Réponse Rapide
A residential solar installation in Spain consists of several key components working together. La configuration optimale dépend de votre consommation réelle, de l'orientation du toit, des besoins en batterie et du choix du bon tarif d'exportation.
1. Solar Panels (Módulos Fotovoltaicos)
The most visible part of the system. Your quote should clearly specify the **brand, model, individual wattage, and quantity** of the panels, as well as the total system size in Kilowatt-peak (kWp).
Avoid quotes that list generic items like "Tier 1 Monocrystalline Panels" without naming the manufacturer. You want to see brands like JinkoSolar, Trina, Longi, REC, or Canadian Solar. The quote should also mention the cell technology (e.g., N-type TOPCon, HJT) and the warranty duration.
2. The Inverter (Inversor)
The brain of the system, converting DC solar electricity into AC electricity your home can use.
The quote must specify:
- Type: A standard string inverter, a hybrid (battery-ready) inverter, or a microinverter system.
- Brand & Model: Look for Huawei, Fronius, SMA, Enphase, Sungrow, or SolarEdge.
- Nominal Power (kW): This is the maximum AC output. In Spain, this is the figure used to determine your legalization category. It should be sized relative to your panel array (usually the panel peak kWp is 10% to 20% larger than the inverter AC kW).
3. Mounting Structure (Estructura de Soporte)
The framework that holds your panels secure. In Spain, especially in coastal provinces like Málaga, mounting structures face harsh conditions: intense heat, strong winds, and salty sea air.
The quote should state whether the structure is **coplanar** (flushed against a sloped tile roof) or **tilted** (elevated on a flat roof or azotea). Ensure the quote specifies **anodized aluminum or stainless steel** profiles. Zinc-plated steel mounts will rust within a few years in coastal environments.
4. Electrical Protections (Protecciones Eléctricas)
Under Spain's electrical safety regulations (REBT), a solar system must have dedicated protective devices installed in separate sealed boxes:
- DC Protection Box (Cuadro de Corriente Continua): Installed between the panels and the inverter. It must include DC surge protectors (against lightning strikes), DC fuses, and a manual DC isolator switch so the panels can be safely disconnected from the inverter during maintenance.
- AC Protection Box (Cuadro de Corriente Alterna): Installed between the inverter and your main house consumer unit. It must contain an AC circuit breaker (magnetotérmico), an AC differential switch, and an AC surge protector.
Some low-cost installers skip these safety boxes or merge them into the inverter, which violates local code. Make sure they are explicitly itemized.
5. Smart Meter & Monitoring (Medidor de Consumo)
Many cheap quotes omit this component, which is a major mistake.
By default, the inverter can only track how much solar power it is generating. To see **how much energy your house is actually consuming** and **how much excess power you are exporting**, the installer must install a small **Smart Meter** (also called a power sensor or energy meter) inside your main fuse board.
Without this smart meter, your monitoring app will only show a solar production line, and you will have no idea how much power you are importing or wasting. Make sure the quote includes a "Smart Meter" or "Energy Meter" compatible with your inverter.
6. Legalisation & Administrative Paperwork
To legally operate your system and get compensated for export surplus under Spain's self-consumption laws, the installation must be registered.
Your quote must state that the installer will handle:
- CIE (Boletín Eléctrico): The official certificate signed by an authorized electrician.
- Submission to Industry (Registro de Industria): Filing the paperwork with your Autonomous Community.
- Municipal Permissions: Filing the building permit (Declaración Responsable or Licencia de Obra) with your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) and managing the ICIO construction tax.
What should be itemised in a high-quality quote
A professional solar proposal should never consist of a single lump sum (e.g., "Solar Installation €5,000"). It should be fully itemized with the following details:
- Brand, model, and quantity of panels and inverters.
- Mounting system type and manufacturer.
- Wiring, conduits, and electrical protection boxes.
- Smart Meter model.
- Electrician labor, site preparation, and safety equipment (scaffolding or lifelines).
- Legalization service, CIE signature, and administrative registry fees.
- VAT (IVA) rate. Note that in Spain, domestic solar installations can sometimes qualify for a reduced 10% IVA rate rather than the standard 21%, depending on whether it is part of a renovation or falls within specific criteria. Check this with your accountant.