Question 1

How much does it cost to install solar panels on a house?

Accepted Answer

A turnkey 5 kWp residential system typically costs between €4,700 and €5,600, with the installation, the protection devices and the UPAC registration included — UPAC being the self-consumption unit that has to be registered with the Portuguese authorities. The final figure depends on the type of roof and on the distance to the consumer unit.

Question 2

Is my roof suitable?

Accepted Answer

Roofs facing south, south-east or south-west, with no significant shading, are ideal. Even so, we get good results on east/west roofs by splitting the panels across the two pitches.

Question 3

How long does the whole process take?

Accepted Answer

From the site survey to the connection, between two and four weeks. The installation itself takes one or two days in a home.

Question 4

How much will I save each month?

Accepted Answer

Without a battery, the typical saving is between 50% and 70% of the bill. With a battery it can go beyond 85%. Use our simulator for an estimate based on your own case.

Question 5

How long before I get the investment back?

Accepted Answer

Between 4 and 7 years in homes, and between 3 and 5 years in businesses with high daytime consumption.

Question 6

Can I sell the energy I don't use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once the UPAC is registered — the self-consumption unit declared to the Portuguese authorities — you can sign a surplus sale contract with an electricity supplier. The price paid is lower, however, than what you save by using your own energy.

Question 7

Do I need a licence to install?

Accepted Answer

Up to 30 kW, prior registration with the DGEG, the Portuguese energy authority, is all that is needed, and we handle it entirely for you. Above that, a production licence is required.

Question 8

Are there government grants?

Accepted Answer

The support schemes change through the year and by type of customer. We tell you which programmes are open and help you put the application together.

Question 9

What warranty does the equipment come with?

Accepted Answer

25 years' product warranty on the panels (up to 30 years on output), 10 years on the inverter and the battery, and 5 years on the installation.

Question 10

Do the panels need maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Very little. We recommend an annual inspection and the occasional clean in areas with dust, pollen or close to the sea.

Question 11

What happens in a power cut?

Accepted Answer

An on-grid system shuts down for safety. A hybrid system with backup keeps the essential circuits running off the battery.

Question 12

Will the panels stand up to hail and storms?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The modules are tested against 25 mm hail at 80 km/h and the mounting structures are sized for the wind zone where you live.

Frequently asked questions

Before you install

Savings and payback

Paperwork and grants

Equipment and maintenance

Still unsure? We can talk it through today.