Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference lies in the charging speed, as not all electric vehicles charge at the same rate. There are fast charging stations and slow charging stations. Naturally, using a slow charging station with a fast-charging car is not ideal, and vice versa. We recommend matching your charging station to the specific charging capacity of your electric vehicle. However, opting for a charging station with a higher charging capacity can be a good choice for future-proofing your setup. 

The time it takes to fully charge an electric vehicle depends on the charging speed of both the charging station and the car, as well as the capacity of your main connection. On average, charging a car takes between 4 and 10 hours. There are both 1-phase and 3-phase charging stations. 

With a 1-phase connection of 1 x 25 A, the maximum charging capacity is 5.8 kW. With a 3-phase connection of 3 x 25 A, the maximum capacity increases to 17.2 kW. As a result, charging with a 3-phase connection is significantly faster than with a 1-phase connection. 

If you currently have a 1-phase connection at home, you can easily upgrade it to a 3-phase connection through Enexis. If an upgrade is necessary, we recommend doing so as soon as possible, as it may take some time for the grid operator to complete the conversion. Please note, without the upgraded connection, we will not be able to activate the charging station. 

Installing a charging station at your home begins with a consultation from our expert, who will review your options for the charging station, evaluate the cable route, and inspect the meter cupboard. On the installation day, our team will start by placing an earth leakage circuit breaker in your meter cupboard, to which the charging station will be connected. Afterward, the necessary trench will be dug, or a hole drilled, to route the cable from the charging station to the meter cupboard. Once the cable is in place, the charging station will be mounted at your preferred location. The final steps involve setting up the system and conducting thorough testing to ensure everything is operating as expected. 

An Energy Management System (EMS) is designed to help manage and optimize energy consumption. This system includes a micro-computer that controls various devices such as the inverter, battery, charging station, heat pump, and air conditioner. It operates by using data from a dynamic energy contract, adjusting energy usage according to pricing and demand patterns. Even without solar panels, significant savings can be achieved by leveraging the EMS system alongside a battery. Naturally, the benefits are even greater when solar panels are already installed! 

Example: 

For instance, the system can discharge the battery when energy prices are high, charge the car when prices are low, and even partially switch off the solar panels during negative pricing periods. In essence, the EMS ensures minimal energy wastage, thereby maximizing direct consumption. On average, direct consumption can be around 30%. However, by using an EMS, it’s possible to boost this to at least 60%. This means that the investment in an EMS system quickly pays for itself. 

All the smart devices within your Energy Management System (EMS) are connected through your Wi-Fi router. To ensure security, it is crucial to start with a strong password for your router. Additionally, using a router equipped with antivirus protection is highly recommended. 

It is also important to create a robust password for your smart devices. This should include a combination of numbers, upper and lower case letters, and special characters. A passphrase—such as a sentence—offers even greater security than a single word. 

Furthermore, it is advisable to keep your devices up-to-date by installing the latest software updates from the manufacturer. Manufacturers frequently release updates to improve security and functionality, and setting these to install automatically can save time and effort. 

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is becoming increasingly common. This requires two steps to log in, such as entering a code sent via SMS or using a fingerprint scan (Touch ID). By following these practices, you can ensure that your EMS system remains well-protected from potential hacks. 

To check if you qualify for grants to make your home more sustainable, visit www.energiesubsidiewijzer.nl. This website provides comprehensive information on available subsidies. Currently, there are no specific subsidies for solar energy, but the 0% VAT rate applies. 

The government is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to adopt sustainable solutions. To support this, the National Heat Fund was established in 2013, offering financing options for making homes more energy-efficient. One such option is the Energy Savings Loan, which can be used to purchase solar panels and home batteries. 

If your annual income is below €60,000, you may even qualify for a 0% interest rate. You can choose from a variety of repayment terms, making it easier to finance your sustainable investment. 

If you prefer not to use your savings to purchase a solar energy installation, you can take out a loan from the National Heat Fund under very favorable terms. 

The government actively promotes investment in solar energy systems. Depending on your specific circumstances, the interest rate for this loan can range from 0% to 4.5%, with repayment terms of up to 20 years. This provides an accessible option for financing your solar energy investment. 

Increasing self-consumption is becoming more important to ease the strain on the grid. To determine the right capacity for your home battery, we recommend considering both the capacity of your current solar panel installation and your individual energy consumption. A common rule of thumb for calculating the capacity of a home battery is to allocate 1 to 1.5 kWh per kilowatt peak (kWp) of solar capacity. For example, if you have 12 panels, each with a capacity of 430 Wp, this results in a total of 5.16 kWp. According to this rule, the ideal capacity of your home battery would fall between 5 and 7.5 kWh. 

Yes, it is possible to connect a home battery to your existing solar panel installation. This helps reduce the strain on the grid and increases your self-consumption. However, it is important to note that not all home batteries are compatible with existing inverters. In some cases, you may need to replace the current inverter with a hybrid inverter. There are various brands of home batteries available, including SolarEdge, Enphase, BYD, Dyness, and Sungrow, among others. Many of these home batteries are modular, meaning you can expand their capacity in the future if needed. 

The main benefit of using a home battery is the increase in self-consumption. Solar panels generate power during the day, but most of our energy usage occurs in the evening. By adding a home battery, you can store excess energy produced during the day and use it when you need it most, reducing reliance on the grid. Additionally, many home batteries are modular, allowing for future expansion. For example, the Enphase battery can be expanded by 3.5 kWh at a time, while the SolarEdge battery can be expanded by 4.6 kWh per module. SolarEdge even offers the option to stack three modules, providing greater flexibility and scalability for your energy needs. 

Solis (serial system) 

To switch off your solar system, follow these steps: 

1. Turn off the inverter using the rotary knob located at the bottom of the inverter. Turn it a quarter turn to the left. 
2. Next, switch off the isolator switch by turning it a quarter turn to the left as well. 
3. Finally, turn off the circuit breaker in the fuse box with the PV sticker or the main switch of the PV distributor (if installed). 

Your solar system is now safely switched off. 

To switch the installation back on, reverse the steps: First, turn on the circuit breaker or main switch, then the isolator switch, and finally, turn the inverter rotary knob back on. 

SolarEdge (parallel system) 

To switch off your solar installation, follow these steps: 

1. Turn off the inverter by using the narrow red pin at the bottom of the inverter. Turn it to the left. The lights will remain on, but a red light will appear. 
2. Next, switch off the isolator switch by turning it a quarter turn to the left. 
3. Finally, turn off the circuit breaker in the fuse box where the PV sticker is located or the main switch of the PV distributor (if installed). 

Your solar installation is now safely switched off. 

To switch the installation back on, reverse the steps: First, turn on the circuit breaker or main switch, then the isolator switch, and finally, turn the inverter back on by rotating the red pin to the right. 

Enphase or APsystems (parallel system) 

To switch off your solar installation, follow these steps: 

1. Turn off the circuit breaker in the fuse box or from your PV distributor (if installed) where the PV sticker is located. 

Your solar installation is now safely switched off. 

To switch it back on, simply turn the circuit breaker in the fuse box back on. 

While we aim to complete installations as scheduled, weather conditions can sometimes affect the process. In most cases, such as rain, solar panel installation can proceed without issue. 

Winter and Autumn 

During winter and autumn, frost and snow can make the roof surfaces slippery or even frozen, which prevents safe installation of the panels. In such cases, we will reschedule the installation at very short notice. For example, a corrugated iron or steel roof can become as slippery as an ice rink in the winter, which makes installation dangerous and not recommended. 

Summer and Spring 

On hot, sunny days, the roof can become too hot or too soft to safely install solar panels. Bitumen roofing, for example, can melt under high temperatures, leaving impressions of the installers’ footprints on the roof. This can increase the risk of leaks. Roof tiles can heat up to 80°C, which can be dangerously hot to handle. 

We take all these factors into account to ensure your installation is done safely and professionally. 

OptimaSolar uses only the highest quality mounting systems for our solar panels, designed to withstand even the heaviest storms. Solar panels are built to be durable and resilient in extreme weather conditions. In the unlikely event of storm or hail damage, such occurrences are typically covered under your building insurance. 

Yes, it is mandatory (according to NEN1010 standards) to earth the mounting frame to which the solar panels are attached. However, the solar panels themselves are double-insulated and do not require earthing. 

Solar panels do not require much maintenance, especially with the typical weather in the Netherlands. However, if there’s a lot of dirt built up, it’s a good idea to clean them. We recommend having a pro do it, but if you want to clean them yourself, just make sure to do it carefully to avoid damage. And remember, never use tap water! 

Before you start cleaning, make sure to switch off the system: 

1. Turn off the inverter. 
2. Switch off the switch next to the inverter. 
3. Finally, turn off the circuit breaker in the fuse box. 

This way, you can safely clean your panels. 

To get straight to the point: high-quality solar panels typically last around 40 years. They’re built to withstand all sorts of weather conditions! Forty years is a pretty impressive lifespan compared to many other products. This longevity is largely thanks to the tough, tempered glass used in the panels. The product warranty can vary depending on the type of panel, ranging from 12 to 30 years, so it all depends on which solar panels you go for! 

Yes, solar panels can still generate energy on cloudy days! They convert light into energy, so even when the sun isn’t shining brightly, they’re still working. While the output won’t be as high as on a sunny day, it’s still enough to make a solar power system worthwhile! 

You can easily monitor your power production through an app on your phone. Most inverters offer this feature, and if your installation is equipped with SolarEdge optimizers or Enphase microinverters, you can even track the power production of each individual panel. 

OptimaSolar does not require a down payment from individuals. You will only receive the invoice once the system is fully operational. We believe in “first perform, then invoice!” 

At OptimaSolar, we provide warranties on all our installations. If you ever need assistance, you can rely on us as we supplied and installed the system. But what if OptimaSolar no longer exists in the future? No worries! You can still turn to our trusted Dutch importers for warranty support. So, no need to worry about language barriers or complicated procedures — your peace of mind is our priority. 

Renting a solar installation is not financially advantageous, which is why OptimaSolar does not offer this option. 

The best alternative to renting is purchasing with financing. Since the loan term is typically longer than the payback period for your solar installation, it works out to be more favorable in the long run. You can take advantage of the National Heat Fund, which offers very favorable terms. 

Currently, if your total household income is below €60,000 per year, the interest rate is even 0%. For higher incomes, the interest rate ranges from 3.60% to 4% (as of March 2025). You can choose between loan terms of 7, 10, or 15 years. The National Heat Fund is a government initiative and is available to almost everyone. In many cases, the monthly installment may even be lower than the savings on your energy bill! 

The energy yield of your solar panels is determined by several factors: 

• The type and capacity (Wp) of the solar panels you choose. 

• Whether or not optimizers are installed to enhance performance. 

• The position of your roof and the angle at which the solar panels are installed, which affects the amount of sunlight they receive. 

The net-metering scheme (salderingsregeling) allows you to feed excess energy back into the grid. When you generate more energy than you consume, the surplus is delivered to the grid. Under this scheme, you receive the same amount for each kWh you supply back as you pay for each kWh you take from the grid. This method of energy settlement is a government-supported program. However, the net-metering scheme will end in January 2027. This makes it a great time to invest in a solar power system while you can still benefit from net-metering and lower panel prices. 

At the moment, the answer is simple: no. The price of solar panels has already decreased significantly in recent years and is currently at one of its lowest points. With the net-metering scheme still in place for the next few years, it’s a great opportunity to invest in solar panels now and take advantage of this favorable scheme before it ends. Waiting any longer might mean missing out on these benefits. 

Over 85% of roofs are suitable for solar panel installation. However, there are a few important factors to consider: 

• Slope angle: The angle should not exceed 60 degrees for optimal panel performance. 

• Roof covering: The type of roofing material matters; roofs made of reeds or zinc are not suitable for solar panels. 

• Roof orientation: The direction your roof faces plays a key role. North-facing roofs are generally not ideal since the number of panels needed to meet energy consumption would be too high, making it less cost-effective. 

With these factors in mind, most roofs can accommodate solar panels, but a professional assessment is always recommended to ensure the best setup for your specific situation. 

• Wp (Watt Peak): This refers to the peak power output of a solar panel under ideal laboratory conditions. In the Netherlands, the standard is that these ideal conditions are achieved at 85%, so the actual yield is calculated as 85% of the panel’s manufacturer-specified Wp power.

• kWp (Kilowatt peak): 1 kWp is equal to 1000 Wp. It represents the peak power output of a solar installation.

• kWh (Kilowatt hour): This is a unit of energy. 1 kWh equals 1000 Wh (Watt hours) and corresponds to the energy consumed or produced during one hour at a power output of 1000 Watts (1 kW).

• Mw (MegaWatt): 1 MW (MegaWatt) is equal to 1000 kW or 1,000,000 watts. It is often used to measure larger-scale energy production, such as the output of power plants.

These units are commonly used to measure the power output of solar installations and the energy consumption or production over time. 

A solar panel installation is a system composed of several key components that work together to convert sunlight into usable electricity: 

• Solar Panels: These panels convert light into electrical energy. They work by capturing sunlight, which is then turned into electricity. While they perform best in direct sunlight, solar panels can still generate power on cloudy days.

• Inverter: Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, but most household appliances require alternating current (AC). The inverter is responsible for converting the DC electricity from the panels into AC, so it can be used to power your home.

• Power Optimizer: A power optimizer maximizes the efficiency of your solar panels. If one panel experiences shading or any other issue, the optimizer ensures that the remaining panels continue to perform at their peak. Without optimizers, the performance of the weakest panel could limit the output of the entire system. If shading is not a concern, optimizers may not be necessary. 

The process begins with your interest in solar panels from OptimaSolar. We’ll schedule a visit to your home to discuss all available options and carry out an inspection of your meter box and cable routing. During the visit, our consultant will present a quote, so you can decide exactly how you’d like the solar panels arranged on your roof. 

Once you approve the quote, your order is passed to our work preparation and planning department. They will verify stock availability or provide delivery dates for any required products. Within two weeks, you will receive an email from us confirming the installation date. 

On the day of installation, our team will arrive around 8:00 AM to begin fitting the solar panels on your roof. The installation will be completed in a single day, including system setup and monitoring. You will also receive an email with details of energieleveren.nl, the digital manual for the system, and the invoice. 

After the installation, we will monitor your system for at least two weeks to ensure it is functioning optimally. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. The best way to contact us is through our customer service at 0800 2468 000, via email at esmee@optimasolar.nl, or by getting in touch with your assigned advisor.