Types of solar photovoltaic installations | Factors to consider

thanks to photovoltaic solar installations we can take advantage of the energy generated by solar radiation to transform it into electricity.

A photovoltaic installation consists of various COMPONENTS which allow it to function by capturing solar energy.

These photovoltaic components or modules are responsible for transforming solar radiation into continuous electrical energy, and later the inverter will take care of transforming it into alternative energy for consumption.

The solar photovoltaic installation consists of solar panels, the solar inverter

They are different types of solar photovoltaic installations and we will have to investigate in depth the characteristics of each of them to be able to decide which one best suits our needs and interests.

Factors to consider before choosing a type of photovoltaic installation

In order to make the most correct decision when choosing one or another type of photovoltaic installation, it is advisable to consider various factors:

  • Coward Preferences of each owner in terms of electricity consumption.
  • The Location of the house or building.
  • He conditioning of the house or building and elements that may require a large energy demand.
  • Lost the objectives pursued with the installation.
  • He budget available to perform the installation.

Let\’s look at the different features of each type of installation below to see which option best suits our needs.

The different types of solar photovoltaic installations

  • Photovoltaic solar installation connected to the electrical network or for direct self-consumption: It is installed in homes or buildings where there is power from the electricity company, with the aim of reducing energy consumption from the network and saving on the electricity bill, ensuring at the same time 100% clean energy. This is achieved due to the production of electricity provided by solar panels. These installations normally consist of solar panels, a grid connection inverter and a meter.
  • Photovoltaic solar installation isolated or disconnected from the electrical network: Enables power supply in homes or buildings where there is no access to the electricity grid, no contract with the electricity company or where the grid is voluntarily disconnected. These installations normally consist of solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter and batteries to store energy and thus be able to use it at night.

Photovoltaic solar installations connected to the electrical network

This type of facility They are the ones who stay connected to the electricity grid.. And priority to generated self-consumption due to the energy of the photovoltaic installation while they can rely on it, and when it is not, they receive energy from the electrical network.

In these types of installations, solar surpluses (energy generated and not consumed) will be managed in different ways:

Photovoltaic self-consumption solar installation eligible for compensation

Use surplus energy to make surplus and unused energy economically profitable. This energy is transferred to the electricity grid and in return we receive compensation in the form of a discount on the electricity bill.

These types of equipment are very profitable, as the investment in the installation is amortized more quickly and, together with the compensation of surpluses, makes it possible to amortize the investment in a period between 3 and 5 years.

Photovoltaic self-consumption solar installation with storage in batteries

This option consists of transfer excess energy to the battery in the installation, to be able to consume it during the hours when there is no sunlight. However, the system remains connected to the power grid, so when the energy stored in the battery runs out, it can continue to be drawn from the grid.

It must be taken into account that the fact of adding batteries to the installation represents a significant increase, potentially doubling the price in the case of small ones.

Photovoltaic solar installation self-consumption without surplus

This type of facility it does not transfer excess energy to the power grid. These installations therefore have an anti-discharge mechanism that communicates directly with the inverter so that no more energy is produced than consumed, preventing its transfer to the grid.

These types of installations are used when the legislation in force does not allow the transfer of excess energy to the electrical network and for companies which use all the energy they generate at the moment, as in the case of factories.

Photovoltaic solar installations isolated or disconnected from the electrical network

This type of facility are not connected to the mains.

They consist of a charging inverter and a generator that allows energy storage to be used later when there is no sunlight.

A negative point is that they need a larger number of solar panels compared to self-consumption installations, in addition to the investment in batteries.

Off-grid installations are intended for homes or businesses that, due to their location, are isolated from the electrical network.