Save more with a solar kit of 4, 6 or 8 solar panels

Solar kits are an easy and safe way to install your own solar panels at home, and generate solar power for self consumption. Like plugin kits, a solar kit includes the same quality components and is easy to install yourself. But with a solar kit of 4, 6 or 8 solar panels you will produce significantly more solar energy. This makes you save more on your power bill, also if your family’s energy consumption is higher.

How do solar kits work?

Solar installations are often associated with bigger photovoltaic installations on roofs and fields, that are installed by specialized installation companies. Robinsun solar kits are an alternative to these installations if all you need are 4 to 8 solar panels, or a maximum of 3 kW. They offer the same ease of installation like the smaller plugin solar kits, allowing you to set up the installation yourself in a short time. But solar kits are not bound to the 800 W limit of their smaller plugin type.

What is the difference between a plugin solar kit, a solar kit and a rooftop installation?

To better understand the differences between a plugin solar kit, a solar kit and a rooftop installation, here is an overview of the main differentiating factors.

A plugin solar kit is an installation of max 800 W output, that you can easily install yourself at home. You can connect it directly to your home’s socket and start generating solar power for self consumption on the spot. A plugin solar kit easily covers the needs of a family of up to 3 people, especially if living in an apartment.

A solar kit exceeds the 800 W limit and produces up to 3,2 kW with 8 solar panels. It offers the exact same high quality components as our plugin kits and comes complete with everything you need for your installation. Beware that you cannot connect it yourself though, a professional needs to do this.

A larger rooftop installation needs to be planned, installed and connected by a professional installation company. These installations are generally customized to special installation requirements and much bigger outputs (over 3 kW). Due to high demand it can be challenging to find an installer for a rooftop installation. Especially if you don’t need 5 kW or more, wait times can be longer, quality of components and installation isn’t always guaranteed and costs vary wildly.

With a solar kit, you control the quality of your components, the cost and speed of your installation, and only need a professional to connect your solar kit in the end. This saves you time and money, without compromising on quality and safety. And it makes your planning and installation process much more transparent and manageable for you.

Components of a solar kit

A solar kit is composed of the same components as our plugin kits.

Top quality solar panels are the same as for our plugin kits, and of much higher quality than many rooftop installers usually offer. Check out our latest models of mono-glass and bifacial solar panels.

We use the same Tsun 800 W micro inverters for 2 solar panels each for our solar kits, connecting them in series (daisy chain). This creates a resilient and flexible installation, optimizing the performance of each solar panel even if others are temporarily shaded or dirty. Direct WiFi connectivity makes monitoring your solar kit’s production easy with a mobile app.

Highest quality mounts guarantee a lasting installation and stability of your solar kit. Cables and accessories are of the same superior quality as in our plugin kits, and make sure you can install your solar kit yourself easily.

Beware that while you can install your solar kit yourself, to connect it to the grid you need a professional installer, that will also make sure your installation is compliant with any local regulations.

A solar kit offers many advantages over a plugin kit, primarily due to its increased production capacity of up to 3.200 W. Plugin kits are capped at 800 W and ideal for smaller households. But a solar kit allows you to generate significantly more energy for bigger households. This results in greater savings on your power bills and a stronger impact on your electricity consumption. This higher output enhances all the benefits of a plugin kit, taking your energy independence, cost savings, and sustainability efforts to new levels.

A solar kit offers an efficient alternative to large PV systems, especially in times of high demand for renewable energy and rising electricity prices. Large PV systems require professional contractors for planning and installation. These can be costly and challenging to schedule due to limited availability. Solar kits provide a practical solution, allowing you to manage the planning, setup, and installation yourself. You also control the cost of your installation yourself. Unlike traditional PV systems, where a quote may only be available after an on-site assessment, you know the cost of your solar kit the moment you buy it. Since you install the kit yourself, there will also be no additional labor cost. Only the final connection to your home’s electrical system and the public grid requires a certified electrician. Robinsun offers this service in Spain at a fixed fee. Alternatively you can use your own certified installer to do this for you.

How big does my kit need to be?

Assuming you have no limits to installation space, as a rule of thumb in Southern Europe for every 1 kWp installed, you produce about 1.500 kWh/year. For example

• a 1,6 kW solar kit with 4 solar panels will produce approximately 2.400 kWh per year
• a 2,4 kW solar kit with 6 solar panels will produce approximately 3.600 kWh per year
• a 3,2 kW solar kit with 8 solar panels will produce approximately 4.800 kWh per year

You can calculate your possible production with our Savings Calculator.

Take into account any possible future increase of your consumption, for example if you plan to install a heat pump, EV charger or electric water boiler. For your orientation

• An EV consumes about 18 kWh per 100 km
• A heat pump consumes 27 to 42 kWh per square meter per year, depending on your home’s insulation and energy efficiency
• A warm water boiler requires 600 to 800 kWH per year per person

And finally, remember that you will not use all your production on the spot. Immediate self consumption on the spot can vary between 30% and 70%, depending on how aligned your electricity consumption is with your solar kits production times.

Feed-in compensation

To install a solar kit exceeding 800 W, it is mandatory to register it. In most European countries, you can get compensation for any energy you feed into the grid. How easy it is to get, and how much you will be paid, varies based on local regulations and energy providers. The compensation can consist of payments per kWh or by offsetting the surplus against your future energy consumption. This method is often referred to as a "virtual battery", though it does not involve a physical battery, or net metering. You might want to check with your power company what compensation they can offer you for your installation.

When choosing your solar kit, your living situation is crucial. Where can you install, how much space and what mounting options are available to you? In which direction would the system face or how long does the sun shine in that spot? Perhaps you have a sloping roof with enough space, but because of the orientation, the sun doesn't shine on it for long. Instead, you may have a garden, terrace or pergola with plenty of space facing south.

These factors are crucial when choosing the right mount. Because only the right system in the right place enables optimal solar energy yields. It also plays a role whether you live in an apartment or a house and whether you own or rent. In a house with a garden, shed or garage, there are more options for accommodation than in an apartment. But you can also install a solar system in an apartment and as a tenant. As a tenant, you should consult with the owner in advance if the mount will make changes to the building structure.

Flat roof/garden/terrace

Our Flat 20° mounts allow solar systems to be set up on any flat surfaces or structure with a lot of sunshine to generate solar energy. Most commonly this is a terrace, flat roof or garden. Without permanent attachment; they are secured with concrete bricks that you can get in any DIY store. This kit is also often used for pergolas or carports, providing a quick and easy setup.

Tile roof

We offer special mounts for tile roofs that make installation easy and safe. The angle of your tile roof determines your kit's production. A bolted mount allows you to fix your solar panels to a tile roof with a robust mount that supports a solar panel in a landscape configuration. If you cannot move the tiles of your roof, you simply bolt the mount structure on your tiles for a safe and robust installation. A tile hook mount offers a no-drill solution for installing solar panels on tile roofs. This mount utilizes a tile hook that slides under your existing tiles, eliminating the need for drilling and preventing any damage to your tiles. To use this mount effectively, you'll need to be able to lift or adjust your tiles during installation.

Wall

Install your solar kit directly onto any wall at a 60º or 90º angle. The solar kit includes screws and dowels, making it easy to securely fix it to any brick or concrete wall. A 90° vertical angle effectively avoids the sail effect caused by strong winds. A 60° angle mount optimizes the energy production due to the inclination.

Basic

Our Basic solar kit comes without a mount and is perfect for DIY enthusiasts. It includes solar panels, micro inverters and cables to connect it. For self-constructed setups, you choose where and how to install it, and at what angle. Self-created mounts must ensure stability to withstand adverse weather conditions, such as high winds.

Anyone can manage the installation of solar kits themselves, including assembly and wiring. However, systems that exceed 800 W are no longer classified as plugin solar kits. As a result, these installations must be connected to the grid by a certified electrician. You cannot connect these yourself. This is regulated this way in all countries because a higher power output poses a safety risk. If something happens due to incorrect installation without professional supervision, claiming warranty benefits from the manufacturer could be impossible or even result in denied insurance claims in case of injury.

In almost every country in Europe there is some sort of incentive to install solar panels, ranging from VAT reductions, fiscal benefits to outright subsidies. All of these make your solar kit more affordable, cut back earnback periods and help you save more and faster on your power bills. As a result, the more families buy solar kits, the more we all as a society reduce our CO2 footprint and make our planet a better place to live in.

Spain offers tax deductions (IRPF, IBI) for energy efficiency improvements, with reductions from 20% to 60% depending on your energy savings, through the IDAE:

• Deduction of 20% for home improvement works that reduce energy demand or consumption by at least 7%.
• Deduction of 40% for home improvement works that reduce non-renewable primary energy consumption by at least 30%.
• Deduction of 60% for works carried out by homeowners in buildings to reduce non-renewable primary energy consumption by at least 30%.

To qualify, two certificates are needed to prove energy efficiency before and after your installation.

Also, some regions or local administrations offer subsidies for solar installations. Contact us to find out what is available in your region.

In Portugal, the VAT on solar kits is reduced to just 6%, down from the standard 23%, making solar energy more accessible.