Analysis of Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Systems

Carlos Sarasa-Maestro,Rodolfo Dufo-López,José Bernal-Agustín

doi:10.3390/en9090681

Abstract

Components and installation prices could make the self-consumption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems competitive. In this paper, we explore different self-consumption options, off-grid PV systems (with back-up generator and/or batteries), and grid-connected PV systems under net-metering policies. The calculation of the net present cost (NPC) reveals that the grid-connected PV-only case (for the net-metering scheme) is the most attractive from the technical and financial points of view, with a levelised cost of energy less than 0.1 €/kWh. Off-grid PV + Diesel + Batteries has a higher cost, around two or three times the grid-connected PV-only under net metering. Additionally, the off-grid PV + Diesel is less attractive from a financial point of view, which has a cost of around 10 times the PV-only under net metering. In addition, the values of life cycle CO2 emissions in each of the cases studied have been compared, and we have concluded that although the off-grid PV + Diesel + Batteries system presents lower CO2 emissions than the PV-only system, the existence of batteries does not allow one to affirm that the PV + Diesel + Batteries system is the best from an environmental point of view.

Highlights

Due to the many incentive programs that have been approved in the different countries where solar PV has been developed, PV generation has become one the most encouraged sources of energy generation [1]
One of the main policy differences across the European countries is the possibility of consuming generated energy after it has been measured in the output meter (i.e., feed-in tariff (FiT)) [2]. When this option is enabled along with some kind of incentive scheme, the owner’s cost per kilowatt-hour of energy consumed can be cheaper than that provided by the distributor network operator (DNO), as this system remunerates the owner for every kilowatt-hour generated
Considering all of the above, this paper presents a study about self-consumption in Spain, focusing on the economic and environmental aspects

Summary

Introduction

Due to the many incentive programs that have been approved in the different countries where solar PV has been developed, PV generation has become one the most encouraged sources of energy generation [1]. One of the main policy differences across the European countries is the possibility of consuming generated energy after it has been measured in the output meter (i.e., feed-in tariff (FiT)) [2] When this option is enabled along with some kind of incentive scheme, the owner’s cost per kilowatt-hour of energy consumed can be cheaper than that provided by the distributor network operator (DNO), as this system remunerates the owner for every kilowatt-hour generated. Assuming that grid parity is achieved, solar PV generation energy can be sold through the grid at a price similar to its purchase price This scenario gives the energy provider multiple business opportunities, such as becoming a residential or commercial energy distributor. Economic fluctuations and financial stability can vary by country [4]

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Conclusion