Types of solar self-consumption

Solar self-consumption is a practice that is increasingly common in Spanish homes, totally legal and regulated for him Royal Decree 244/2019 . However, there is not only one way to take advantage of photovoltaic energy, but there are different types of installations depending on multiple criteria.

In this article we will address these issues, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of this energy self-sufficiency and how you can take advantage of sunlight with devices specifically designed for it.

What is solar self-consumption?

Solar self-consumption consists of the supply of energy for own consumption, produced by photovoltaic panels . However, the installation of these panels is not as simple as putting them into operation and connecting them to the electrical network, since they generate direct current that must be converted into alternating current by means of a investor .

The implementation of solar panels is regulated and must meet a series of requirements to be completely legal. Thus, there are specialized companies who are responsible for planning and verifying that the installation meets all the required points.

Pros and cons of photovoltaic self-consumption

Opting for solar self-consumption has several advantages and some weak points. In general terms, its greatest strength lies in the savings on the electricity bill What will it mean? Although whether or not to opt for photovoltaic energy should also be a decision that takes into account more factors such as the cost of the installation in relation to the use that is going to be given to it.

Advantages of solar self-consumption

As has already been seen, the most striking advantage It is the savings it represents in energy costs , since all the energy generated by these plates will not affect the bill. These savings can be around 70% of the electricity costs , once the installation has been amortized.

It is also a form of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy generation , since its fuel is sunlight, compared to other alternatives that use gas, coal or other types of fossil fuels, whose emissions generate environmental problems.

Furthermore, photovoltaic self-consumption is currently susceptible to receiving subsidies in Spain. Likewise, having a photovoltaic installation can make the home less or not at all dependent on external infrastructure , thus abounding in energy self-management.

On the other hand, the payback of the initial investment is usually achieved after 6-8 years, depending on various factors, while the useful life of the plates can reach three decades.

Disadvantages of solar self-consumption

The first pitfall that must be observed when installing solar energy panels is If it compensates the cost of installation . Although its payback usually occurs after a few years and the savings it entails are considerable, it is advisable to pay attention to some issues.

One of them is the total amount involved in the investment , since some pockets may not be able to afford it if the installation is very large. It is also pertinent to look at the use that is going to be given to it ; That is to say, if, for example, it is a second home that is rarely visited, it is likely that it will not be worth making that investment, since the energy expenditure will be very low and the savings, therefore, will not be substantial.

On a material level, and although photovoltaic technologies have advanced a lot and continue to do so, their performance when it comes to converting light into electrical energy it remains low, at 25%.

Furthermore, it must be taken into account that the generation of photovoltaic energy requires sunlight as an essential element, which obviously disappears when night comes. Therefore, the panel generation is not constant and you must have batteries or a connection to the electrical grid or other alternative means to have energy when the sun goes down.

Types of photovoltaic self-consumption

There are several classifications of solar self-consumption, but in this text we will focus on the types according to their scope of application , its Connection to the electric grid and if these facilities generate surplus or not.

Solar self-consumption modalities according to their scope of application

Depending on its scope of application, photovoltaic self-consumption can be:

• Residential : That installation that is made for only one home.
• Collective : When the plates nourish a group of users, such as a community of neighbors.
• Industrial : Those facilities dedicated to an industrial platform, such as a factory.

Self-consumption modalities according to your connection to the grid

The facilities that are connected to the grid , in addition to having the energy produced by solar panels, they also have access to that provided by the conventional electrical grid.

On the contrary, the facilities of isolated self-consumption They are those that do not have a connection to the electrical grid, so batteries and accumulators are essential for when energy cannot be generated due to lack of light.

Solar self-consumption modalities with or without surpluses

Self-consumption facilities with surplus are those that revert the energy that is not being consumed to the general network, which can translate into a economic compensation if the required requirements are met.

In the case of the installations without surpluses , are those that do not send excess energy to the electrical grid. In that case, it can be accumulated in batteries to later be used when there is no production.

Garza products that run on solar energy

Photovoltaic technology is not only present in energy generation to power homes. There are also several devices that make use of these panels to be self-sufficient, with advantages such as not having to worry about their power supply. batteries or other consumables .

One of them is the LED solar spotlight Adjustable outdoor light , with a maximum power of 200 watts and adjustable light. Another element that makes use of these panels is a solar surveillance camera, a device that will have the added advantage that it will not stop working if there is a blackout.

Both these two products and many others that make use of sunlight to supply energy can be found in our online home automation store .