From the study to the first bill with self-consumption
- Viability. We review consumption, location, proximity, surface area and electrical configuration.
- Design and agreements. Participants, teams, modality, distribution and contracts are specified. When applicable, the agreement of the community or the title of use of the cover is obtained.
- Permits and technical documentation. A project or report is prepared, access and connection permits are checked and municipal titles, authorizations and applicable regional requirements are processed. Read more
Do all facilities need generation access permission?
There are exemptions for installations without surpluses and for certain self-consumption with surpluses of up to 15 kW on urbanized land that meets legal requirements. The exact assumption must be checked. Being exempt from this permit does not eliminate electrical legalization, documentation or applicable urban planning requirements.
Regulatory basis: Royal Decree 1183/2020, article 17 and Royal Decree 244/2019, article 7.
Usual documentation
Identification and representation; CUPS ratio; location and generation data; memory or project; CIE and commissioning documentation; permits when applicable; distribution agreement and coefficient file; compensation contract, where applicable; and authorizations to process on behalf of the participants.
The specific documentation will be adjusted to the autonomous community, the modality, the power and the configuration. The official IDAE models serve as support and must be contrasted with the current rules.
Resource: Guide to collective self-consumption and editable models from IDAE.
Can I participate without having license plates in my house?
Yes, in a nearby installation configuration over the network, as long as the association conditions are met and a project is available. RD 244/2019, art. 3.g.
Do I have to live in the same building?
Not necessarily. There are different proximity criteria, including distance, transformation center and cadastral reference. RD 244/2019, art. 3.g.
Is the limit still 2 km?
The current text contemplates less than 5 km for photovoltaic or wind power of up to 5 MW in the regulated case. An old limit should not be applied across the board to all projects. RD 244/2019, art. 3.g.iii
Should I run a cable to my home?
In self-consumption through the network, a dedicated private line is not required between each home and the installation. The project may require connection works and measurement adjustments. RD 244/2019, arts. 3 and 10.
Should we all contract with the same marketing company?
The collective self-consumption regulations do not require a single marketing company for everyone. The modality, the distribution agreement and the processing of each supply must be coordinated. A specific commercial offer may incorporate conditions that should be reviewed before contracting. RD 244/2019, arts. 4 and 9.
Will I continue paying power and taxes?
Self-consumption does not automatically eliminate these concepts or the rental of the meter. The invoice will depend on the contract, network consumption, applicable charges and current taxation. RD 244/2019, arts. 14, 15 and 17.
Is it shared equally between neighbors?
Only if it is agreed. The distribution can be set according to other criteria and can be scheduled, within the regulated format and procedure. Order TED/1247/2021.
Does my 20% share cover 20% of my bill?
Not necessarily. A generation coefficient is not a discount on the invoice. The result depends on your coincident consumption, surpluses, prices and costs. RD 244/2019, annex I and art. 14.
Can I change the cast whenever I want?
You must follow the rules of agreement and communication. Annex I provides for changes with a periodicity of no less than four months; An already approved hourly distribution can contain different values for different hours without each hour being a new modification. Annex I of RD 244/2019.
What happens at night or when there is not enough sun?
Uncovered consumption is served from the network. A storage system can provide energy if it is installed, available and correctly integrated. RD 244/2019, arts. 3 and 5.7.
Will I have electricity during a power outage?
Not for the mere fact of participating. Support requires a specific technical configuration, compatible equipment, and compliance with protections and operating conditions. REBT, ITC-BT-40.
Are batteries mandatory?
No. It must be studied whether they add value and how they are integrated into the measurement and operation configuration. RD 244/2019, art. 5.7.
Can I participate if I already have individual self-consumption?
The modality must be reviewed. The expressly provided exception allows combining individual self-consumption without surpluses with self-consumption of nearby and associated facilities through the network. Not every existing installation supports a clean addition. RD 244/2019, art. 4.5.
Can I participate as a tenant?
It may be possible as a supplier and party to the agreements. Participation must be coordinated with the rental contract and authorizations for any work or use of outside elements. RD 244/2019, arts. 3.a and 5.2.
What happens if I sell the home or change ownership?
Continuity or withdrawal of participation, updating of supply and, if applicable, new agreements must be regulated and processed. The economic rights over the installation are not automatically transferred by simply changing the electrical contract. RD 244/2019, arts. 4, 8 and 9; conditions of the project contract.
Can I unsubscribe at no cost?
It depends on the conditions of the service, the investment or financing and the applicable rules. Before contracting, duration, notice and possible settlements must be explained. There is no universal promise of “no permanence” for participating in self-consumption. RDL 1/2007, arts. 60, 62 and 97 where applicable.
Does a community of owners need unanimity?
There is no general requirement of unanimity for all solar installations. Most of the economic effects depend on the agreement and the applicable regime. Horizontal Property Law, art. 17.
Is self-consumption compatible with the social bonus?
Self-consumption does not exclude it by itself. The requirements of the social bonus and the required hiring must be maintained; It is advisable to review any offer that involves changing markets or distributors. RD 244/2019 contemplates billing with compensation for vulnerable consumers. Article 14.6.