After a year of operations, Robinsun, led by Boris Hageney, has taken a key role in a European initiative to unify regulations for plug-and-play solar kits and create a European market that allows their expansion “without unnecessary barriers.”

The company’s proposal highlights the urgency of having a free and accessible certification, the inalienable right to install these kits without obstacles, and the reduction of VAT to 0% across the EU.

These measures aim to boost self-consumption throughout Europe and democratize access to solar energy, especially in Spain, where regulatory barriers hinder its growth, according to the executive.

“We propose a product that keeps facing obstacles,” Hageney states in an interview with Energía Estratégica España.

In Spain, the adoption of plug-and-play solar kits faces significant hurdles that limit their expansion despite the country’s solar potential.

Among these obstacles is the expensive and fragmented certification process in each Autonomous Community, which adds costs and bureaucracy to the registration process.

In some regions, the certification cost can reach up to 500 euros, including the Electrical Installation Certificate (CIE), a requirement that, although designed for large-scale installations, is also demanded for these lower-cost kits, creating a disproportionate economic barrier for consumers.

Hageney notes that in regions like Extremadura, fees of up to 78 euros are imposed, and in others like Madrid and Aragón, the involvement of certified installers is required, further raising the costs.

“In Spain, installing a plug-and-play solar kit can cost up to 500 euros in certification and permits, which is disproportionate for a product that costs between 300 and 800 euros,” he warns.

In contrast, countries like Portugal, while facing their own challenges, do not apply registration fees.

Additionally, users must obtain permits from neighbors or property owners to install a solar kit in their homes, a requirement that limits access to self-consumption, especially in apartment communities and rental properties.

This is further compounded by the high VAT of 21%, which contrasts with the 0% applied in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where the adoption of solar kits has increased significantly. Reducing these barriers would facilitate the transition to cleaner and more affordable energy, democratizing access to self-consumption in Spain.

According to the founder of Robinsun, simplifying the sector would help avoid environmentally impactful measures, such as “offshore wind farms or large solar panel fields in rural areas.”

In this regard, he highlights that Europe is already working on suggesting new measures that would allow for greater adoption of these technologies, and the proposals are:

Free and Accessible Certification for Plug-and-Play Solar Kits

Robinsun’s primary demand is a single European registry that facilitates the installation of solar kits without the need to pay fees or rely on intermediaries.

Right to Install Solar Kits Without Restrictions from Neighbors or Authorities

Hageney argues that this limitation prevents many families from accessing self-consumption and reducing their carbon footprint.

“Families should have the right to install these kits without justifying their decision to anyone,” he emphasizes, adding that any objection to such an installation must be supported by a valid technical argument in writing.

0% VAT to Promote Self-Consumption Across the European Union

Robinsun is also advocating for a reduction of VAT to 0% for plug-and-play solar kits across the EU, a measure already implemented in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria, where it has significantly boosted the sales of these products.

“In Portugal, where VAT is 6%, sales of solar kits have grown rapidly,” says Hageney, pointing out that Spain could benefit greatly from a zero VAT to incentivize the adoption of this technology.

Environmental Impact and Economic Savings for Households

Robinsun estimates that a Spanish household without a plug-and-play solar kit loses about 30 euros per month in energy savings, which represents 50% of their electricity bill.

In annual terms, the potential savings would be 358 euros and 0.41 tons of CO₂ per household, a significant figure in a country with nearly 19 million homes.

“If the use of these solar kits were generalized, Spain could reduce about 8 million tons of CO₂ annually,” says Hageney, who also argues that this measure would eliminate the need for environmentally impactful projects like offshore wind farms in Roses or large solar panel fields in rural areas, which today face considerable opposition from local communities.

Lack of Awareness in Spain

Despite the growing popularity of plug-and-play solar kits in countries like Germany and France, in Spain, the lack of information also hinders their adoption.

“Spain lacks a true culture of CO₂ reduction, and many households are subject to the fluctuations in electricity prices without exploring alternatives like self-consumption,” he says.

Towards Unified Self-Consumption Regulations in Europe

As the organization led by Robinsun moves forward with its collaboration with the European Initiative, Hageney insists on the need for harmonized regulations across the EU that remove bureaucratic barriers and enable the growth of the plug-and-play solar kit market.

“It is essential for EU Member States to take urgent action to allow all citizens to access clean energy solutions without unnecessary barriers,” concludes Hageney, clarifying that he is already in dialogue with European leaders to create applicable measures across the continent.