How does residential self-consumption work?
Residential self-consumption works by installing solar panels on homes to generate electricity from solar radiation. This energy produced can be used directly in the home, reducing dependence on the conventional electrical grid.
What types of residential self-consumption installations are there?
There are two types of residential self-consumption installations: connected self-consumption and isolated self-consumption. In connected self-consumption, the home remains connected to the conventional electricity grid, which allows the surplus energy produced to be compensated. On the other hand, in isolated self-consumption, the home is disconnected from the grid and may require the use of batteries or generators to ensure electricity supply at times of low solar radiation.
What are the necessary components for a residential self-consumption installation?
For a residential self-consumption installation, several components are required. First, solar panels are needed to capture solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy. A grid inverter, which transforms the direct current generated by the solar panels into alternating current used in homes, is also needed. In addition, it is necessary to have a consumption wattmeter to keep an accurate control of the energy generated and consumed.
How much does it cost and how much can be saved with residential self-consumption?
The cost of a residential self-consumption installation can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the installation and the components used. However, in general, the investment cost can be offset in the long term due to savings on electricity bills. The savings obtained will depend on the consumption of each home, but it is estimated that they can be significant, reducing up to 70% or more of the electricity bill.
Is it necessary to have batteries for residential self-consumption?
It is not strictly necessary to have batteries for residential self-consumption. In the case of connected self-consumption, the installation is connected to the conventional electrical grid, which allows the surplus energy produced during the day to be used at times of lower solar radiation. However, in isolated self-consumption, where there is no connection to the grid, batteries or generators may be necessary to guarantee electricity supply in times of low solar radiation. The need for batteries will depend on the desired energy autonomy.
