In recent years, solar panels have become another part of the façade of buildings and private homes as a decorative element, but mainly as a synonym for photovoltaic self-consumption.
Because this way of producing energy has gained more and more force since the last legislation Royal Decree 244/2019. Thanks to technological advances, the reduction of their production costs and the commitment to the fight against climate change, they have meant that more and more people are betting on this type of energy.
What is photovoltaic self-consumption?
It is understood as the consumption of energy that is produced by a photovoltaic installation close to the point of consumption. Let’s say that it refers to the individual production of electricity for one’s own consumption through solar panels.
Solar installations, apart from solar panels, are made up of other elements necessary for their operation. That’s why at Cuenca Solar we have solar kits for a complete solar installation.
This new form of self-consumption saves on electricity bills and contributes to reducing climate change.
Types of self-consumption
We can classify energy self-consumption into two categories depending on the destination of excess energy in production. At this point, we are going to focus on installations connected to the electricity grid.
- Self-consumption without surpluses.
In these installations, an anti-spill system is used that prevents excess energy from being discharged to the electricity grid. One option is to add batteries to the installation to store excess energy and use it at night or on days with little sunlight.
- Self-consumption with surpluses.
As their name suggests, they are the installations that allow us to pour the excess energy that we do not consume into the electricity grid. With this system, you can sell your energy to the grid and thus offset the costs of the electricity bill.
Advantages of the self-consumption system
Next we are going to see the advantages of a self-consumption system compared to the consumption of the electricity grid.
- Self-consumption systems that are increasingly economically affordable. In recent years, it has become more affordable products economically and taking into account the increase in the price of electricity, in the medium long term it is cheaper.
- It reduces the energy independence of electricity companies.
- Use of a free, clean, inexhaustible and environmentally friendly source of energy
- Reduction of the country’s energy dependence on foreign countries.
- You avoid supplying demand at rush hour and possible power outages and voltage drops.
- Minimizes the impact of electrical installations on the environment.
- Companies can improve their image and strengthen their commitment to the environment.
Tips you should know about this type of photovoltaic self-consumption
Below I explain certain details that you should consider when having your own solar installation.
The first thing is that you must have a space where you can make the most of the daylight hours for your installation. Places such as rooftops, garden, an enclosure, etc.
The orientation of solar panels is vital to efficiently use energy. Spain is one of the countries with the most hours of daylight in Europe. Ideally, the solar panels are oriented to the south to better receive the sun’s rays and placed at an inclination of 30º.
The ideal thing would be to have a real-time monitoring system to be able to consult it and adapt your consumption habits to the most efficient hours of light.
Another tip is to take into account the hours we consume per day and which ones you work throughout the day, such as appliances, air conditioners, etc. In this way we can calculate the minimum power we need on a daily basis.
If you have any questions or queries about your own self-consumption installation, please contact us without any obligation and we will advise you.