Analysis of Photovoltaic Self-Consumption Systems

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 CO 2 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 CO 2 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.

Economic Analysis of a Photovoltaic System: A Resource for Residential Households

“…The literature has defined also as the self-consumption is the critical variable that influences the profitability or less of a PV system in a mature market without subsidies [12,13]. Consumers can try to match own consumption with peaks of production solar, but not always this is possible.…”

“…They are strategic in developing markets [10,11] and the share of self-consumption becomes relevant in mature markets [12,13]. The next years will be characterized by an integration of PV installations in urban areas with the development of models of distributed generation increasing numbers of prosumers (consumers are also producers) [14,15].…”

“…NPV and DPBT are basically used to evaluate residential PV systems [18], IRR can cause conflicting answers (multiple IRR can occur) when compared to NPV in mutually exclusive investments [22], B/C permits to translate environmental impacts in economic terms [23] and LCOE is typically used to compare the cost of the energy obtained from different sources [24]. The grid parity is obtained when the solar PV LCOE is comparable with conventional technologies grid electricity prices [13]. The International Energy Agency Report 2015 (projected costs of generating electricity) defines that the costs of generating electricity vary in according to both market conditions and operative conditions of the use of individual technologies.…”

The Profitability of Residential Photovoltaic Systems. A New Scheme of Subsidies Based on the Price of CO2 in a Developed PV Market

“…Results proposed in this work underline that the share of self-consumption plays a role more critical than subsidies. The profitability of residential PV systems depends by this variable in a mature market (Sarasa-Maestro et al 2016). A value of 30% is used typically in the evaluation of economic feasibility, because the production of energy from PV modules has its peak during the day, while consumers are busy to work outside the home.…”

Grid-Tied Photovoltaic and Battery Storage Systems with Malaysian Electricity Tariff—A Review on Maximum Demand Shaving

“…A self-consumption PV maximizes the use of solar array-produced electricity on-site and minimizes the electricity used from the utility grid. Self-consumption is economically feasible, although its profitability relies on the regulatory policies that are set by various countries [24]. Different forms of incentives exist for renewable energy, for instance, feed-in tariff (FiT), net metering (NEM), quota and trading systems, portfolio standards, tax credits, as well as pricing laws.…”