Selling surplus solar energy in Spain
Selling surplus solar energy
At Trébol Energía we help clients sell their surplus solar energy back to the grid. Our advice is aimed at one thing: that you get the best price for the energy you export and that the system pays for itself.
How is solar energy sold?
One of the benefits of self-consumption with solar panels is being able to sell the surplus. Any energy you generate but do not use can be returned to the grid, with compensation as set out in Royal Decree 244/2019.
Types of solar export in Spain
Owners of self-consumption solar installations can choose between three arrangements:
Surplus without simplified compensation
This lets you return unused energy to the grid. There is no compensation as such, but the electricity you export is valued at the market price of the moment.
Requires a high-voltage connection and generation above 100 kW.
This is the category solar energy providers fall into, given the volumes they generate.
You must register as an energy producer in RAIPRE, the administrative register of electricity generation facilities.
Communities, estates and companies can sell solar energy to the grid at the current market price.
The legal side is involved, so our consultancy is there to make claiming this arrangement simpler.
To qualify for compensation you need:
An activity licence issued by the corresponding town council.
Registration with the tax authority to report solar energy sales.
A signed solar energy sales agreement and a representation contract.
Simplified compensation with surplus
This is open to companies and communities wanting to sell solar energy to the grid. It is straightforward, but it comes with conditions:
You receive a discount on the electricity bill rather than a payment for the surplus.
The discount sits among the variable billing items, so it only applies against consumption.
Discounts do not carry over from one month to the next.
Qualifying for this compensation involves two requirements:
Having a renewable energy source.
Final capacity must not exceed 100 kW and the installation must be connected to a low-voltage line.
Compensation without surplus
This last option is designed for organised groups on shared self-consumption. It is a variant of simplified compensation, except the group of installations cannot sell solar energy to the grid. Each owner is responsible for their own system, and the electricity supplier takes on the sale of the surplus.
Selling solar energy in Barcelona
Selling solar energy in Barcelona opens up real savings and a more sustainable footing. Our specialists guide you through every step, from the initial assessment to installing solar solutions built around your home or business.
With our experience and commitment to green innovation, our solar energy services cut your long-term costs and let you contribute to a cleaner future. Gain energy independence, reduce your carbon footprint and make the most of solar energy in Barcelona.
How profitable is solar energy?
At present a four-panel system typically reaches average profitability after seven or eight years. Depending on the installation, medium-term savings run between 20% and 40%. To get the most out of this kind of investment, certain conditions have to be met:
Avoiding long-term financing is the surest way to keep the final cost down.
The panel array should deliver an average performance ratio of 0.6.
The installation should face south, at the appropriate tilt angle.
Optimal generation depends on keeping the equipment properly maintained.
The advantages of solar energy
Whether you want to sell solar energy to the grid, improve your company’s energy efficiency or lean into self-consumption, it is worth keeping the benefits of the technology in view:
It is a clean and inexhaustible energy source.
It saves on operating and electricity costs.
It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and your carbon footprint.
Unlike other green alternatives, it can also be used for heating.
It supports a gradual move away from the central grid and enables off-grid projects.
It helps conserve natural resources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Frequently asked questions about selling surplus solar energy
What does selling surplus solar energy mean?
Any surplus energy your solar panels produce can be returned to the grid, with compensation as set out in Royal Decree 244/2019.
What are the advantages of selling surplus solar energy?
Several. It turns energy you generate but do not use into additional income. It feeds clean energy into the grid, supporting the shift towards a greener energy mix. And it can build up energy credits to draw on when generation is lower, which adds flexibility and stability to your supply.
How much is 1 kW of solar energy worth?
There is no single answer: the market price changes daily. As a reference point, the nominal value sits around €0.06/kWh. It depends on the supplier you have a contract with and on how well the terms are negotiated — which is where we can help you secure the best rate.
How do you calculate the return on solar panels?
Three elements matter: the size of your electricity bill, the installation cost, and the break-even or payback point. The basic calculation rests on two parameters: – The exact period until the investment is paid back. – The break-even point, which tracks the saving on the electricity bill. Compare what you currently pay for electricity against what you expect to save through self-consumption, set that against the installation cost, and you have the time it will take before the investment starts paying off. Above 256 W (four panels), expect a break-even point beyond eight years.