Frequently asked questions about solar energy
The most direct answers to what people ask us most about solar panels, photovoltaic systems, batteries, permits, and financing. Don't see your question? Write to us.
Cost & investment
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
The cost depends on the capacity you need, the equipment you choose, and whether you include a backup battery. We don't work with generic pricing: we design every system around your real electricity bill and the conditions of your property, and we hand you a detailed financial model before you commit to anything.
How long until I recover my investment?
The typical payback runs from 4 to 7 years for residential systems and 3 to 6 years for commercial ones, depending on your electricity rate, your consumption, and the system configuration. After payback, the remaining 18-20 years of the system's service life are pure savings.
Are there financing options?
Yes. We offer four options and we'll advise you on which one fits your situation best:
- Direct purchase.
- Traditional bank credit.
- Green credit from Banca para el Desarrollo or banks with a sustainable line (BAC, BN, Promerica).
- Leasing, operating or financial, for companies.
How it works
How does distributed generation work?
Law 10086 (2022) enables distributed generation: you install a grid-connected solar system, generate your own electricity, and the surplus you don't use is fed back into the grid. Your meter measures net consumption. In practice, in many cases your monthly bill drops to the minimum connection charge.
What happens during a power outage?
If you have an on-grid system without batteries, the inverter automatically disconnects for safety (the code requires it). If you want to keep power during outages, you need a system with a backup battery (hybrid).
Do they work on cloudy or rainy days?
Yes, though with reduced output. A completely overcast day generates between 10% and 25% of what it would on a sunny day. The system is sized using the annual average irradiation for your specific location, so those low days are offset by peak ones.
What's the difference between on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid?
- On-grid: connected to the grid, no batteries. Surplus goes to the grid and there's no backup during outages. It has the best payback.
- Off-grid: disconnected from the grid, with batteries. Full independence, but a higher investment.
- Hybrid: connected to the grid plus batteries. The best of both: you sell surplus and you have backup during outages.
Permits & regulation
Do I need permits to install solar panels?
Yes, but we handle the paperwork for you. Any system that connects to the grid needs an interconnection permit: basically, the authorization for your system to work together with the electrical grid. Large commercial projects sometimes require a few extra permits. In every case, Bee Energy manages the entire process from start to finish — all you do is sign.
How long does the interconnection process take?
For a typical residential project, 30 to 60 days from application to authorization to operate. For mid-sized commercial projects, 60 to 120 days depending on the complexity and the paperwork load.
Maintenance & warranties
What maintenance do the panels require?
Minimal. Annual or semi-annual cleaning (depending on the area — coastal or dusty zones need it more often), an annual electrical inspection, and continuous generation monitoring. Bee Energy offers maintenance plans ranging from basic to fully customized.
How long do solar panels last?
- Panels: 25-30 year warranty (keeping ≥84% of their output at year 25) and a real service life of 30-35 years.
- Inverter: 10-12 year warranty; usually replaced once during the system's life.
- LiFePO4 batteries: 6,000-10,000 cycles, about 15-20 years of typical residential use.
What brands do you use?
- Panels: JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Longi Solar (all Tier 1).
- Inverters: Sol-Ark, Fox ESS, SMA, Victron.
- Batteries: Pytes, Fox ESS, Victron.
We don't use Tier 2 brands, or equipment without manufacturer support in the region or without UL certification.
Coverage & service
Which areas of Costa Rica do you install in?
Across the entire country: all 7 provinces. We have projects up and running in Alajuela, Heredia, San José (Santa Ana), Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo), Puntarenas (Monteverde, Osa), and Limón (Guápiles). We also operate in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador for commercial and industrial projects.
Didn't find your question?
Write to us and we'll gladly answer any question about your solar project. We reply in under 24 business hours.