Understanding solar energy self-consumption

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Answers to several frequently asked questions about photovoltaic systems

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) production into building electrical distribution systems and using it to power the building loads is becoming more common for both new and existing buildings However, the use of solar energy to power building installations rises still questions – you can get the answer to some of the most common ones in this blog post.

What does solar self-consumption mean?

Self-consumption of photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy is the economic model in which the building uses PV electricity for its own electrical needs, thus acting as both producer and consumer, or prosumer. In this model, the PV-generated energy is consumed instantaneously as it is being produced.

Solar self-consumption is becoming the preferred economic model for several reasons:

• Self-consumption offers, or will offer soon, greater economic benefits and better control of energy bills
• Self-consumption enables buildings to consume their own solar energy
• Self-consumption promises greater independence from the grid and future electricity rate variations

Why is self-consumption important? How does it help you?

It reduces reliance on external energy sources, lowers electricity bills, and increases energy independence. Additionally, self-consumption solar promotes efficient use of generated power, minimizing wastage and enhancing sustainability. This approach supports long-term energy savings and environmental benefits.

Do we need to go off grid in order to switch on solar power?

There is no need to disconnect from the grid to use the solar produced electricity. By synchronizing the PV system with the grid supply, the electrical installation can be powered by both.

Indeed, PV inverters are designed to operate in parallel with the grid. They measure the grid voltage and the frequency at their connection point and deliver a power output synchronized with this voltage and frequency. Thus, the PV inverters do not generate a mismatch or instability in the electrical installation.

What is the solar self-consumption ratio?

The self-consumption ratio is the ratio between the PV production and the portion of the PV production consumed by the loads. This ratio can be a value between 0% and 100%, with 100% solar self-consumption meaning that all produced PV energy is consumed by the loads. A self-consumption ratio less than 100% means that some PV production is not locally consumed. In such cases, the PV excess is potentially injected into the grid, where it may be valorized under different economic schemes, such as net metering, net-billing, or outright purchase of the PV electricity.

Several solutions for maximizing the self-consumption ratio — including limiting PV energy production, storage, and load shifting — are described in this blog post.

Do we need to switch off the PV system overnight?

At night, the PV system does not produce electricity. However, because the PV inverters remain on standby overnight, the system may continue to consume a small amount of electrical energy.

This standby power consumption can be avoided by disconnecting the PV system at night, although this is rarely done. The reason is that such a disconnection requires the installation of additional equipment and a daily switching operation and the energy consumed at night is not significant.

How do we consume solar power?

Solar self-consumption is a natural process. The PV energy produced goes to the loads, because electricity takes the least resistant path. The path to the loads, which consists of cables and busbars, has a much lower resistance than the path to the transformer and the grid. Therefore, the loads will consume the available PV production, and will pull additional energy from the grid, as needed. When the PV production is greater than the loads’ consumption, the extra energy will tend to go to the grid.

To learn more, watch this video covering answers to five of the commonly asked questions about photovoltaic self-consumption:

Visit our site to learn more about additional solutions for solar self-consumption, as well as recent webinars or blog posts.