“If you have one or want to renovate your roof, now is the time to opt for this solution. Neighborhoods will not only be prettier, but also cleaner and more efficient.” With this phrase Elon Musk presented in 2016 the innovative Solarcity solar roof called to revolutionize the consumption of clean energy in homes.
The bet of the almighty businessman is further proof that the real estate sector is moving towards a more efficient model. In fact, more and more people are using photovoltaic solar energy as a source of energy in their homes, and the solutions and installation alternatives in this field continue to proliferate.
In general, when talking about a solar roof or a solar roof, reference is made to homes that have photovoltaic panels or solar tiles installed. Both alternatives are valid and contribute to environmental sustainability, although the first is more widespread than the second.
But how much does it cost to install a solar roof on a home? The price depends on many elements, such as the type of panel or tile used, the consumption of the house or the size of the installation. As for the type of solar panel, there are mainly self-consumption or accumulation. With the first, all the energy that is produced is used in the house and what is left over is injected into the network. The price ranges between 2,000 and 3,000 euros per kW installed, as explained by the company Solarmassel.
However, the price rises up to 30% if you opt for self-consumption solar panels with accumulation. In this case, the excess energy is charged into a battery and supplied when needed. “The kilowatt hour is more expensive, but the independence from the network reaches 98%”, says Thorsten Massel, manager of Solarmassel. The expert emphasizes that a single-family house with an average consumption will need to install between 8 and 12 solar panels that give an installed power of between 4 and 5 kilowatts. “The price of solar panels is now four times lower than it was 15 years ago, while power has increased fourfold. Little by little we are going to see more panels installed,” he adds.
The price of a solar panel installation also varies depending on its size and the competition in the sector. From Energía Aljaval they explain that -in general- the price of an installation for a single-family home of between 2 and 7 kW ranges between 4,000 euros and 9,000 euros -VAT included-, while the installations for the neighborhood communities are usually something higher depending on the availability of the cover. “They can reach up to 30,000 euros depending on the building,” explains Alejandro Ponferrada Rodríguez, the company’s business development.
Separate mention requires solar tiles. It is a less demanded solution, more exclusive, and more expensive than traditional solar panels. In fact, few companies offer this service. One of them is Tejas Borja, which has recently begun to market photovoltaic panels integrated with ceramic tiles.
One of its products is a large-format flat roof tile that provides a reliable solar energy supply, watertightness and has no risk of degradation or oxidation. “They can be installed on all roofs, both in and in blocks of flats, always carrying out a prior study,” explains Costina Rusen, the company’s marketing manager.
Installation
Photovoltaic panels can be installed in blocks of flats and in single-family houses. The main requirements for its installation are that the roof is well oriented, has an optimal slope, is accessible and does not include external elements that generate shadows.
From the Superior Council of the Associations of Architects of Spain they emphasize the importance of carrying out a study prior to the installation to analyze the fraction of solar radiation that falls on the surface. “If the cover is inclined and facing south, 100% of the capacity of the plates can be used, but if it is west, it will begin to receive radiation at noon”, explains Laureano Matas, general secretary of the CSCAE.
There are also other elements so that the performance of the photovoltaic installation is optimal. “Aspects such as the quality of the structure and its installation are also very important for the correct performance and duration of the plant and to avoid accidents due to atmospheric phenomena such as wind,” explains Sergio Moreno, business developer manager at Solari Power.
But beware, there are also a series of legal requirements to install solar panels in homes. “For residential installations, the first requirement is to have a minor building license with the corresponding town hall, and that the roof designed for the installation belongs to the home or is legalized, if it has been built a posteriori,” the expert explains.
Projects that exceed a power of 10,000 Wp require the drafting of a project endorsed by the competent technician, and if the power exceeds 15,000 kW and the installation is in an urban area, access must be processed with the electricity distributor.
In addition, it must also be taken into account that many roofs that are likely to install photovoltaic panels are subject to protection regulations. “For example, there are buildings that are in protected complexes that do not allow installation or have specific requirements so that they are not observed as a third façade,” they point out from CSCAE. Installation time depends on the size of the project, but typically ranges from one to three days.
Amortization
One of the most important elements when installing solar panels in a home is the time in which the investment will be amortized. It is true that the initial outlay is considerable, but the experts begin to look at the long term.
“Amortization depends on savings, and is typically below 10 years, not taking into account grants. This product should be considered a savings product. A correct calculation other than amortization would be to compare the investment to any other investment asset usual financial investment. Any investment in photovoltaic, if well designed, generates a long-term return of 10% per year and higher. Currently, there is no risk-free financial investment product that allows a small saver to obtain that return,” they explain. from Solari Power.
But there is more. According to the company’s calculations, you can save up to 60% on your electricity bill with a well-designed solar panel installation. “The objective must be to self-consume 50% of the energy generated on an annual average. Then, the energy savings must be between 40% and 60% of the client’s total consumption before installation.” Solar panels also have drawbacks. The main one is that this system only produces energy during daylight hours, and that this energy is not the same throughout the year due to changes in the amount of solar radiation.
Another disadvantage is that, if the installation does not have accumulation, the surplus energy – around 50% – is poured into the network. “This non-consumed energy is compensated in the customer’s electricity bill by the marketer, but at a much lower price than what they bill,” they explain from Solari Power.