Apartment Solar - Fuengirola
4kW rooftop solar on a Fuengirola apartment block — community of owners approval under Article 17.4 LPH, shared roof access coordinated, CAU registered for individual autoconsumo surplus compensation.
By Ben Hayden
Project Overview
The Challenge: Shared Apartment Rooftop — Community of Owners Approval Required
Penthouse apartments present unique solar installation challenges: limited roof access rights, shared building structure, and community of owners rules that can block individual solar installations. This Fuengirola penthouse owner had the private use of the terrace roof above — ideal for panels — but the community statutes required approval for any rooftop works. We worked with the client's legal representative to establish that the solar installation qualified as a personal energy improvement within the owner's private terrace space, not a modification to common elements, enabling the project to proceed without a full community vote under Article 17.5 of the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal.
The Solution
4kW rooftop solar system for penthouse apartment. Optimized panel placement for maximum afternoon sun exposure.
Technical Specifications
- 8 x 500W Longi Hi-MO5 panels
- Huawei SUN2000-4KTL-L1 inverter
- Smart monitoring via mobile app
- Optimized east-west configuration
- Rapid shutdown safety system
Our Installation Process
Community Approval Route & Legal Framework
We reviewed the community statutes and confirmed that the installation within the owner's private terrace did not require a community vote under Article 17.5 Ley de Propiedad Horizontal. A formal written notification was sent to the community administrator (required under law) with 30 days for the community to raise objections to the routing of cables through common areas. No objections were raised, and we proceeded with installation.
Panel Layout & Structural Assessment
The terrace flat roof was structurally assessed for panel loading. 8 × 500W panels (4kW total) were arranged in a 20° tilt east-west split to avoid shading from the penthouse upper level and neighbouring building. The split east/west orientation reduces peak output versus a south-facing array but extends the productive hours from 07:00 to 19:00, better matching the owner's daytime-heavy consumption profile.
Installation & CAU Grid Registration
Panels were mounted on low-profile ballasted aluminium frames (no roof penetrations) with cable runs concealed in the terrace perimeter channel. The hybrid microinverter system was installed in the utility room directly below the terrace, connected to the apartment's existing single-phase 25A supply. CAU registration with Endesa was completed within 2 weeks of installation, enabling surplus energy export compensation.
Boletín Eléctrico, Monitoring & Owner Handover
The full Boletín Eléctrico covering the new solar circuit, microinverter, and consumer unit modifications was submitted to the Junta de Andalucía. The Hoymiles monitoring portal was set up on the owner's smartphone: the app shows daily generation by panel (microinverter advantage — individual panel performance visible), total energy generated to date, and estimated CO₂ savings. An alert was set for any panel generating below 50% of expected output for more than 3 consecutive days. The owner was also enrolled in Endesa's net compensation billing, ensuring that exported surplus appears as a credit on monthly invoices.
Results
See the installation scope and equipment below; no financial outcome is promised.
Backed by Research
References for checking the proposed design. These sources do not certify this project's performance, savings, eligibility or commissioning records.
Estimate solar yield for the actual site
Annual generation depends on location, orientation, tilt, shading and system losses. An irradiance figure is not a guaranteed yield per installed kilowatt. State the assumptions and compare the estimate with the property's consumption.
European Commission — PVGIS ↗Check the applicable self-consumption arrangement
RD 244/2019 regulates administrative, technical and economic conditions for self-consumption. Export compensation is subject to the applicable arrangement and contract; exported energy is not automatically valued at the retail import price.
BOE — RD 244/2019 ↗Tax relief needs separate eligibility checks
Do not assume solar qualifies for an income-tax deduction or a standard municipal IBI discount. Check current AEAT conditions and the property's municipal ordinance, required evidence, dates and application process before including an incentive in a budget.
Agencia Tributaria — current tax guidance ↗Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
LIT services in Fuengirola directly related to this work.
About the Author
Ben Hayden is an English speaking electrician and independent energy advisor based in Marbella, Spain, with over 15 years of electrical experience across Europe. He provides independent energy and electrical checks for overseas property owners and managers across the Costa del Sol — helping clients cut electricity bills, navigate Spanish regulations, and make confident decisions on solar PV, heat pump, EV charger and battery storage projects. Ben advises in plain English on projects where the paperwork is in Spanish and the stakes are high. His writing has appeared in ExpatArrivals, The Olive Press, Euro Weekly News, BuildingTalk and pv magazine.
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Quote ConfiguratorProject Details
- Location
- Fuengirola, Málaga
- Completed
- November 2025
- Service
- Solar
- Author
- Ben Hayden
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