The Ultimate Guide to Switching to Solar Power with Sol Viva
Why Switch to Solar Power in Portugal?
Switching to solar power in Portugal is not just an environmentally friendly choice; it's also economically wise. Portugal receives an average of 300 days of sunshine throughout the year, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy. With rising electricity costs and increasing awareness about carbon footprints, it's the smart choice to install a solar plant on your home.
Understanding the Benefits
One of the most compelling benefits of switching to solar power are the potential for cost savings. Once your solar panels are installed, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate 90% of your electricity bills with the use of a battery. Here’s a simplified way to estimate your potential solar savings:
| Monthly Bill (€) | Estimated Usage (kWh/month) | Suggested System Size (kWp) | Typical Savings Without Battery |
| €50 | 250 | 2.5–3.0 kWp | ~€300–€350/year |
| €75 | 375 | 3.5–4.5 kWp | ~€450–€550/year |
| €100 | 500 | 5.0–6.0 kWp | ~€600–€720/year |
| €125+ | 625+ | 6.5–7.5+ kWp | ~€800–€1,000/year |
Having your own solar plant also liberates you from paying money over to your energy provider. Rather have the money in your pocket than theirs hey?
Beyond financial savings, solar power offers environmental benefits. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, you can lower your household's carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. We have also found that the children of our clients love that their parents are being environmentally conscious.
Assessing Your Solar Potential
Before making the switch, it's important to assess your property's solar potential.
At Sol Viva, we always perform an energy needs assessment first. In order to complete the needs assessment, we look at your historical consumption (electricity bills) and future energy requirements e.g. Any forecast changes to your consumption such as installing a pool heater or buying an electric vehicle. We also talk to you about what you want to achieve including just addressing your daytime energy needs to also addressing your nighttime demand which would require the addition of a battery. All of this information goes into our modelling tool from where we deduce the type and size of system we need in order to achieve different outcomes e.g. Solar panels only through to panels together with a battery. The model will also tell us the business case for each option including payback periods.
With prices having come down considerably over the years, the business case for installing solar has improved significantly. These days, you can assume a pay back period of ±2-3 years for a panel only system and 4-5 years for a panel plus battery system.
After the energy needs assessment, we move on to designing your solar system. This is always a function of what is possible on each property. Factors like roof orientation, available space, shading from nearby buildings or trees, and the structural integrity of your roof play a role in determining how effective a solar installation will be. At Sol Viva, we will perform a satelite assessment during the design stage followed by a pre-installation site visit to confirm everything.
In order to price each system, we use a market place that consists of prevetted, accredited local installers who compete for the provisional design based on price points. This is done in real time (so no annoying delays) resulting in us always choosing the best priced, qualified installer.
Once we have the priced and designed system/s, we share a summary of them including the detailed business case with you. All of our solutions include both a buy now or rental option so that you can choose the option that most suits your financial situations. Finally, we set out the implementation process in simple steps so that you understand and are re-assured that we have things covered.
Navigating the Installation Process
The installation process for solar panels in Portugal typically involves several steps. First, at Sol Viva, we always perform a pre-installation site visit to confirm feasibility and also agree where everthing will go so that you are happy. Not doing this can result in annoying delays when an installer shows up having not seen the site or agreed things with the customer.
We only work with experienced and reputable installers. This ensures that your installation will be both efficient and compliant with local regulations.
Maximizing Your Investment
After installation, there are several ways to maximize your investment in solar power. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring optimal performance. This may include cleaning the panels and checking for any technical issues. Many companies offer maintenance packages as part of their service.
Utilising Net Metering
Net metering is another way to enhance the value of your solar system. This program allows you to sell excess electricity generated by your panels back to the grid, effectively reducing your overall energy costs. It's an excellent way to make your solar investment work even harder for you.
Conclusion
Switching to solar power in Portugal is a smart choice for both your wallet and the planet. With abundant sunlight a good business case and a growing community of users, now is the perfect time to explore this renewable energy source. By understanding the process and benefits, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your financial and environmental goals. Let's do this.