Understanding Solar Terminology 2 - What is Self-sufficiency?
2022-06-22
#Understanding Solar Terminology
AlphaESS Tip 2
★What is Self-sufficiency?
Generally speaking, the term #Selfsufficiency, means the capability of providing for one's own needs. In today's energy transition, it is defined as the share of total demand that is being supplied by your PV production.
In practice, the self-sufficiency ratio refers to how much of the consumed energy, came from the photovoltaic system.
Basic formula: Electricity consumed from PV / total electricity consumed
★What are the differences between Self-sufficiency & Self-consumption?
The self-sufficiency ration is important metric in the case where the energy consumption is higher than the actual production of the PV system (or when the consumption curve does not match the production curve).
The ratio of self-consumption describes the local use of PV electricity while the self-sufficiency ratio describes how PV production can cover the needs of where it is installed.
These two concepts both play important roles in the development of prosumers.
