Solar Power

[Annabell]

Is it correct that you can get a grant for installation of solar energy? If so, does anybody know how much the grant is? And also how much would it cost to install?
Thanks in advance
Annabell

[Valencia_Paul]

I have read that you can get upto 35% in grants for solar installations in Spain but I don't know if it varies by region or how you would apply.

Solar power for electricity generation is expensive. In Spain a module generating 165 watts of electricity costs about 800 Euros. You would probably need about 10 of these, as well as inverter, batteries and charge controller. Throw in a generator and you could be looking at about 15,000 Euros total.

If you are just talking about solar water heating then that is much cheaper.

Try a search in Google for "solar power spain" and you will find some companies in Spain.

[sioban]

where about in spain are you going to be living?

I know a website but cant think of the name, il have a look and let you know!

Sioban

[Annabell]

We've just bought close to Chiclana if that helps.
Thanks for the replies by the way.
Annabell

[mikeyj]

: Just a hopefully helpful comment. We live in Oria, Almeria and had a solar power system installed when we moved into our house in 2004. It is a 3kw system and cost around 13000euros. Although we have many sunny days here we still struggle to run a household even though we have low energy lightbulbs, are careful with consumption etc. Batteries don´t hold a charge for that long and even when the sun is shining all day for 10 hours we sometimes run short of power! We don´t use hairdryers, or any high consumption appliance and we still struggle.We have ended up spending around 20- 30 euro a week in fuel sometimes to charge the batteries with a generator!! If we had the choice again we would have mains electric installed in a shot - but we thought we were helping the enviroment!! our advice - if you can´t get mains fine - otherwise be careful and do some research before you go ahead with solar!!

[Valencia_Paul]

Mikeyj,

Interesting story - I very much doubt you've been sold a 3KW system for 13,000 Euros. Even with the latest most powerful 190 watt panels, you would need 16 panels and I don't believe you could buy these for less than 800 Euros per panel. Just the panels would come to 12,800 Euros leaving nothing in the budget for the charge controller, inverter, batteries, installation charges and not to forget the company's profit! The batteries alone for a 3KW system could (should) be about 4000 Euros.
For a company to spec a system without a generator is nonsense too. You can easily hit 3,4 or 5 days in sunny Spain without seeing the sun. How many panels do you actually have? Also, I have heard stories of older reconditioned panels being resold that do not match modern panels for efficiency.

All in all though you are correct. A solar electricity lifestyle would mean low energy bulbs, no electric heating of any kind, possibly a specialist fridge too. You should be ok for normal stuff like TVs, computer, hi-fi etc.
The system should have been specced to get you through between 2 and 4 days without sunshine just on the batteries. The generator is of course mandatory.

Good luck with your system - maybe you should get an expert to check out the panel ratings and battery sizings.

[BrianSimpson]

I am being asked to consider solar power for a new house I am having built. I have read may articles on the internet and do not think that it is a sensible option considering there will be air conditioning, electric cooker etc. Does anyone have an opinion on this ? Also, I read of 3, 7 and 10Kw systems, what does this mean ? What I want to know is 1) presumably any energy consumed during the daytime is replaced immediately ? 2) When darkness falls just how much energy is available for the night, is it the 3, 7 and 10Kw mentioned above or are these numbers the maximum energy that can be used at a given point in time ?

[Valencia_Paul]

Brian,

If you want air conditioning and an electric cooker then forget solar electricity generation. Have you had a quote for a mains electric connection?

Solar electric works best if you take a holistic approach and design a house from scratch that doesn't need air con or much in the way of heating.

It strikes me that a lot of cowboy companies in Spain will fit an inappropriate solar system, take the cash then leave you to suffer!

[silver]

Delegaciones Provinciales de la Consejería de Industria y Trabajo in your area is where to go for solar grants..if they are still available.

[Annabell]

How do you go about getting mains electric installed?
The solar power doesn't look like the best option for us, although there are only 2 of us we would still like to install electric heaters in the bedrooms.

[chrisuk]

Solar power has its place but not for high duty loading like washing machines, where it comes into effectiveness and savings is lighting.