☀️ Peak sun hours in Spain
Spain has excellent sun for Europe — roughly 4 to 5.5 peak sun hours. Andalusia and the south are highest; the green north lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Andalusia & the south | ~5.0 – 5.5 |
| Murcia, Valencia & the east | ~4.7 – 5.2 |
| Madrid & central Spain | ~4.5 – 5.0 |
| Catalonia & north-east | ~4.2 – 4.8 |
| Galicia & the north coast | ~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 Spain
Spanish households pay relatively high electricity prices — often around €0.20–€0.30 per kWh depending on tariff and time of day. With strong sun, self-consuming your own solar during the day avoids those expensive units and is the core of the savings.
💸 Incentives & net metering
Spain uses a self-consumption model with surplus compensation (compensación de excedentes) that credits the energy you export on your bill, plus regional subsidies and IBI (property-tax) rebates in many municipalities. The old "sun tax" was removed, which is what unlocked the boom. Check your region's current grants and your retailer's surplus rate.
💰 System cost & payback in Spain
Typical residential prices, roughly €1,200–€1,800 per kWp installed:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kWp | ~€4,000 – 6,000 | Typical home, self-consumption |
| 5 kWp | ~€6,000 – 9,000 | Larger home / higher use |
| 5 kWp + battery | ~€9,000 – 14,000 | Store day power for evening |
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: Spain
Spain rewards self-consumption: because surplus is compensated at a lower rate than you pay for grid power, the best returns come from using your own solar during the day (appliances, pool pumps, AC) rather than exporting it. In the sunny south a well-sized system often pays back in about 5–8 years, faster than most of Europe.
🧰 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 Spain get?
About 4 to 5.5. Andalusia and the south are highest (~5–5.5), while the northern coast (Galicia) is lower at ~3.6–4.2.
Is solar worth it in Spain?
Yes — high electricity prices plus strong sun give a typical payback of about 5–8 years, faster in the south. Self-consumption drives the savings.
Does Spain pay you for solar you export?
Yes, through surplus compensation (compensación de excedentes) credited on your bill, usually at a lower rate than you pay for grid power. Many regions add subsidies and property-tax rebates.
How much do solar panels cost in Spain?
Roughly €1,200–€1,800 per kWp, so about €4,000–€6,000 for a 3 kWp system. Get local quotes.
Note: Spanish electricity prices, surplus-compensation rates and regional subsidies change over time. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify locally.