Assessing the impact of photovoltaic self-consumption support policies on energy losses

Abstract

In recent years, self-consumption concept has been gaining more and more importance within the energy model of developed countries. Specifically, the number of photovoltaic (PV) self-consumption installations has grown strongly due to cost reductions. In this context, different regulatory frameworks are being developed in order to regulate the deployment of this type of installations. The regulatory framework will also have an important impact on energy losses. In this paper, an analysis on how energy losses are affected by two different regulatory framework approaches (“instantaneous or realtime self-consumption scheme” and “net-metering scheme”) is presented. A significant region of Spain (Murcia) and real data of load demand have been used. Simulation results show a decrease of energy losses at low self-consumption adoption levels with both regulatory frameworks. However, energy losses increase at medium and high adoption levels when net-metering scheme is used.