What is a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
A self-consumption photovoltaic system is a set of solar panels that are installed in a home or building to produce electrical energy and consume it immediately, without depending on the conventional electrical grid. These systems usually include batteries to store the energy produced and be able to use it at times when there is no sunlight, such as at night or during cloudy days.
What are the advantages of installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
There are many advantages of installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system:
- Savings on the electricity bill: Once the cost of the installation has been amortized, the savings on the electricity bill can be significant, since energy that has been produced in the building itself is being consumed instead of acquiring it from the network electrical.
- Savings in the consumption of fossil fuels: By producing electrical energy from sunlight, dependence on fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, is being reduced, which contributes to the fight against climate change and environmental pollution .
- Greater energy independence: By not depending on the electrical grid, you have greater control over the energy supply and are less exposed to cuts or price increases.
- Increase in property value: A photovoltaic installation can increase the value of a property, since it is an energy improvement that can be attractive to future buyers or tenants.
What are the disadvantages of installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
Although installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system can have many advantages, there are also some drawbacks that are important to take into account:
- Installation Cost: Although the price of solar panels has been falling in recent years, installing a photovoltaic system is still a significant investment. However, there are grants and subsidies available to facilitate the financing of these facilities.
- Necessary space: Solar panels take up a certain space, so it is important to keep in mind that it is necessary to have an adequate surface on which to install them. In the case of buildings, it may be necessary to have a roof or façade with sufficient solar exposure.
- Climate dependence: The efficiency of solar panels depends on the amount of sunlight they receive, so in areas with little light or many clouds they may produce less energy than expected.
- Legalization process: Installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system requires following a legalization process that can be a bit complex and require the hiring of specialized professionals.
What processes are necessary to legalize an installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems?
To legalize an installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems, it is necessary to follow the following steps:
- Request a connection to the electrical grid: It is necessary to request a connection to the electrical grid to be able to sell the energy that is produced in excess.
- Request an authorization for installation: Depending on the place where the photovoltaic system is going to be installed, it may be necessary to request a building authorization or permit.
- Conduct a feasibility study: It is important to conduct a feasibility study to ensure that the facility is technically feasible and that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
- Hire a specialized professional: It is advisable to hire a professional specialized in photovoltaic installations to carry out the project and installation correctly and safely.
- Registration of the installation: Once the installation is completed, it is necessary to register it in the Registry of Renewable Installations of the corresponding Autonomous Community.
Are there subsidies available for the installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems?
Yes, there are various subsidies available for the installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems, both at national, regional and local levels. Some of the best known are:
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Regional and local subsidies: Depending on the autonomous community or city council where the installation is located, there may be specific subsidies for the installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems. It is important to find out about the options available in the area where the system will be installed.
It is important to keep in mind that the conditions and requirements of each subsidy may vary, so it is advisable to inform yourself and consult with specialized professionals before starting the installation process.
What is the installation process of a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
The installation process of a self-consumption photovoltaic system usually includes the following steps:
- Evaluation of the installation site: Before starting the installation, it is important to evaluate the place where the system is going to be installed. The solar exposure, orientation and inclination of the place, as well as the load capacity of the structure where the system is going to be installed, must be taken into account.
- System design: Once the installation site has been evaluated, we proceed to design the system. The quantity and size of the necessary solar panels, their location and the size and type of batteries needed to store the energy produced are determined.
- Installation of solar panels: Once the system is designed, the solar panels are installed. This may include preparing the installation site, securing the panels to the structure, and connecting them to the battery and inverter.
- Installation of the battery and inverter: Once the solar panels are installed, we proceed to install the battery and the inverter. The battery is responsible for storing the energy produced by the panels and the inverter converts the energy produced by the panels from direct current to alternating current, which is the way it is used in most appliances and electrical appliances.
- Commissioning and maintenance: Once the installation is complete, the system is commissioned and a review is carried out to ensure that everything is working correctly. It is important to carry out periodic maintenance of the system to ensure its optimal operation and prolong its useful life.
How long does an installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems last?
The time it takes to install a self-consumption photovoltaic system depends on several factors, such as the size of the system, the complexity of the project, and the availability of the necessary materials and professionals. In general, it can be estimated that an installation of self-consumption photovoltaic systems can take between a few days and several weeks.
It is important to keep in mind that, in addition to the installation time, it is necessary to take into account the time it takes to complete all the procedures and processes necessary to legalize the installation. This may include the request for connection to the electrical grid, the request for authorization or work permit and the registration of the installation in the Registry of Renewable Installations of the corresponding Autonomous Community.
How much does it cost to install a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
The cost of installing a self-consumption photovoltaic system varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the system, the complexity of the project and geographical location. In general, it can be estimated that the cost of a photovoltaic installation can range between a few thousand euros and several hundred thousand euros.
It is important to keep in mind that the cost of installation is a long-term investment, since photovoltaic systems usually have a useful life of between 25 and 30 years. Although the initial cost may be high, the savings on the electricity bill and the savings on fossil fuel consumption can make the investment profitable in the long term.
Is it necessary to have a specific orientation and inclination to install a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
Yes, the orientation and inclination of the place where a self-consumption photovoltaic system is installed are important factors to take into account to maximize the efficiency of the system.
The orientation of the solar panels should be towards the south to make the most of the sunlight. In the case of buildings, it is important to take into account the orientation of the roof or façade where the panels are going to be installed.
The inclination of the panels is also important, since the greater the inclination, the greater the amount of sunlight they receive. In general, an inclination of between 30 and 40 degrees is recommended to maximize energy production. In the case of buildings, it is important to take into account the inclination of the roof or façade where the panels are to be installed.
Is it necessary to have additional space to install a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
Yes, it is necessary to have adequate space to install a self-consumption photovoltaic system. Solar panels take up a certain space, so it is important to keep in mind that it is necessary to have a suitable surface on which to install them.
In the case of buildings, it may be necessary to have a roof or façade with sufficient solar exposure. In the case of single-family homes, it may be necessary to have a terrace or garden with enough space.
It is important to keep in mind that, in addition to the solar panels, it is necessary to have space to store the battery and the inverter, which are usually similar in size to a refrigerator or freezer.
Is it necessary to carry out special maintenance on self-consumption photovoltaic systems?
Yes, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance on self-consumption photovoltaic systems to guarantee their optimal functioning and prolong their useful life.
Maintenance of photovoltaic systems typically includes cleaning and maintaining the solar panels, checking and replacing the batteries and inverter if necessary, and checking and repairing any system components that are not working properly.
It is important to keep in mind that the maintenance of self-consumption photovoltaic systems can be a complex process and require the hiring of specialized professionals. Therefore, it is advisable to contract a maintenance service with a specialized company to guarantee optimal operation of the system.
Is it possible to sell the surplus energy produced by a self-consumption photovoltaic system?
Yes, it is possible to sell the surplus energy produced by a self-consumption photovoltaic system. To do this, it is necessary to request a connection to the electrical grid and comply with the requirements established by the electrical company and current regulations.
Once the connection to the electrical grid is made, it is possible to sell the excess energy produced by the photovoltaic system to the electrical company. It is important to keep in mind that the price of surplus energy may vary depending on the electricity company and the geographical area where the installation is located.
It is important to keep in mind that, in order to sell the surplus energy produced by a self-consumption photovoltaic system, it is necessary to have a bidirectional meter that allows measuring the energy that is produced and that which is consumed. It is advisable to inform yourself and consult with specialized professionals before starting the process of connecting to the electrical grid and selling surplus energy.
- Are there different types of self-consumption photovoltaic systems?
Yes, there are different types of self-consumption photovoltaic systems, which differ depending on the way in which they are connected to the electrical grid and the way in which the energy produced is used.
The main types of self-consumption photovoltaic systems are:
Isolated photovoltaic systems: Isolated photovoltaic systems are not connected to the electrical grid and are used to supply a home or building autonomously. These systems usually have an energy storage battery and an inverter to convert the energy produced by the panels from direct current to alternating current.
Grid-connected photovoltaic systems: Grid-connected photovoltaic systems are connected to the electrical grid and can sell the excess energy produced to the electricity supplier. These systems usually have a bidirectional meter that measures the energy produced and consumed.
Photovoltaic systems with self-consumption and storage: Photovoltaic systems with self-consumption and storage are similar to grid-connected photovoltaic systems, but include an energy storage battery to be able to use the energy produced autonomously in the event of a power outage.
It is important to keep in mind that each type of self-consumption photovoltaic system has its advantages and disadvantages, and that the most appropriate type of system will depend on the needs and characteristics of each particular case. It is advisable to inform yourself and consult with specialized professionals before deciding what type of self-consumption photovoltaic system to install.