Collective self-consumption (autoconsumo colectivo, shared solar)

What collective self-consumption is

Autoconsumo colectivo lets several consumers share one solar PV installation. It is the typical solution for a block of flats: the panels go on the communal roof and the energy is shared among the participating neighbours, each with their own meter and contract. It also works for neighbouring warehouses or business units. It is governed by Royal Decree 244/2019.

How it differs from individual self-consumption

In individual self-consumption, one installation serves one consumer and everything it produces is theirs. In the collective version, output is split among several according to allocation coefficients signed by the participants. Panels, inverter and protection are the same; what changes is the agreement, the paperwork and the fact that each neighbour sees their share on their own bill.

Allocation coefficients

Each participant is assigned a percentage of production. Coefficients can be fixed or, if agreed, vary by hour to match each person’s use better. The community’s communal services meter can also take part, to cut the cost of lighting for stairs, lift or garage.

Owners’ meeting and paperwork

• Community approval: article 17.1 of the Horizontal Property Law (LPH) allows these installations with the vote of one third of the owners representing one third of the shares. Those who do not take part do not pay.
• Distance: the rules allow sharing with nearby consumers; the 500 m limit was extended to 2,000 m by Royal Decree-law 20/2022 for certain cases.
• Legalisation: boletín, self-consumption registration with the Junta, allocation agreement and compensation contracts for each participant.

Who to ask

We study the roof, the power and the split, and prepare the documents for the owners’ meeting. See shared solar for buildings and building maintenance in Seville, Spain.