Can I put solar panels on a country house with no mains electricity in Spain?

Off-grid solar for a country house: how it works

Solar panels on a country house (casa de campo or finca) without mains power are the alternative to running a line from the grid, which on remote properties can be very expensive or simply not viable. It is called an off-grid installation (instalación aislada): there is no connection to the distributor, so everything you use comes from your panels and your batteries.

Parts of an off-grid installation

• Solar panels, sized to produce what you use even in winter.
• Batteries, which store energy for the night and cloudy days. They are the key component.
• Charge controller or hybrid inverter, which manages battery charging and converts direct current into the 230 V alternating current of your sockets.
• Protective devices on the DC and AC sides, earthing and a fuse board.
• Backup generator, optional, for long spells without sun.

The key: knowing how much you will use

A weekend house with lights, a fridge and a TV needs little. A full-time home with a well pump, washing machine or air conditioning needs much more. Before quoting, you list the appliances with their power and hours of use, and plan for the worst month of the year.

Tips for a system that works well

• Efficient appliances and LED lighting: every kWh saved is battery you do not need.
• Run well and irrigation pumps in sunny hours, using production directly.
• Avoid heating water or cooking with electricity, unless with equipment designed for it.
• Size the panels with a margin for winter.

Regulations

The installation is governed by ITC-BT-40 of Spain’s low voltage regulations, which covers generating installations, and the equipment must meet standards such as UNE-EN 62109 for inverter safety. Even though it is not connected to the grid, it should be carried out and documented by a registered electrical contractor.

What it costs

An off-grid installation is quoted to measure, because it depends entirely on your loads, the autonomy you want and the size of the batteries. As a guide, grid-connected installations cost 850 to 1,300 euros per kWp, and in an off-grid system the batteries add considerably to the total.

When to call an electrician

Call if you have a rural property, country house or outbuilding with no supply. In Seville, Spain, we design off-grid solar, choose the storage with solar batteries and, if backup is needed, install generators.