the relatively high cost.
We often advise to live with the solar panel system one winter and one summer, to then look at your consumption together, sow we can better advise you wether battery-storage is a good investment for you. A solar panel system in Spain is always a good investment, but wether battery-storage is a good investment for you, depends on your specific situation.
Battery storage is available from approx. 4.900 euros including IVA (base module, one 5kWh module and installation) and is expandable per 5 kWh (max 30 kWh).
Because we use hybrid inverters, you always have and keep the option to extend the system with battery storage, immediately or at a late point in time.
Backup box
Backup boxes are an addition to a grid-connected solar panel system. In the event of a power outage, when the main power grid fails, the backup box transitions the system from grid power to battery power. This ensures that your house continues to receive electricity through the solar panel system, even during power cuts. If you reside in an area prone to frequent power interruptions, the backup box proves to be a convenient and reliable solution.
It’s worth noting that power outages in this region are becoming less frequent each year due to constant improvement of the grid, and they typically last only for a few seconds. Backup boxes are therefore not an absolute necessity.
Electric vehicle charger
Our systems can be outfitted or extended with a smart EV charger that can communicate with the inverter in order to charge an electric car. The advantage of an EV charger that can communicate with the inverter is that you can choose how the car is charged (grid electricity, solar electricity or battery electricity, when and how fast). The charger is integrated within the solar panel system’s smartphone application, making it possible to create schedules and see detailed information about charging sessions.
Detailed information wherever you are
View detailed information about production, consumption, surplus electricity and more on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer.
Paperwork, certificates, permits, reimbursements, IBI discount and subsidies
Installing solar panel systems in Spain involves a considerable amount of paperwork, surpassing the requirements in most other European countries. To ease the process for you, our comprehensive service includes all the necessary paperwork, permits, and certificates. We take charge of managing all communication and tasks, leaving you free from any burdensome responsibilities.
Furthermore, we prioritise strict adherence to Spanish guidelines, laws, and regulations, ensuring that our systems are installed in full compliance.
Rest assured, our expertise guarantees both the seamless paperwork process and the installation of solar panel systems that align with the highest standards while also giving honest and realistic information on subsidies.
Reimbursements for surplus electricity
Your electricity supplier pays you for your surplus electricity. The amount you receive per kWh can range from 10 to 20 cents + IVA per kWh. These reimbursements will be taken of the amount you still have to pay for electricity used at night. This is done monthly. You continue to pay for the fixed part of the invoice which may include fees for taxes, grid maintenance, and other services.
An example: If you consume 100 kWh of electricity and sell 50 kWh back to the grid, your electricity supplier will reimburse you for the 50 kWh of surplus electricity. If you consume 50 kWh and sell 100 kWh, you will only receive a reimbursement for 50 kWh. The excess 50 kWh will not be compensated. A solution to not ‘’loose’’ this electricity is a physical or ‘’virtual’’ battery. For more information and prices about battery-storage and virtual batteries, contact us or visit our shop.
Click here to see an example of what an electricity invoice with reimbursements for surplus electricity looks like.
Included in our prices:
Registration via de Generalitat Valenciana (GVA)
To ensure the legal compliance of your solar panel system and to ensure that the Generalitat Valenciana is aware of your solar panel system, it is necessary and obligated to register your installation through the Generalitat Valenciana.
Legalisation via the grid-operator (I-DE)
In order to receive reimbursement from your electricity supplier for the surplus electricity, it is crucial to follow the legalisation process set by the grid operator. This process ensures that the injection of surplus electricity is authorised and recognised, allowing for proper compensation for your surplus electricity.
Building permits (obra menor) via the municipality
To ensure the legal compliance of your solar panel installation, it is necessary to obtain a building permit from your municipality. This building permit is a mandatory requirement to ensure a fully ”legal” system.
Structural integrity report by certified engineer/architect
This report is only necessary when the panels are installed on a carport or pergola. If the panels are not installed on a carport or pergola, this report is not necessary.
To obtain a building permit for solar panels on a carport or pergola, a report has to be made by a certified engineer/architect, that says the structural integrity of the carport/pergola is strong enough. This report has to be presented to the town hall together with photos when applying/paying for the building permit.
Physical switch between digital meter and power grid
Solar panel installers must adhere to various regulations to ensure compliance with legislation. One important requirement is the installation of a physical switch between the main power grid and the digital meter of the grid operator. Failure to install this switch can result in your electricity supplier withholding reimbursement for surplus electricity generated. The grid operator typically inspects the placement of this switch in the weeks following the installation. Fortunately, you don’t need to be present at home during the grid operator’s visit, as the switch is typically located in the cabinet of the digital meter. The installation of this switch is included in our prices.
Paperwork for IBI (property tax) discount
In most municipalities, property owners can take advantage of a property tax (IBI) discount by installing solar panels. These discounts can be quite substantial. The discount amount varies depending on the municipality, but most offer a 50% discount for 3 years (maximum 400 euros per year), followed by two years of 25% discount (maximum 200 euros) To apply for the IBI discount, you will need to visit a SUMA office with the documentation that we will send you. The necessary documentation will be provided to you in the weeks following the installation of the solar panel system.
Not included in our prices:
EU Next generation subsidy application
While it is technically possible to apply for the EU Next Generation grant, it is crucial to have a realistic understanding of the likelihood of receiving funding. Since its establishment in 2019, tens of thousands of applications have been submitted, yet no person or company has been awarded funding thus far. The amount of funding required to support all the applicants since 2019 amounts to hundreds of millions, while the available funds only reach the tens of millions.
We value transparency and honesty in our communication regarding the grant and its prospects. We will refrain from using language in our conversations and quotations, that might create the impression that funding is readily available or that applying is a viable option. Charging an additional 300-500 euros for an application, knowing the remote chances of securing funding, would be unethical ins our opinion. We aim to avoid giving false hope to applicants and subjecting them to years of uncertainty without any guarantee or updates on their application status.
Most reputable agencies specialising in grant applications hold a more realistic and nuanced perspective on this particular grant. Consequently, most have ceased submitting new applications due to their reluctance to offer a service without guarantees or leave people waiting for years without information. We have chosen to follow their lead and will no longer submit applications for the EU Next Generation grant, until there is a decent chance of receiving funding. We will not leverage subsidies as a motivating factor for purchasing a solar panel system from us, as in our opinion, any honest company in the Comunidad Valenciana should. Mind that there are companies that are less honest about this particular subsidy and might even use it as a motivating factor, without having any responsibility, while earning an income on the application and without any guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you install?
Effective January 1, 2023, we will be reducing our service area in order to make sure waiting list do not go over 3 months and uphold the high-quality service that our customers have come to expect over the last 30 years. We will continue to serve Calpe, Benissa, Moraira, Teulada, Altea, Jalon, Benitatchell, and Javea.
Do the panels need to be cleaned?
Proper cleaning of your panels can increase their production. We recommend cleaning your panels at least once per year. You can clean the panels yourself using a soft brush or cloth (do not use a pressure washer) or you can hire one of our partners to do it for you. The cost is 5 euros per panel for easy-to-reach panels and 8 euros per panel for those that are difficult to access. If your panels are easy to reach, we suggest rinsing them with water after sand/dust rains to maintain optimal performance.
Does the system work during a power outage?
During a power outage, the system will stop functioning. Once power is restored, the system will resume operation automatically. It is possible to have the system work during power outages using a backup box or UPS solution and battery-storage. More information about backup boxes can be found on this page.
What happens when roof tiles break during installation?
We will replace any roof tiles that may be damaged during the installation process. If we anticipate that a significant number of roof tiles may need to be replaced, we will inform you before installation. If more than 50 roof tiles need to be replaced, we charge a very low and flat rate of 25 euros per square meter, including IVA, for the replacement tiles and installation.
What are your prices so competitive?
Our prices have been set at a highly competitive level, which is possible due to the large volume of systems we install, allowing us to maintain a lean cost structure and pass the savings onto our valued customers.
Do you register / legalise / inquire permits for third parties?
No, as we take full responsibility for our installations, we only install installations with all materials, services, and administrative work included.
Do you install materials I bought myself?
No, we only install installations with all materials, services, and administrative work included.
Do you sell materials seperately?
Yes, we sell inverters, optimisers, batteries and solar panels in our shop in Calpe.
Do you lease or finance systems?
No, we are not currently offering lease or finance options.
What about ''virtual batteries'' / ''cloud-storage''?
Virtual batteries and cloud storage represent a relatively new and evolving service provided by certain electricity suppliers, aimed at emulating energy storage without the need for physical batteries. Currently, we advise against hastily switching to new and comparatively small electricity companies that offer virtual battery services until established and reputable electricity suppliers adopt and extensively develop this concept. While the idea certainly exhibits promise, its appeal diminishes considerably if you find yourself subjected to higher electricity tariffs and high fixed costs associated with your virtual battery. It is essential to recognise that any supplier compensates you for the injected surplus electricity and subsequently sells it at a higher price to others. These companies operate with the objective of generating profits, so it is currently important not to view a virtual battery as an infallible solution.
We noticed that many people who have heard about virtual batteries, erroneously believe that injecting 1 kWh of surplus solar electricity into the grid results in the storage of an equivalent 1 kWh of electricity in the virtual battery. This is not the case. For each kWh stored, you receive the same reimbursement as for the injected solar electricity, but it will be recorded as a “credit” on your electricity invoice. It can’t be seen the same as ”net-metering, where you give 1 kWh and receive 1 kWh.
As a solar panel installer, we see a very large amount of electricity bills. Most people have contracts with fixed electricity rates, that they signed years ago, and will remain the same for years to come. Any change in your contract or switching to a different supplier, will most likely result in higher electricity rates. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you now have a virtual battery, but also a higher electricity invoice at the end of the month. We therefore advise to wait until the virtual battery concept is more mature. We are committed to remaining abreast of developments in the electricity market. We continuously monitor and evaluate the offerings of various companies, including those that provide virtual batteries. Leveraging our industry expertise and closely following market trends, we will ensure that you receive timely and valuable information when a suitable company emerges, offering virtual batteries along with favorable service, low electricity rates and low fixed costs.
Of course there are exceptions and we do also see people paying electricity rates that could be lower if they switch to a different company. If you have relatively high electricity rates and fixed costs, and you want information about virtual batteries, take a look at: www.solarrouter.es
Pricing (all-in-one packages)
Approximate prices for our most popular residential all-in-one packages, including all materials, services, installation, and paperwork. These prices are based on an inclined roof with roof tiles (south oriented south / 25 degree inclination) and do not include optimisers (optional) or battery storage (optional). Systems installed on flat surfaces are slightly more expensive due to additional materials costs (25 euros + IVA per panel and 150 euros + IVA for use of a solar elevator or crane)
Last price update: May 2023
2,85 kWp - 4.995 kWh per year
4,275 kWp - 7.490 kWh per year
5,7 kWp - 9.685 kWh per year
7,125 kWp - 12.485 kWh per year
8,55 kWp - 14.980 kWh per year
9,975 kWp - 17.475 kWh per year
These packages are on the base of 475W panels (Jinko Solar Tiger Neo) with a black or silver frame. We also install all-black panels (Jinko Solar Tiger N-Type all-black) where both the frame as wel as the surface area of the panel have a deep black color. A system with these panels costs the same, but as these new all-black, also called full-black, panels are only available with lower wattages (415W), the same package with the smaller all-black 415W panels produces approximately 10% less electricity. Of course, this difference can me made up for using an additional panel.
Going solar is easy!
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1
Inquiry
To help us assess your needs, send us a recent, specified electricity bill and the location of the property. Alternatively, you can bring an electricity bill to our shop. We will use the bill to determine your connection type and electricity consumption.
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2
Proposal
Using specialized software, we design a custom solar panel system based on your specific situation (roof inclination, orientation, available space) and average consumption. We will then provide you with a detailed quotation, a comprehensive production report, and all necessary information.
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3
Site visit
If you have any questions, would like to discuss the quotation or if you want to adjust something to the proposed system, please visit us at our shop in Calpe. If everything is clear, we will schedule a site visit to determine the location for the inverter (which can be placed in a location of your choosing) and determine the best route for the cables connecting the inverter to the solar panels.
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4
Installation
Thanks to our extensive experience, every system is installed efficiently in just one day by one of our highly experienced and FEMPA certified installation teams.
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5
Administration
Before installation, we will handle all necessary building permit applications. After installation, we will register the system and legalise the grid injection. Once all paperwork has been completed, we will send you a clear summary via email for your records and to potentially apply for an IBI discount. You do not need to take any action on your own.
Effective January 1, 2023: Due to ongoing high demand for our services, we are no longer able to offer non-binding site visits for initial information or exploratory meetings. Site visits are only conducted for technical review of the situation prior to installation.
Client reviews
We take immense pride in the the services and installations we provide and express our heartfelt gratitude to all our clients for entrusting us with their needs.
Laura S.
Calpe
Lucas O.
Moraira
Jan V.
Benissa
Patrick D.
Benissa
Frank V.
Calpe
Ruben S.
Benissa
June T.
Benissa
Wouter K.
Benissa
Monique I.
Calpe
Ken G.
Moraira
Graham C.
Benissa
Zita F.
Jalon
Source: Google reviews / Click here for more reviews