Residential Photovoltaic Profitability with Storage under the New Spanish Regulation: A Multi-Scenario Analysis

Abstract

In recent years, solar price drops and regulations have helped residential users to invest in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) facilities. In Spain, a novel law promotes self-consumption by discounting electricity fed into the grid from the utility bill. However, the performance of PV-based facilities depends on diverse factors. The contribution of this paper is to evaluate the techno-economic performance of such installations for different considerations linked to the Spanish law. A simulation model is used to examine different representative cities, load profiles and alternative objectives: maximising profitability and self-sufficiency. For profit maximisation, results show that load profile variations entail PV size changes up to 5 kWp for the same location, together with huge economic and self-sufficiency differences. In contrast, the solar radiation and compensation rate have a more limited influence. For self-sufficiency maximisation, the economic performance drops close to EUR 0, as benefits are used to double the PV size, buy batteries and reach close to 70% self-sufficiency. Finally, a sensitivity analysis shows a limited impact of the utility tariff and the technology cost on the PV size, but a relevant influence on the benefits. These results can help investors and families to quantify the risks and benefits of domestic self-consumption facilities.

Increasing Energy Self-Consumption in Residential Photovoltaic Systems with Heat Pumps in Poland

“…In the article [23], authors presented the results of SC under various installed capacity conditions, orientation and inclination of the PV panels in Córdoba, Spain. In another study [24], authors proposed a simulation model for residential PV-battery systems under Spanish regulation. The solutions proposed in the work allowed for achieving SC growth by 25% [24].…”

“…In another study [24], authors proposed a simulation model for residential PV-battery systems under Spanish regulation. The solutions proposed in the work allowed for achieving SC growth by 25% [24]. In the simulation work [25], authors evaluated terms of performance control strategies for the heating system with ASHP and PV installation and utilization of energy in storage in a single-family house.…”

Increasing Energy Self-Consumption in Residential Photovoltaic Systems

“…Varo-Martínez et al in the article [22] presented the results of SC under different conditions of installed power, orientation and inclination of the PV panels in Córdoba, Spain. In the paper [23] Domenech et al proposed a simulation model for residential PV-battery systems under Spanish regulation. The solutions proposed in the work allowed for achieving SC growth by 25% [23].…”

“…In the paper [23] Domenech et al proposed a simulation model for residential PV-battery systems under Spanish regulation. The solutions proposed in the work allowed for achieving SC growth by 25% [23]. In the simulation study [24] authors evaluated terms of performance control strategies for the heating system with ASHP and PV installation and utilization of energy in storage in a single-family house.…”