Solar panels for homes
Your solar system should fit the way you live and use energy. That's why we start by understanding your situation, then design a solution that adapts to your home, reduces your exposure to electricity rate hikes, and generates savings from the very first month.
How much do you save with solar panels on a house?
It depends on three variables we assess during the technical visit: how much you consume today, which rate you're on (T-RE, T-MT, T-CB), and how much sun reaches your roof throughout the year. A well-sized system for the average Costa Rican family covers between 50% and 100% of the monthly bill.
In projects already up and running, households consuming ₡180.000 to ₡350.000 per month now pay between ₡15.000 and ₡40.000 — just the minimum connection charge plus the occasional surplus. The system generates the rest of the consumption, which is offset by the energy you feed back to the grid under the framework of Law 10086 on distributed generation.
The savings aren't theoretical: the day you plug in the system, your meter starts spinning differently.
Typical residential system sizes
| Monthly consumption | Suggested capacity | Approx. panels | Roof space |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₡100.000 - ₡180.000 | 3 - 5 kWp | 7 - 11 panels | 14 - 22 m² |
| ₡180.000 - ₡300.000 | 5 - 8 kWp | 11 - 17 panels | 22 - 35 m² |
| ₡300.000 - ₡500.000 | 8 - 12 kWp | 17 - 26 panels | 35 - 55 m² |
| ₡500.000+ | 12 - 20 kWp | 26 - 44 panels | 55 - 90 m² |
Reference figures. Your actual system is sized using data from your specific bill, your roof's tilt and orientation, and your geographic zone.
What a complete residential system includes
Photovoltaic panels
We work with recognized Tier 1 brands: JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Longi Solar. All come with a 12-year product warranty and a 25-30 year linear power warranty (they maintain ≥84% of generation at year 25). We don't use Tier 2 or unknown-origin brands — the panel is the 25-year investment, it's not where you cut corners.
Inverter
The brain of the system. It converts the direct current (DC) from the panels into alternating current (AC) for your home. We use SMA, Sol-Ark, or Fox ESS depending on the size and configuration. All include a web/app interface for real-time monitoring and automatic disconnection when the grid fails (a regulatory requirement).
Structure and mounting
Anodized aluminum with stainless steel hardware. Compatible with zinc, tile, concrete, or slab roofs. Structural calculations for Costa Rica's wind loads according to the current Seismic Code. If your roof needs reinforcement, we tell you before quoting — not after.
Real-time monitoring
The inverter's mobile app shows you daily generation, consumption, cumulative savings, and history. No subscription. If something stops working, we detect it remotely before you do.
Backup battery (optional)
If you want autonomy during power outages or want to self-consume your own nighttime generation, we add a storage system with LiFePO4 batteries (Pytes, Fox ESS, Victron). Typical residential capacities: 5 - 15 kWh. Learn more on our batteries and backup page.
More than 20 years
of free electricity
Once you've recovered your investment, you have 18-20 years of service life left that are pure savings. For homes, a typical payback is 4 to 7 years.
- Every electricity rate hike works in your favor: as the rate goes up, your system pays for itself faster and becomes more valuable.
- With financing, it pays for itself: the monthly payment is the same or less than your current bill. The difference is that in the end the system is yours.
- The more you consume today, the better: homes with consumption above ₡200.000/month can pay back in 4 years.
Want backup during outages? Battery systems have a slightly longer payback, but they aren't bought for the return — they're bought so you never lose power.
See financing options.
Residential success stories
Casa Arenas
Casa Amapolas
Casa Lote 52
Frequently asked questions — residential systems
How much does it cost to install solar panels on my house?
The cost depends on the capacity you need, the equipment selected, and whether you include a backup battery. We don't work with generic pricing: we design each system around your real bill and the conditions of your roof, and we deliver a proposal tailored to you. Reach out and we'll prepare it.
How long does it take to recover the investment?
Between 4 and 7 years for typical residential systems. After that, the next 18-20 years of the system's service life are savings.
What happens when the power goes out?
If you have an on-grid system (connected to the grid, without batteries), the inverter disconnects automatically for safety. If you want to keep power during outages, you need a system with a backup battery (hybrid). We evaluate it with you based on your tolerance for outages and your budget.
Do I need a permit to connect the system?
Yes. Every grid-connected system goes through an interconnection process under Law 10086 on distributed generation. We handle the entire process — you just sign the forms. It typically takes 30-60 days from the application to the authorization to operate.
Can my roof handle the panels?
A panel weighs ~20 kg and takes up ~2 m². Typical Costa Rican residential roofs (zinc, tile, concrete) support the load without a problem. During the technical visit we assess the roof structure and, if it needs reinforcement, we tell you before quoting. We don't install on compromised roofs — it's not worth the risk.
How long does a solar system last?
Panels have a linear warranty of 25-30 years (they maintain ≥84% of generation at year 25). The inverter has a 10-12 year warranty. LFP batteries are warrantied for 6,000-10,000 cycles (15-20 years of typical residential use).
Tired of watching your bill only go up?
With your electricity bill, we'll tell you exactly how much you could save with a solar system.
Message us directly: WhatsApp +506 8388 8818