Self-consumption consists of using the radiation that comes from the sun to generate electricity, which can be used for any purpose; i.e. the fact of producing our own energy is known as self-consumption. Any equipment or installation that consumes electricity can be supplied by means of a self-consumption installation.

When we talk about self-consumption, we’re talking about installations with an activated electricity supply and whose purpose is to complement the supply of energy provided by the solar installation.

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We speak of individual self-consumption when the installation is used to supply energy to a single consumer or in other words, when there is only one supply point registered and associated with that installation. 

In the case of several consumers or several supply points linked to a self-consumption installation, we will be talking about "collective self-consumption". An example of that would be a residential property owners’ association where there are several different suppliers and they decide to share a solar installation and distribute the energy generated.

A self-consumption installation has surpluses when the consumer is not able to use all the energy generated and therefore has a surplus, which is to say, an excess of production. If the consumer is capable of using all the energy produces there will be no surplus.

The energy transferred to the network can be used in two ways:

• Compensation for in billing (simplified compensation)
• Energy sale contract. This process is complex and requires registration as a producer Except for special cases, we recommend not doing this for installations below 100 kW.
• Another possibility to manage surpluses is to store the excess energy in batteries in order to have it available when it is needed. Battery prices are currently very competitive and it’s an excellent option.

A self-consumer can benefit from the surplus compensation when the production installation is less than or equal to 100kW; if the power is greater than 100kW, the energy will be sold on the market through a market representation contract signed with the marketer.

On the bill, a valuation of the surpluses is made at a price previously stipulated and agreed with Feníe Energía or may be valued indexed to wholesale market prices.

The compensation consists in valuing the surpluses at that price and then subtracting them from the bill. 

The consumer will continue to pay the fixed part of the bill, which is to say the power term and the taxes, and at most it will be possible to compensate the amount corresponding to the variable part of the bill, i.e. the amount of the kWh consumed. That part cannot be negative, therefore the maximum sum to be compensated will be that which makes that amount zero. This is a compensation in economic terms rather than in energy terms.

A self-consumption installation consists of several elements:

• First of all, it includes a generator field, mainly made up of photovoltaic panels. The energy produced by this equipment is direct current.
• Secondly, we have a grid inverter with the function of converting the energy generated with the panels into alternating current, so that it can be consumed in the consumer's regular grid and also allows us to visualize the energy generated and consumed through application or web portal that receives the data from the installation.
• The photovoltaic modules sit on a structure, mainly made up of metal parts to which the solar panels are attached by means of screws and fixings.
• The installation features cabling and electrical protection to ensure the safety of the installation.

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The surface that occupies the installation varies depending on the number of modules installed but approximately one installation with 1kW peak would be formed by 2-4 panels, occupying a surface of between 4 and 8m2.

Yes, self-consumption will always mean savings, but it is important to carry out a study of the real needs of the consumer so that the installation is correctly dimensioned and the energy generated maximised where possible for a profitable and sustainable model. 

Self-consumption has innumerable advantages both for the owner and the environment. 

For the home or business owner, they get a very beneficial and competitive long-term economic model for electricity consumption that will increase the value of the property, ensuring energy savings, according to the type of facility, helping to increase the purchase power of the owner.

In terms of the environment, the generation of solar energy achieves considerable reductions in, or even the elimination of, CO2 equivalent emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to the reduction of emissions and helping to create a sustainable future.