Equipment installed on this project
Complete energy independence system with 50kW solar and 100kWh DEYE storage. 100% operation during April 2025 blackout.
Alhaurín el Grande: 50kW Solar + 100kWh Battery Hybrid System
Case Study: Expert-Designed Villa with Full Off-Grid Capability - Maintained 100% Operation During Spain's April 2025 Blackout
95%
Self-Sufficiency
100kWh
Battery
50kW
Solar
8
Climate Zones
Location
Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga Province
Property Type
Luxury Villa (450m²)
Previous System
Grid-dependent with no backup
New System
50kW Solar + 100kWh DEYE + Daikin Heat Pump + Airzone
Total Capacity
Full off-grid capability
Installation Date
Completed 2025
The Challenge
The villa owner approached Agua Therm with ambitious goals for energy independence and resilience:
Our Comprehensive Energy Solution
Working closely with the client, our engineering team designed an integrated energy ecosystem combining solar generation, battery storage, heat pump technology, and smart zoning:
50kW Solar Array
Premium photovoltaic panels generating up to 75,000 kWh annually - more than twice the property's needs
100kWh DEYE Battery Bank
Massive storage capacity with automatic island mode - switches to off-grid in 20 milliseconds during outages
Daikin Altherma Heat Pump
High-efficiency aerothermal system with COP 4.5+ for heating, cooling, and hot water production
8-Zone Airzone System
Individual temperature control per room with smart scheduling and occupancy detection
Running Costs Comparison
Actual monitored data from 12 months of operation (2025):
Based on real consumption data from the property's smart monitoring system. 450m² villa with pool, 8 climate zones.
| System | kWh/month | Cost/month | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Previous (Grid + Gas heating) | N/A | €650 | €7,800 |
| New Hybrid System | ~200 kWh grid import | €45 | €540 |
€605
Monthly Savings
€7,260
Annual Savings
93%
Cost Reduction
7-8 years
Payback Period
Data from actual property monitoring. Includes €120/month average grid feed-in compensation for surplus solar. View source
Professional Installation
Our certified technicians completed this complex installation over 3 weeks:
Expert Insight
"This project represents the gold standard for residential energy systems. By combining a 50kW solar array with 100kWh of battery storage, we've created genuine energy independence. The April 2025 blackout that affected millions across Spain and Portugal was the ultimate test - while neighbors sat in the dark for hours, this villa maintained 100% normal operation. The Daikin heat pump continued running, the pool heating stayed on, and the family didn't even notice the grid had failed. This is what true energy resilience looks like."
Rob Greeves
HVAC Director, Agua Therm
Electrical Engineering Excellence
"The DEYE hybrid inverter system is the brain of this installation. With 100kWh of lithium iron phosphate batteries, we have enough capacity to power the entire villa for 3-4 days with zero solar input. The automatic island mode is critical - when grid power fails, the system transitions to off-grid operation in under 20 milliseconds, so fast that even sensitive electronics don't reset. We've configured the system to prioritize self-consumption: solar powers the home first, excess charges the batteries, and only surplus goes to the grid. The result is 95% self-sufficiency and electricity bills under €50/month for a 450m² luxury villa."
Craig Whitham
Electrical Director, Agua Therm
Client Feedback
"When the April 2025 blackout hit, I was in a meeting and didn't even know the power was out until my neighbor called asking if we had electricity. Everything was running perfectly - AC, pool heating, even the espresso machine. That's when I knew this investment was worth every euro. Our electricity bills went from €400/month to under €50, and we have complete peace of mind. Agua Therm delivered exactly what they promised."
Villa Owner
Alhaurín el Grande
Verified Efficiency Data
The performance of this integrated system is backed by real monitoring data and official Spanish sources:
50kW system produces 75,000+ kWh/year
Based on 1,500+ sun hours annually in Málaga Province
100kWh battery = 3-4 days autonomy
Average villa consumption 25-30 kWh/day covered without any solar input
COP 4.5 = 450% efficiency
Daikin Altherma produces 4.5kW of heating for every 1kW electricity consumed
Airzone reduces HVAC energy use 30%+
By conditioning only occupied zones rather than entire property
20ms automatic island mode transition
Instant backup power - no interruption to sensitive electronics
Solar self-consumption systems in Spain are regulated under RD 244/2019, which allows excess energy to be fed to the grid with compensation. Source: IDAE
Frequently Asked Questions
Also see
About the Author
Ben Hayden
English-Speaking Electrician & Independent Energy Advisor
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.