Self-consumption

When solar panels produce more than the house needs, the surplus goes to the grid. Self-consumption is the part of the solar energy you use yourself. It matters because each kWh used directly is a kWh not bought at the full retail price, while exported energy is often paid less, depending on the contract. It differs from self-sufficiency, the share of your total use that your panels cover.

The share rises when consumption moves into sunny hours: the dishwasher at midday, a heat pump, car charging, or a battery for the evening, which an energy management system can automate. EU law calls a final customer, a household for example, that produces renewable electricity for its own use, and may store or sell the surplus, a “renewables self-consumer”; neighbors can also share energy through an energy community.

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