☀️ Peak sun hours in Portugal
Egypt gets outstanding sun — roughly 5.5 to 6.5 peak sun hours. Upper Egypt and the desert are highest; the Delta and north coast a little lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Alentejo & Algarve | ~5.2 – 5.8 |
| Lisbon | ~4.6 – 5.1 |
| Porto & the north | ~4.1 – 4.6 |
| Azores | ~3.6 – 4.2 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Portugal
Household electricity runs roughly €0.22–0.30 per kWh depending on your supplier and time-of-use plan — among the higher EU rates.
💸 Incentives & net metering
Portugal's UPAC regime (Upgrades for Self-Consumption) removed licensing for systems under 1 MW and lets small exports be compensated. The environmental fund (Fundo Ambiental) runs periodic subsidies for residential PV-plus-battery, and VAT on panels and batteries was cut to 6%.
💰 System cost & payback in Portugal
Local installation is relatively affordable; payback keeps improving:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~€4,200 – 5,800 | Small home |
| 5 kW | ~€6,500 – 8,800 | Typical family home |
| 10 kW | ~€12,000 – 16,000 | Large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Portugal
Portugal's Atlantic edge is the local wildcard: coastal fog and sea salt eat uncoated frames within a few summers, so specify anodized or marine-rated aluminium near the coast. The Alentejo is Europe's sunniest large region — systems there outperform their German-style sizing by 30%. And the 6% VAT cut applies only to equipment properly invoiced under the reduced rate; owners who accept 'standard' invoices lose 19 points on every euro.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: solar panels in hot climates, how many panels to run a house, and peak sun hours by location.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Portugal get?
Roughly 3.6 to 5.8. The Alentejo and Algarve are Europe-class (~5.2–5.8), Lisbon around 4.6–5.1, and the rainy north about 4.1–4.6.
Is solar worth it in Portugal?
Yes — high EU retail rates, 6% VAT on equipment and the simple UPAC regime bring payback to roughly 4–7 years.
Does Portugal have net metering?
Portugal uses a simplified self-consumption regime (UPAC): exports from small systems are compensated monthly, with no licensing under 1 MW.
How much does solar cost in Portugal?
Roughly €1,300–1,800 per kW installed for a typical home system.
Note: Portugal electricity tariffs, net-metering rules and prices change frequently (and with the currency). These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with your utility and a local installer.