How to Check Whether Your Solar Panels Are Legally Registered in Catalonia

To check whether solar panels are properly legalised in Catalonia, do not rely only on whether they generate electricity or appear on a bill. Verify three separate layers: the technical commissioning documentation, registration in the Registre d’Autoconsum de Catalunya or RAC, and the subsequent communication to the distribution company so that the electricity contract can be updated.

The practical method is to recover the RAC registration document, search the public register and compare its details with the physical installation, supply contract and recent bills. A discrepancy does not automatically mean that the system is illegal. It may indicate an administrative error, a pending modification or an unprocessed communication between the Generalitat, distributor and electricity supplier.

Installed, registered and contractually activated are different stages

A photovoltaic system may be installed and producing electricity without every administrative and contractual step being complete. Start by separating technical commissioning, administrative registration and contractual activation. Each stage produces different evidence, so neither the presence of panels nor an electricity bill proves the entire process has been completed.

The RAC records installations that consume all or part of the electricity they generate. It distinguishes systems without surplus export from those with surplus electricity. The latter are further divided into installations using simplified compensation and those outside that arrangement. If the registered category does not match the real installation, the file should be reviewed rather than assuming that generation alone confirms its status. [4]

Royal Decree 244/2019 provides for automatic registration in specified cases where both consumption and generation are connected at low voltage and installed generation capacity is below 100 kW. Registration is based on information submitted under the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulation. Rules and procedures may change, so confirm the current position through the BOE and the Generalitat’s official portals. [5]

• Installed: the equipment is physically fitted and connected.
• Technically commissioned: the applicable electrical procedure has been completed.
• Registered: the installation appears in the RAC with its recorded characteristics.
• Contractually activated: the distributor and supplier correctly reflect self-consumption.
• Compensated: eligible exported surplus is handled under the appropriate contractual arrangement.

Understanding RAC, CAU, CUPS and the A1 communication

The RAC number identifies a specific entry in Catalonia’s Self-Consumption Register. The CAU, or Código de Autoconsumo, identifies the self-consumption installation and links its associated consumption and generation points. The CUPS identifies an individual electricity supply point. These codes may appear in the same file, but they are not interchangeable. [4]

A1 is the communication through which the Administration sends the relevant self-consumption data to the distribution company. For installations in Catalonia at low voltage and below 100 kW, RAC registration serves as the Generalitat’s official communication to the distributor. The Generalitat states that, in these cases, the distributor and supplier cannot demand additional documentation to amend the access contract for self-consumption. [1]

Do not confuse the RAC with RITSIC or production registers. RITSIC concerns industrial safety installations and does not replace registration of a specific self-consumption system in the RAC. Installations intended to sell electricity may also fall under the relevant production register. The Generalitat communicates applicable RAC entries to the corresponding state registers automatically. [1] [2]

• RAC: Catalonia’s administrative register for self-consumption.
• RAC number: reference for the individual registration entry.
• CAU: code connecting the relevant generation and consumption points.
• CUPS: identifier for an individual electricity supply point.
• A1: administrative communication of self-consumption data to the distributor.

How to recover the RAC certificate and search the register

First collect whatever information is available: the CUPS, CAU, RAC number, administrative file reference, holder’s tax identification number, installed capacity, commissioning date, electrical installation certificate and supply contract. Not every item is required in every case. This list helps reconstruct the file and prevents the search from depending on one missing reference.

The RAC number may be shown in the document confirming completion of the administrative procedure and registration. Where authorisation is required, it may instead appear in the relevant authorisation and registration resolution. Once legalisation has been completed, the holder can retrieve the RAC or RIPRE certificate from the private area of the Generalitat’s procedures portal. Access should be made by the holder or a person with valid authority to act for them. [2]

The public RAC search tool includes fields such as the RAC number, CAU, section and subsection, registration date, commissioning date, capacity, technology and municipality. Compare the result with the installation rather than checking only that an entry exists. If no result appears, repeat the search using the exact identifiers from the administrative file before concluding that registration is missing. [4]

• Recover the registration document or resolution from the private area.
• Locate the RAC number and CAU in the official documents.
• Check the municipality, capacity and commissioning date.
• Confirm whether the entry records surplus export and compensation.
• Save copies and list every discrepancy before contacting the authorities.

Why a registered installation may not receive export compensation

After confirming the RAC entry, review the supply contract and several bills issued after registration. Check that the CUPS and holder are consistent with the administrative file, that self-consumption is reflected and that the contractual arrangement matches the registered category. Where simplified compensation applies, inspect how exported surplus appears on the bills. A bill is useful contractual evidence, but it is not the sole proof of legal registration.

If the RAC information is correct but self-consumption has not reached the contract, there may be an issue with the A1 communication. Where the distributor has not received or processed it, the Generalitat states that its status can be checked by submitting an enquiry to the Oficina de Gestió Empresarial, or Business Management Office. The next contact may then be the distributor or supplier, depending on where the process is blocked. [1] [2]

The official sources do not provide one universal cost or resolution period for every problem. The action required depends on whether data must be corrected, a communication remains pending or a formal modification is necessary. Identify the affected stage before accepting a diagnosis or submitting a new procedure. Forms, procedure names and requirements can change, so use the current Generalitat and Canal Empresa information. [1] [6]

• Correct RAC entry but incorrect contract: investigate the A1 status.
• Wrong registered category: check whether a modification is required.
• Different holder: review both administrative and contractual ownership.
• Incorrect capacity or address: compare the certificate and administrative file.
• Incomplete records: arrange a technical and documentary review before filing again.

Collective systems, ownership changes and property purchases

For collective self-consumption, locating the CAU is not enough. Check the participating consumers, applicable allocation coefficients and consistency between the associated supply points and the allocation agreement. The installation holder must provide the distributor with the specific collective documentation, particularly the allocation agreement and, where applicable, the surplus compensation agreement. [1]

Before buying a Barcelona home, commercial unit or industrial building with solar panels, request the RAC certificate or resolution, CAU, CUPS, electrical installation certificate and recent electricity bills. Compare the address, capacity, category, registered holder and commissioning date with the property and equipment. Panels on the roof and lower electricity consumption do not replace documentary checks.

A property sale does not necessarily update every administrative and contractual record automatically. Canal Empresa provides separate subsequent procedures for matters including modifications, changes of holder and deregistration. Select the route matching the installation’s characteristics and export arrangement, and check the current official procedure before submitting documents because classifications and forms may be revised. [6] [8]

• Obtain the RAC evidence and all available identifiers.
• Confirm that the registered installation matches the property.
• Establish whether self-consumption is individual or collective.
• Review allocation and compensation agreements where relevant.
• Identify outstanding changes of holder before completing the transaction.

Frequently asked questions

Does appearing in the RAC mean exported electricity will already be compensated?

Not necessarily. RAC registration confirms the recorded administrative information, but compensation also depends on the registered arrangement and its correct transfer to the electricity contract. The CUPS, holder and other relevant data must match, and collective installations may require additional agreements.

What should I do if I cannot find the RAC certificate?

The holder should check the private area of the Generalitat’s procedures portal. The RAC number may also appear in the document confirming registration or in the relevant authorisation and registration resolution. If it remains unavailable, enquire about the file through the Generalitat’s official channels.

What if the RAC entry is correct but my bills do not show self-consumption?

First compare the registered arrangement with the contract. Then ask the Oficina de Gestió Empresarial about the A1 communication and contact the distributor or supplier according to where the issue lies. For collective self-consumption, also verify the participating consumers, allocation agreement and any applicable compensation agreement.