FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How does solar power work?
The utilization of solar energy is based on an inexhaustible source of renewable energy and which operates under the principle of electromagnetic radiation (sunlight) which focuses on certain areas in order to heat some substance (water, for example), or to convert this energy into electricity through a process cindução.
What is the difference between a panel of solar thermal and a photovoltaic solar panel?
In the solar panel, which is the demand for heating water for domestic consumption, while the photovoltaic solar panel, the aim is to produce electricity for their own use and / or sale to the grid.
There is danger associated with the operation of this equipment in our own home?
There is no danger associated with these technologies, if the facilities are certified, met the legal requirements and with the advantage of permit applications for benefits provided by the Government.
How do you make the connection to the network to sell electricity?
To have secured the sale of electricity to the grid will have to follow a set of procedures, including: registration of SRM Geology authorization (with fee), survey after installation. Only after approval may require the installation of network connection in order to sell the energy produced.
More information, see DL No. 363/2007, of November 2 (Diploma of Microgeneration).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION - Renewable Energy
What is the capacity sufficient for the needs of a family?
The production capacity has to do with the type of building, but also with the investment that the Customer will conduct, and in the case of hot water (solar thermal) will account for a significant portion of these needs (50 to 75% ). In the case of solar photovoltaic capacity is intrinsically linked to the contracted power with your electricity supplier and can install up to 50% of the contracted power, with a maximum of 3.68 kW to take the maximum bonus. This power should be installed in our opinion, not used for own consumption, but to complete sales network, thus ensuring your return on investment in the shortest possible time.
What are the conditions for the installation of solar panels?
The basic requirement is to have a surface (at least between 2 and 6m2) facing south and free of shadows, that sun exposure is the maximum possible. All other constraints (eg available space for placement of storage tank water heaters, plumbing exists or not) relate to each specific installation.
What are the conditions for the installation of photovoltaic panels?
Basically, are the same as the previous item or surface is facing south (in this case between 20 and 40m2) and lack of shading. All other items are defined in each case.
The panels must be installed at the same time?
No, only if you want to sell the network in accordance with DL 363/2007.
Not require or works at home and what kind of work?
May require some minor operations, depending on the type of construction and that can only be mentioned in detail, after technical visit to the local budget for the installation.
What is the weight of the panels - or are not easily supported by the roof?
In principle, any roof house is prepared to support the loads on the weight of the panels. Anyway, this aspect is always assessed at the time of the technical visit.
The weights of the panels to be installed depend on the technology chosen and can vary between 14 and 23 kg each.
Occupy that area?
Depends on the solution you choose. May vary between 25 and 80 square meters.
The panels may be installed on the roof?
In the case of solar panels they should be fitted to a high point, as is the roof. In the case of photovoltaic panels can be installed on level ground or in any other area available with the features mentioned (south and lack of shading).
What is the lifetime of the equipment?
For the case of solar thermal panels estimated a lifetime between 12 and 15 years if properly maintained. In the case of solar panels fotovolaicos, the guarantee of performance (80% of original) reaches age 20.
What is the guarantee that gives FactorENERGIA?
The guarantees are established by law. The FactorENERGIA offers conditions of installation and maintenance organizations.
The equipment requires maintenance or not?
It requires little maintenance, and basically cleaning and minor refinements (retightening and acceptance certificates) system.
Who does this maintenance?
To guarantee smooth operation of the installation, we recommend you opt for FactorENERGIA.
INFORMATION OFFICER - Renewable Energy
What is the Diploma of Microgeneration?
It is a Decree Law on Government, published in the Official Gazette, which establishes, among other things, the possibility of consumer electricity contract with Low Voltage (LV), can sell electricity to the grid, provided that produced by a unit Micro-generation based on renewable sources.
What is the process to become micro-producers?
Just send us e-mail or FAX a copy of your receipt of electricity that we start the process. You must register with the http://www.renovaveisnahora.pt managed by DGGE - Directorate General for Energy and Geology, known as SRM, and make your purchase of microgeneration units.
What are the incentives for renewable energy installation, in addition to the tax benefits?
Basically, the advantage lies in the opportunity to sell electricity to the grid at a price much higher than that to which is usually purchased.
How can we sell power to the public?
After registration, licensing, acquisition, installation and certification of microgeneration units, its power generation unit will be connected to the network and the value of all monthly production is transferred by the Electricity Company for your bank account.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION - Energy Certification
The new legislation on the thermal performance and energy efficiency in buildings and energy certification is already in full force?
Regulation Characteristics of Thermal Performance of Buildings (RCCTE), approved by Decree-Law No. 80/2006 of April 4, and Regulation of Energy Systems and HVAC of Buildings (RSECE), approved by Decree-Law No. º 79/2006 of April 4, already in force since July 4, 2006. This implies that all projects submitted in this context, the licensing authorities (and even projects not subject to licensing or authorization), must comply with new regulatory requirements and include chips made for this purpose.
As for the National Certification System of Energy Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (SCE), its application follows the schedule set in Decree No. 461/2007 of 5 June. This set that are covered by the system:
- New buildings for housing with floor area over 1000 m2 and service buildings, new or undergoing major refurbishment, whose floor area exceeds 1,000 m2 or 500 m2, depending on the typology, which application for a permit or authorization for construction have been submitted to the Authority from July 1, 2007;
- All new buildings regardless of their area or purpose, whose application for a permit or authorization for construction have submitted to the Authority from July 1, 2008;
- All buildings from January 1, 2009.
What buildings are covered by the National Energy Certification of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (SCE)?
Are covered by the SCE following buildings:
- New buildings and existing ones undergoing major rehabilitation interventions, whose cost exceeds 25% of the building, calculated at current base of 630 € / m2 under RCCTE RSECE and whether or not subject to licensing or authorization, and the entity responsible for licensing or authorization, if applicable;
- Existing service buildings with a floor area of 1.000m2 the upper deck, subject to periodic audits every six years (energy) or 2, 3 or 6 years (indoor air quality) as specified in RSECE;
- Existing buildings for housing and services when concluding contracts for the sale and leasing, including leasing, where the owner must provide the prospective buyer, lessee or tenant the certificate issued under the ESA.
What are considered new buildings and existing buildings for the purposes of the ESA?
Specifically for the purposes of the ESA (which is different from the application of the Building regulations and RSECE), it is considered as a new building, whose date the permit application or building permit (commonly architectural design), the entity licensor, is after the date of entry into force of the ESA. By contrast, an existing building is one whose entry has been requested prior to entry into force of the ESA.
For example, a house whose initial entry of the application for building permit, dictated by the delivery of architectural design in the House, occurred in April 2008, but has to comply with the Building regulations, is considered an existing building and is not subject to the ESA , ie does not require the intervention of a qualified expert in both phases of licensing (construction and use). If the entry of architecture had occurred after July 1, 2008, previously considered as a new building and both the project and the work (at least the end of it) would have to be checked by a qualified expert.
Whether considered new or existing before the system, from 2009 any building must have a valid certificate on the sale, rental or lease.
What is the validity of an energy certificate?
- Residential: 10 years;
- Services: 2, 3, 6 or 10 years, depending on whether it is subject to audit and what is their periodicity.
Who asks an energy certificate?
The responsibility to obtain the certificate is the promoters or owners of buildings.
Who checks for energy certificates?
For new buildings and existing ones undergoing major rehabilitation interventions:
- Entity responsible for the licensing or authorization to construct and / or use (usually the municipal council).
For existing buildings:
- Lawyers, chambers of commerce and industry, notaries, registration services and solicitors, when concluding contracts of sale and lease.
The energy certificate is unique for the entire building, or is issued for each installment?
The purpose of certification is, in principle, each one of the smallest units of the building that may be available for sale, lease or otherwise transfer the contract of space, including the lease, which correspond generally to units set up or likely to be formed.
In the case of office buildings, the whole building, composed by all the respective units, can also, together or separately with these units or portions of the building, be subject to certification.
You must obtain a new certificate each time you sell or lease a building?
No, while the existing certificate is valid will not be necessary to issue a new one. If the certificate is already available out of date, so having it will be sought from an expert as its new issue.
What are the factors that influence the energy performance of a dwelling?
Renewables
- Solar collectors or other
Walls and roofs
- Thermal insulation and inertia
Glazing
- Transmission thermal, shading, permeability to solar radiation and air frames, cutting, etc..
HVAC systems and DHW production
- Efficiency and fuel type
Ventilation
- Mechanical ventilation vs natural ventilation
Intakes with lighting and electrical equipment to include the energy class?
Only for buildings. In residential buildings, the classification depends on the needs of heating, cooling and production of hot water (DHW).
It is mandatory to implement improvement measures?
No, the measures are voluntary and represent opportunities that can be exploited by the owners, resulting in economic benefit in the short, medium or long term and / or improving the energy rating.
What is the advantage of having an energy certificate?
The certificate provides an analysis of higher or lower thermal quality of the property, expanding on its energy performance, providing consumer information on possible measures to improve performance, highlighting the economic viability.
In the case of buildings with energy rating A or A + brings tax benefits and local incentives on IRS and IMI.
What incentives exist for energy certification and the implementation of improvement measures?
The properties with energy class A + or A have an increase of 10% in deductions to the collection of charges related to interest and repayment of housing loans and improvement measures are supported by tax deduction at 30% of the amounts spent on purchasing equipment for renewable energy use and carrying out works to improve the conditions of the thermal behavior of buildings, which is a direct result of the increased isolation.
On the initiative of some authorities, there are measures that encourage energy efficiency in buildings belonging to their geographic area, such as the municipality of Lisbon, where it is possible to reduce by 50% and 25% of the value of the Property Tax (IMI ) to submit certification of buildings with energy class A + or A, respectively.
What does it mean to be a building, for example, rated energy class A + or D?
The rating scale is relative efficiency of buildings, or the property is classified by comparing it to another property reference. The property that corresponds to that of reference, meeting the minimum requirements established by the regulations (and RCCTE RSECE), lies in the low energy class B-.
The class jumps correspond to increases or decreases of 50% in the case of Class A +, A, B and B-will be 25%.
Thus, a building with energy class D will have a potentially energy consumption between 50 and 100% higher than the reference building. Already an A + grade building with a potential consumption will not exceed 25% of consumption of reference. Translating this into costs for the energy bill, the owner of a building with energy class D would have a bill of more than 50% and twice in a building with B-class while a class A + this bill would be only 0-25% than it would if the building was B-.
How does solar power work?
The utilization of solar energy is based on an inexhaustible source of renewable energy and which operates under the principle of electromagnetic radiation (sunlight) which focuses on certain areas in order to heat some substance (water, for example), or to convert this energy into electricity through a process of induction.
 
What is the difference between a panel of solar thermal and a photovoltaic solar panel?
In the solar panel, which is the demand for heating water for domestic consumption, while the photovoltaic solar panel, the aim is to produce electricity for their own use and / or sale to the grid. 

There is danger associated with the operation of this equipment in our own home?
There is no danger associated with these technologies, if the facilities are certified, met the legal requirements and with the advantage of permit applications for benefits provided by the Government. 

How do you make the connection to the network to sell electricity?
To have secured the sale of electricity to the grid will have to follow a set of procedures, including: registration of SRM Geology authorization (with fee), survey after installation. Only after approval may require the installation of network connection in order to sell the energy produced. More information, see DL No. 363/2007, of November 2 (Diploma of Microgeneration). 


PRACTICAL INFORMATION - Renewable Energy 

What is the capacity sufficient for the needs of a family?
The production capacity has to do with the type of building, but also with the investment that the Customer will conduct, and in the case of hot water (solar thermal) will account for a significant portion of these needs (50 to 75% ). In the case of solar photovoltaic capacity is intrinsically linked to the contracted power with your electricity supplier and can install up to 50% of the contracted power, with a maximum of 3.68 kW to take the maximum bonus. This power should be installed in our opinion, not used for own consumption, but to complete sales network, thus ensuring your return on investment in the shortest possible time. 

What are the conditions for the installation of solar panels?
The basic requirement is to have a surface (at least between 2 and 6m2) facing south and free of shadows, that sun exposure is the maximum possible. All other constraints (eg available space for placement of storage tank water heaters, plumbing exists or not) relate to each specific installation. 

What are the conditions for the installation of photovoltaic panels?
Basically, are the same as the previous item or surface is facing south (in this case between 20 and 40m2) and lack of shading. All other items are defined in each case. 

The panels must be installed at the same time?
No, only if you want to sell the network in accordance with DL 363/2007. 

Does it require changes at home and any other kind of work?
May require some minor operations, depending on the type of construction and that can only be mentioned in detail, after technical visit to the local budget for the installation. 

What is the weight of the panels - or are not easily supported by the roof?
In principle, any roof house is prepared to support the loads on the weight of the panels. Anyway, this aspect is always assessed at the time of the technical visit. The weights of the panels to be installed depend on the technology chosen and can vary between 14 and 23 kg each. 

How much area does it need?
Depends on the solution you choose. May vary between 25 and 80 square meters. 

The panels may be installed on the roof?
In the case of solar panels they should be fitted to a high point, as is the roof. In the case of photovoltaic panels can be installed on level ground or in any other area available with the features mentioned (south and lack of shading). 

What is the lifetime of the equipment?
For the case of solar thermal panels estimated a lifetime between 12 and 15 years if properly maintained. In the case of solar panels fotovolaicos, the guarantee of performance (80% of original) reaches age 20. 

What is the guarantee that gives FactorENERGIA?
The guarantees are established by law. The FactorENERGIA offers conditions of installation and maintenance organizations. 

The equipment requires maintenance or not?
It requires little maintenance, and basically cleaning and minor refinements (retightening and acceptance certificates) system. 

Who does this maintenance? 
To guarantee smooth operation of the installation, we recommend you opt for FactorENERGIA. 


INFORMATION OFFICER - Renewable Energy 

What is the Diploma of Microgeneration?
It is a Decree Law on Government, published in the Official Gazette, which establishes, among other things, the possibility of consumer electricity contract with Low Voltage (LV), can sell electricity to the grid, provided that produced by a unit Micro-generation based on renewable sources. 

What is the process to become micro-producers? 
Just send us e-mail or FAX a copy of your receipt of electricity that we start the process. You must register with the http://www.renovaveisnahora.pt managed by DGGE - Directorate General for Energy and Geology, known as SRM, and make your purchase of microgeneration units. 

What are the incentives for renewable energy installation, in addition to the tax benefits? 
Basically, the advantage lies in the opportunity to sell electricity to the grid at a price much higher than that to which is usually purchased. 

How can we sell power to the public? 
After registration, licensing, acquisition, installation and certification of microgeneration units, its power generation unit will be connected to the network and the value of all monthly production is transferred by the Electricity Company for your bank account. 


PRACTICAL INFORMATION - Energy Certification 

The new legislation on the thermal performance and energy efficiency in buildings and energy certification is already in full force? 
Regulation Characteristics of Thermal Performance of Buildings (RCCTE), approved by Decree-Law No. 80/2006 of April 4, and Regulation of Energy Systems and HVAC of Buildings (RSECE), approved by Decree-Law No. º 79/2006 of April 4, already in force since July 4, 2006. This implies that all projects submitted in this context, the licensing authorities (and even projects not subject to licensing or authorization), must comply with new regulatory requirements and include chips made for this purpose. 

As for the National Certification System of Energy Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (SCE), its application follows the schedule set in Decree No. 461/2007 of 5 June. This set that are covered by the system: 
- New buildings for housing with floor area over 1000 m2 and service buildings, new or undergoing major refurbishment, whose floor area exceeds 1,000 m2 or 500 m2, depending on the typology, which application for a permit or authorization for construction have been submitted to the Authority from July 1, 2007; 
- All new buildings regardless of their area or purpose, whose application for a permit or authorization for construction have submitted to the Authority from July 1, 2008; 
- All buildings from January 1, 2009. 

What buildings are covered by the National Energy Certification of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (SCE)? 
Are covered by the SCE following buildings: 
- New buildings and existing ones undergoing major rehabilitation interventions, whose cost exceeds 25% of the building, calculated at current base of 630 € / m2 under RCCTE RSECE and whether or not subject to licensing or authorization, and the entity responsible for licensing or authorization, if applicable; 
- Existing service buildings with a floor area of 1.000m2 the upper deck, subject to periodic audits every six years (energy) or 2, 3 or 6 years (indoor air quality) as specified in RSECE; 
- Existing buildings for housing and services when concluding contracts for the sale and leasing, including leasing, where the owner must provide the prospective buyer, lessee or tenant the certificate issued under the ESA. 

What are considered new buildings and existing buildings for the purposes of the ESA? 
Specifically for the purposes of the ESA (which is different from the application of the Building regulations and RSECE), it is considered as a new building, whose date the permit application or building permit (commonly architectural design), the entity licensor, is after the date of entry into force of the ESA. By contrast, an existing building is one whose entry has been requested prior to entry into force of the ESA. 
For example, a house whose initial entry of the application for building permit, dictated by the delivery of architectural design in the House, occurred in April 2008, but has to comply with the Building regulations, is considered an existing building and is not subject to the ESA , ie does not require the intervention of a qualified expert in both phases of licensing (construction and use). If the entry of architecture had occurred after July 1, 2008, previously considered as a new building and both the project and the work (at least the end of it) would have to be checked by a qualified expert. 
Whether considered new or existing before the system, from 2009 any building must have a valid certificate on the sale, rental or lease. 

What is the validity of an energy certificate? 
- Residential: 10 years; 
- Services: 2, 3, 6 or 10 years, depending on whether it is subject to audit and what is their periodicity. 

Who asks an energy certificate? 
The responsibility to obtain the certificate is the promoters or owners of buildings. 

Who checks for energy certificates? 
For new buildings and existing ones undergoing major rehabilitation interventions: 
- Entity responsible for the licensing or authorization to construct and / or use (usually the municipal council). 
For existing buildings: 
- Lawyers, chambers of commerce and industry, notaries, registration services and solicitors, when concluding contracts of sale and lease. 

The energy certificate is unique for the entire building, or is issued for each installment? 
The purpose of certification is, in principle, each one of the smallest units of the building that may be available for sale, lease or otherwise transfer the contract of space, including the lease, which correspond generally to units set up or likely to be formed. 
In the case of office buildings, the whole building, composed by all the respective units, can also, together or separately with these units or portions of the building, be subject to certification. 

You must obtain a new certificate each time you sell or lease a building? 
No, while the existing certificate is valid will not be necessary to issue a new one. If the certificate is already available out of date, so having it will be sought from an expert as its new issue. 

What are the factors that influence the energy performance of a dwelling? 
Renewables 
- Solar collectors or other 
Walls and roofs 
- Thermal insulation and inertia 
Glazing 
- Transmission thermal, shading, permeability to solar radiation and air frames, cutting, etc.. 
HVAC systems and DHW production 
- Efficiency and fuel type 
Ventilation 
- Mechanical ventilation vs natural ventilation 

Intakes with lighting and electrical equipment to include the energy class? 
Only for buildings. In residential buildings, the classification depends on the needs of heating, cooling and production of hot water (DHW). 

It is mandatory to implement improvement measures? 
No, the measures are voluntary and represent opportunities that can be exploited by the owners, resulting in economic benefit in the short, medium or long term and / or improving the energy rating. 

What is the advantage of having an energy certificate? 
The certificate provides an analysis of higher or lower thermal quality of the property, expanding on its energy performance, providing consumer information on possible measures to improve performance, highlighting the economic viability. 
In the case of buildings with energy rating A or A + brings tax benefits and local incentives on IRS and IMI. 

What incentives exist for energy certification and the implementation of improvement measures? 
The properties with energy class A + or A have an increase of 10% in deductions to the collection of charges related to interest and repayment of housing loans and improvement measures are supported by tax deduction at 30% of the amounts spent on purchasing equipment for renewable energy use and carrying out works to improve the conditions of the thermal behavior of buildings, which is a direct result of the increased isolation. 
On the initiative of some authorities, there are measures that encourage energy efficiency in buildings belonging to their geographic area, such as the municipality of Lisbon, where it is possible to reduce by 50% and 25% of the value of the Property Tax (IMI ) to submit certification of buildings with energy class A + or A, respectively. 

What does it mean to be a building, for example, rated energy class A + or D? 
The rating scale is relative efficiency of buildings, or the property is classified by comparing it to another property reference. The property that corresponds to that of reference, meeting the minimum requirements established by the regulations (and RCCTE RSECE), lies in the low energy class B-. 

The class jumps correspond to increases or decreases of 50% in the case of Class A +, A, B and B-will be 25%. 

Thus, a building with energy class D will have a potentially energy consumption between 50 and 100% higher than the reference building. Already an A + grade building with a potential consumption will not exceed 25% of consumption of reference. Translating this into costs for the energy bill, the owner of a building with energy class D would have a bill of more than 50% and twice in a building with B-class while a class A + this bill would be only 0-25% than it would if the building was B-.

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