As solar energy continues to gain popularity among homeowners, understanding solar self-consumption has become increasingly important. It’s a key concept that can help you get the most value from your solar panel system. But what exactly is solar self-consumption, and how can you optimise it? In this post, we’ll break down what solar self-consumption is and offer some practical strategies to boost it for greater energy savings.
What is Solar Self-Consumption?
Solar self-consumption refers to the proportion of the solar energy generated by your photovoltaic (PV) system that is used directly by your household. In simple terms, it’s the energy produced by your solar panels that you consume on-site rather than exporting it back to the grid.
For example, if your solar panels produce 10 kWh of electricity in a day and your home uses 4 kWh of that energy directly, your self-consumption rate is 40%. The remaining energy is typically sent to the grid and you could get paid for this, depending on the SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) arrangements that your utility provider has.
Maximising self-consumption is beneficial because the electricity you use directly is essentially free, while the compensation you get for exporting excess energy is often lower than the cost of buying energy back from the grid. By increasing your self-consumption, you can maximise savings and reduce dependence on external electricity.
Why is Increasing Solar Self-Consumption Important?
The goal for many solar panel owners is to consume as much of their own solar energy as possible. This reduces energy bills and increases the return on investment (ROI) of their solar system. As utility companies gradually shift towards time-of-use pricing and lower compensation for exported energy, improving self-consumption becomes even more crucial.
Let’s explore some effective ways to enhance solar self-consumption:
1. Time Your Energy Usage Wisely
One of the simplest strategies is to align your energy usage with peak solar production times. Solar panels generate the most energy during midday when the sun is strongest, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM. Running energy-intensive appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and pool pumps during these hours helps you directly use your solar energy rather than drawing from the grid.
2. Use Smart Home Technology
Smart devices and home automation can significantly boost self-consumption. Smart home systems allow you to automate when certain appliances run, ensuring they operate during peak solar production hours. For example, a smart water heater can be programmed to heat water when your panels are generating the most energy.
3. Install a Solar Battery System
Adding a battery storage system is one of the most effective ways to increase self-consumption. A solar battery stores excess energy generated during the day so you can use it later when the sun isn’t shining, like in the evening or early morning. While this requires additional investment, it can dramatically reduce your reliance on grid electricity, enhance energy independence and provide backup power during outages.
4. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances consume less power, allowing you to maximise the energy generated by your solar system. Look for high-efficiency models with ENERGY STAR ratings. Combining these with smart technology ensures your appliances are both efficient and optimally timed to run during peak solar hours.
5. Switch to Electric Heating and Hot Water Systems
If you use gas or oil for heating, switching to electric alternatives like heat pumps or electric water heaters can help increase your solar self-consumption. Since these systems can be programmed to operate when solar production is high, you’ll be using more of your solar energy to cover your heating needs.
6. Install a Power Diverter
A power diverter redirects excess solar energy that would normally be exported to the grid to heat your water or power other appliances. By using surplus solar power to heat your water through an immersion heater or power specific devices, you can increase your solar self-consumption without needing to install a battery, making it a cost-effective option for maximising your solar system’s efficiency.
7. Monitor and Optimise Your Solar System’s Performance
Regular monitoring helps you identify inefficiencies in your solar system and adjust your energy usage accordingly. Many solar inverters and monitoring apps provide real-time data on energy production and consumption. By keeping an eye on this information, you can make more informed decisions about when and how to use electricity, helping you achieve better self-consumption rates.
8. Charge Devices During the Daytime
Although it’s tempting to charge your devices while you sleep, optimising your charging times can save you hundreds of pounds on your electricity bill, depending on what and how much you’re charging.
Whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, electric vehicle or cordless gardening tool, it’s much more cost effective to charge it when the sun is shining. If you’re out during the day, consider charging your devices in the morning or right when you get home to make the most of your available solar power.
Final Thoughts
Maximising solar self-consumption is key to getting the most out of your solar investment. By adjusting your energy habits, investing in smart technology and considering battery storage, you can enhance your energy savings and increase your home’s energy independence. As solar energy continues to evolve, focusing on self-consumption ensures that you’re making the most of the clean energy your system produces.
Sunlit Solar is here to help you optimise your solar system and achieve the highest self-consumption possible. Get in touch with us to learn more about how you can take full advantage of your solar power:
📞 Call us at 01458 834 936
📧 Email us at info@sunlit-solar.co.uk
💻 Visit our website: www.sunlit-solar.co.uk