The production of electricity from clean and renewable energies such as wind or solar photovoltaic has increased in recent years. Therefore, it is time to explain how self-consumption of energy promotes consumer autonomy (individuals or companies) and energy efficiency in countries such as Spain.
He photovoltaic self-consumption It is defined as the individual production of electricity for own consumption through the installation of solar panels. These solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which is consumed by homes and businesses as it enters the utility grid.
The reason for which self-consumption for homes It is a choice for users looking for greater autonomy and more efficient energy production and consumption in their homes. And there are figures that confirm that it is an increasingly widespread trend.
- After the report dates A snapshot of global PV markets According to the International Energy Agency, Spain ranks first in Europe and fifth in the world in terms of installed solar power in 2022, with 8.1 gigawatts (GW), behind only China, the United States, India and Brazil.
- Spain is the first country in the photovoltaic penetration rate, with 19.1%, ahead of Greece (17.5%) and Chile (17%), as shown in the same report.
- And according to Red Eléctrica Española, solar photovoltaic energy production was 3,883 GW/h in May 2023, which represented 18.1% of the total electricity consumption in our country. Compared to May 2022, it is an increase of 15.8%.
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Self-consumption of energy and consumer autonomy
Self-consumption of energy, as we will explain at , has economic and environmental benefits, both for private users and companies that are supplied with electricity in this way, and for society. Let\’s see, first of all, what is related to the energy autonomy of consumers.
1.- Own production of electricity
The first reason solar self-consumption makes consumers gain energy independence is simple: solar panels make it possible own production of electricityas the definition of the term self-consumption indicates.
This means that depending on the number of solar panels installed, their power and performance, consumers save economic costs because part of their consumption is self-sufficient through photovoltaic installations.
In years like the current one, where there are European policies aimed at greater energy independence for the EU, self-consumption in turn enables the independence of individual users and companies.
This point is valid both in the variant of individual self-consumption like in shared self-consumptionwhere users up to 2,000 meters from a PV installation can connect to that installation, maximum distance between CUPs according to Royal Decree 20/2022, of December 27.
2.- Economic savings of up to 40%
Second, own production and consumption of electricity in Spain represents a economic savings for consumers, which saves costs on monthly electricity and gas bills. The calculations are that, from the first day of operation of the photovoltaic installations, you can save up to 40%.
Lower economic costs allow you to save money and this is one of the most important factors to consider when talking about energy independence: not only producing your own energy, but that it is cheaper than the cost of consumption for contracted power and the energy consumption of the contract with the light or gas vendors.
With solar self-consumption, costs decrease, especially when the power of the solar panels is equal to the contracted power in the homes, to be able to have electricity production in accordance with the original electricity contract. companies. This is one of the the advantages of shared self-consumption in the so-called energy communities.
3.- Possibility of selling surplus solar energy
The section on how self-consumption of energy promotes energy autonomy is supplemented with the possibility of selling surpluses that are not consumed. When solar panels are installed, the production of electricity can be more than the consumption in a month. What happens then?
If the photovoltaic installations include batteries for solar panels, the electrical energy not consumed at the time of production can be stored for later consumption. But it is also possible sell surplus solar energy the company with which the supply of electricity was contracted in those cases permitted by law through the simplified compensation mechanism contained in Royal Decree 244/2019, of April 5.
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Why does self-consumption of energy increase efficiency?
Having seen what is related to the energy autonomy of consumers, why does self-consumption of energy improve efficiency in energy consumption? These are three reasons that explain it.
1.- Direct consumption of self-generated energy
To begin with, because it allows direct consumption of self-generated energy: the user knows how much he produces and how much he consumes. Therefore, by controlling consumption at home or in companies plus controlling energy production, consumers can have more efficient energy consumption.
2.- Intelligent monitoring
In addition, with the use of smart electricity and gas meters, it is possible to perform a intelligent monitoring of energy consumption by users. What is added to the performance monitoring of the solar panels, to know exactly if they are producing all the electricity they are capable of in good condition.
3.- Use of surpluses
And it should be mentioned, once again, the possibility of taking advantage of the surplus electricity generated on the plates and stored in the solar batteries. So that in times of regular power outages or when the price of electricity is higher, users can consume the surplus, in cases where it is not sold, and use electricity more efficiently and responsibly in homes or businesses. .
For all these reasons, we wanted to explain in this article the reasons why self-consumption of energy promotes autonomy and efficiency in energy consumption in Spain. Are you interested in taking advantage of its advantages? At , as experts in photovoltaic solar energy, we can help you, just contact us and we will advise you.
Installing photovoltaic panels is a simple and beneficial process for users of single-family homes, neighborhood communities and businesses. It is possible to participate in the change of the current energy model to a sustainable and green one with a higher share of renewable energies and a lower share of energies based on fossil fuels.
