This is the top 5 questions we get asked before a solar installation.
Following the recent success of our article on the top 5 frequently asked questions after installation, we have now spoken to our sales team and solar coaches (thanks team!), as many of our potential customers have the same questions before going ahead with a solar installation. Among them are the following topics:
1. What size solar installation is best for my home?
The number of solar panels for your home depends on some technical factors directly related to the installation, such as the size of the house, place of installation, geographical location; and also on other factors related to the use, such as energy consumption and whether it will be a regular residence or a second one.
Don’t worry too much about this as this is our job. However, if you want an estimate of how many solar panels your home needs, think about these 4 things:
1️⃣ Your electricity consumption
2️⃣ The money you are willing to invest
3️⃣ The size of your roof (or installation area)
4️⃣ Consider whether you want solar power to meet all your electricity needs or only part of them.
The good news is that you don’t have to do all the calculations – we do it for you!
Still, the easiest way to find out how many solar panels you need to power your home is to use a Solar Calculator like ours. By simply entering your address and monthly energy bill into the solar calculator you can find out how many solar panels you need!
There are 3 more questions that customers ask us about this concern, which we answer in the links below:
- How do I determine how many solar panels I need?
- How many solar panels does my roof need?
- How do I calculate how many solar panels I need?
2. Do you suggest batteries for my solar installation?
The use of different types of storage batteries depends on the solar installation we have, and there are certain factors that make batteries a good investment. Here is an example:
If your average electricity consumption is around 100 euros per month, within your kit with solar panels and inverter we will install a battery of between 5-10 kWh that will produce in a full year between 1,825-3,650 kWh, that is to say, it will cover between 70-80% of your electricity consumption thanks to the daily charge and discharge cycles. For this we have taken into account that the average annual consumption of a Spanish household is between 3,000-4,000 kWh.
As a result of this concern, there are 5 more questions whose answers you will find here:
- What do I need to know about batteries for a solar installation?
- Do storage batteries provide added value?
- When are the batteries discharged?
- When are the batteries charged?
- How much cost does it add to my installation?
3. How long will it take to pay back my solar self-consumption investment?
It depends on the installation you install on your roof. At SolarMente we have studied the results of our clients and we have estimated that with the smallest installation , 5 solar panels, you can save 400 euros per year while with the installation of 16 panels, up to 1,400 euros per year.
Solar self-consumption allows savings in energy consumption, in the variable term of the electricity bill.
“With solar self-consumption, you save up to 60% of your electricity bill, which is an average of 600 euros per year,” says Victor Gardrinier, co-founder and CTO of SolarMente.
As a result of this concern, 4 other questions have arisen, the answers to which you will find here:
- How can I amortise the cost of installing solar panels for self-consumption?
- How much can I save?
- Is the installation of solar panels for self-consumption profitable?
- How much could I save per year?
4. What subsidies or grants are there for solar self-consumption?
At present there are subsidies and reductions for this type of solar self-consumption investment. For example, for 8 solar panels: a 3.6 kWp system with a price of 5.900€ (4.990€ without VAT), you can apply for the following reductions and subsidies:
- Subsidy from European funds: 600€/kwp → 3.6 kwp x 600€ = 2.160€ subsidy reduction.
- IBI*reduction : 50% for 5 years. On average, another €1,560 reduction (*depending on the municipality) .
- ICIO reduction : 95% of 4% of the total price without VAT → 0,95 x 0,04 x 4.990€ = 190€ reduction.
Total discount: 3.850€ reduction.
Total price of the solar installation: 1.990€.
Better knowledge about the availability of incentives and investment financing(subsidies and rebates) increases the willingness to undertake these solar self-consumption investments by approximately 10%, in the case of residential consumers.
5. What guarantees does the solar installation have?
We guarantee 25 years of performance and 12 years of warranty on your solar panels and inverter. And after installation, if there are any problems (which we doubt), we will be there to solve them. We want to be your solar energy partner for as long as you need us to be.
In this present that we are building, you will produce your own clean energy and contribute to a sustainable future.
#MakeItSolarMind ☀️✌️
