Hi I understand it's common for remote properties to have this instead of mains electricity. I am interested in a property near the beach in Oliva that has it and it also has it's own well. I just wondered if this is common in a less rural area. I would also like to know if anyone else has this set up and are they happy with it.
The property is half way between the beach and the Village.
Thanks
Daniel

Are the panels properly registered for TAX. If they are not and the Hacienda find them you can be fined up to €30 million. They are difficult to hide and the tax police do regular overflights and compare recent photos to find solar pv, swimming pools and extensions.

It's common around here, although many people are still waiting to see if they'll get clobbered by the proposed tax on self-generated energy.

If you aren't inclined in such things, you should consult a professional, as there are a lot of things to consider. But if you understand this stuff, you can save thousands.

We (well, my BH) did some research previously, and found that the bits are about half the price they were just 5 years ago, and twice as efficient now.

The important thing is not to underestimate your supply requirements. Many people believe they can get away with a 2.5Kw watt (rated) system, but only find that it quickly falls short of their needs, especially during periods of limited sunlight.

We had chosen a 5000 watt system with a 3000 watt backup generator. Suitable electric-start generators can be had for as little as €500.

The most important piece in the entire system is choosing an appropriate an inverter that can automatically start a generator when needed, and having a generator with electric start. The better inverters in that range can cost as much as €2000, but you can get away with as little as €1000 for the cheap chinese units.

The second most important bit is the batteries. It's a special type - named something like "deep charge cycle". You need an array of them, at least 200 ampere hours, but realistically, 300-500 amper-hours will help take up slack when the solar isn't generating much power, and help keep the generator from switching on in the middle of the night. We learned that sourcing batteries locally is usually a lot cheaper than having them shipped in from elsewhere.

Lastly, the solar panels. You need lots of those, too. But at wholesale prices, you can get a suitable array for less than a couple thousand Euros. I've seen crates of 10 high-efficiency units offered wholesale for as little as €500. But more is always better. The mounting for them is also a bit expensive, and it needs to be rock solid to prevent wind damage. It comes down to how much space you have to dedicate.

The rest is all technical stuff - setting up the array, wiring it all up, using the right cable types, housing the batteries safely, installing the mounts for the panel array, etc.

You need to research what is best for your needs, but all I can say is that it's far too easy to underestimate what you need, even if you know what you're doing. Better to work with a professional if you can afford it.

Thank you so much for that detailed reply. It's actually my parents that are wanting to buy and although they would like to save the planet by going green not if it means being taxed heavily and not having the power they require. Properties they have looked at online seem to have some panels but not a great deal so they would be lucky to heat the pool with it : P

Some years back, well before the crisis I had a client out in the sticks who was on solar and standby. The genny was in the region of £8000 and his array of batteries panels etc. was enormous.

He had this property €1million+ on the market for many years until he finally connected to the grid when it sold almost immediately.

You wouldn't use solar electricity to heat a pool anyway. Far better to do it with solar water panels and pump the water through them. There are panels available specifically for pools.

Also, you'd want gas or oil heating in the house, and a gas hob - not electric - you can't generate enough solar power for that. Air conditioning is also not likely to comfortably work for long unless you have a massive solar farm.

If you already have electric service to the house, you can also use that as a "backup" to your solar, saving you a lot on electric bills. Unless of course, they decide to clobber you for being "green".

It's sad that we are encouraged to go green to apparantly save the environment then are taxed for doing so. In the end it all comes down to governments wanting your money. I think I will encourage my parents to find somewhere with mains water and electricity as they don't need hassle in their twilight years

You ought to be aware that IF the rail link between Denia and Gandia ever gets off the ground, one of the routes it might take (along with station) is between Oliva and Oliva Playa

I think I know the area you mean, as we used to do a Sunday walk around there. Little villas with a bit of land. Quite frankly, if it's for your parents then there are a lot safer areas to look for them. It's a bit "quiet" in some of the areas there, no street lights, and not particularly secure

Yes my thoughts as well & also why buy a place with "no mains" when there is shed loads of good property around the area with mains.

Thank you all for your help. I totally agree and have told them I don't think is worth the risk even if the properties are much cheaper. I will continue to help them look in the Oliva region but will be careful about which part it's in and make sure it has electricity and water connected by mains.
Thank you

I lived in Tossal Gros, up on the hillside overlooking Gandia / Oliva. It's actually a lovely place to live, but unfortunately you need a car because it's 10 minutes from Oliva, and the Restaurant / Bar up there has now closed down.

But, great views and very peaceful.

If I were going to buy in Oliva now (I'm guessing I'm in your parents age bracket), I'd be looking at property just on the main road from Oliva to Oliva Playa on the immediate right. Some nice villas there, and still close enough to walk to Oliva. I think any further towards Oliva Playa in that "void" would be unwise.

Failing that theres a few little villages nearby, such as La Font D'en Carros and Potries.

Can you point me out to some official source of this law? We live in a solar powered house (though here is no possibility to connect electricity). I would like to read about it.

For me it's very hard to believe to be fined "up to 30 million" for a normal household who put up some solar panels. (even if they are in range of electric lines)

Let me tell you why: let's have the hypothetical situation where I have a house worth €100.000, and other worldly valuables of another €50.000. Now how on earth can the Hacienda fine me "up to €30 million" because there is no way I would be able to pay that fine. Not now and not in my next 5 lives. They can even throw me in jail, sell me as parts I would still not be able to get even close to that "up to €30 millions". 3000 fine? Yeah maybe. It sounds more like scare tactics to me, than anything else. And probably the line is written in a way to "read" the huge amount, and possibly scare away people who would consider putting up solar panels.

The reason for the proposed tax is (officially) to pay for the €billions in back-subsidies owed to the energy companies to compensate for the government-regulated tariffs which are supposed to keep the cost of energy low for Spanish consumers (who ironically pay some of the world's highest tariffs).

But being that the entire regulation is an obvious scam to line the pockets of energy companies, I have to believe the proposed tax is nothing more than a tactic to slow or eliminate the increasing trend of self-generated energy to get away from expensive government-complicit Spanish energy producers.

I agree, however I think the properties are relatively expensive compared to other parts of Oliva but if money is not a problem that's a good choice.

Interestingly I am awaiting to complete on a flat at Oliva Playa to augment our house in town. When viewing various areas at the Playa I looked at a house in a residential area that sits behind Kiko. I quite liked the area as it was close to the marina etc.,however the house needed too much work. That area may suit the OP's parents.
I also spoke to an English guy who works in Kiko and he thought it was a safe area as Kiko is occupied all through the year.
Incidentally he also recently got fined for unauthorised work on his house in town following a helicopter surveillance operation.

I think this 'up to' number is as others have said just a scare tactic. and may have been misunderstood as far as who it applies to. It's maybe to stop new companies feeding in at a high tarriff. I know from personal experience they can tax you and fine you for this that and the other and even put their hands in your bank and take out what they want. But surely self generated electricity for just simple household use can't be fined. I feel sure it would be illegal under EU law. However things seem to get 'dirtier and dirtier'. the more the squeeze is put on government income from rich people above and the unable-to-pay below.