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Learn how to install solar panels at home: the definitive guide

More and more individuals are asking themselves whether it is profitable to install solar panels on a house, and the answer is yes. Thanks to solar energy we will achieve significant savings, as it is easier to produce, the installation pays off quickly (between 4 and 6 years for a useful life of the solar panels of 25 to 30 years) and, in addition, both the Spanish Government and the European Union are launching different lines of aid – such as the NextGeneration funds – to promote its use and to fight against the de-carbonisation of the planet.

If you are interested in installing solar panels at home, here is what you need to know in our definitive guide to solar panels.

What types of facilities are there?

First of all, it is necessary to take into account the types of installations that exist:

Isolated photovoltaic installations

This type of installation is not connected to the electricity grid, due to the impossibility of connecting to the supply network or because doing so involves a high price. If we are in this situation, together with the installation of solar panels, we should also have photovoltaic accumulators.

Connected to the electrical circuit

These are usually the most common. In addition, there are self- supply installations without surpluses, which have an anti-spill device that prevents surpluses from entering the electricity system, and self- supply installations with surpluses, which can supply surpluses to the general grid. Those in this second modality can benefit from a compensation mechanism, although they must meet certain requirements, such as being a renewable source, having a maximum power of no more than 100 kW or having a single supply contract of this type, among others. Those who are not covered by the compensation system can also choose the alternative of selling their surpluses, for which they will have to register in the Administrative Registry of Photovoltaic Solar Self- supply.

Thanks to this, it can also be seen that it is profitable to install solar panels at home.

Requesting a quotation

The next step is to request quotes from solar panel installers. The usual data that are usually requested are the type of home in which the installation is to be carried out, whether it is the main home, a second home or seasonal; the location, to find out the hours of sunshine you can count on; the universal supply point code or CUPS, a series of 20 digits that can be found on the electricity bill, or the type of tariff you currently have, to outline the type of user.

Subsequently, once everything has been agreed, an installer will have to come to your home to see in situ the possibilities for carrying out the installation.

Signing the contract

After agreeing on the type of installation that best fits, you have to proceed to sign the contract, which will have to be done according to the Royal Decree 244/2019 that regulates the administrative, technical and economic conditions of the self- supply of electricity. One thing to bear in mind is that not all the procedures will be the same because this will depend on the type of installation to be carried out.

In this part there is also a bureaucratic part and permits that have to be granted, such as the building permit, the execution of the installation, periodic inspections, authorisation of the operation, supply contracts or registration in the administrative registry of self- supply of electricity, among others.

Installation of the solar panels at home

Once everything has been signed, it is time to proceed with the installation of the solar panels. This is the quickest part, although it will depend on the number of jobs previously ordered and the size of the installation, but it could be up and running in a day or two.

Maintenance work

Another positive aspect of solar panels is that they require very little maintenance. However, from time to time it is advisable to check that everything is in order, especially after a storm, as hail or heavy rain could cause damage.

At RDS we will advise you when choosing the solar panels that best suit your home. Our team of experts has extensive experience in the sector, so they will resolve any doubts you may have with the best possible attention.