With the introduction of feed-in tariffs, it has become even more important to use the solar energy you generate yourself. This reduces grid congestion and also lowers your feed-in costs. How exactly do you do this? We’ll explain it to you!
There are a number of ways to increase your direct self-consumption, and it all comes down to behavioral changes. Everyone has appliances in their home that they don’t necessarily need to turn on at a specific time. Consider your dishwasher, for example. It can be helpful to run your washing machine or dishwasher during sunny hours. The newest appliances can often be turned on remotely, while other models have a timer you can set.
If you turn on the dishwasher first, followed by the washing machine, air conditioner, and finally the dryer when you get home, your consumption will be more evenly divided. This way, you avoid using more power than you generate and make more efficient use of your own energy. Washing programs, in particular, require the most power in the first hour. Note: if all your panels face south, you will have a higher peak of solar energy than if your panels are arranged east-west.
Another advantage is that if you have a central inverter, it will fail less often. When the sun shines, the grid creates a peak and overload. By turning on appliances during sunny hours, you reduce the peak, and your inverter will continue running smoothly.
If your central heating boiler is due for replacement soon, consider using an electric boiler or heat pump. The big advantage is that you can heat the water in the storage tank during the day with your generated electricity, making the process more sustainable.
An air conditioning unit in combination with solar panels is an extremely efficient combination. The power generated can be used to heat your home on cold days or to cool it on hot days. This also helps reduce your gas bill. If you turn on the air conditioner during the day or just before you come home from work, you’ll arrive at a wonderfully heated or cooled house. Most air conditioners can even be turned on and off remotely.
These days, home batteries are becoming increasingly common. Of course, it’s also useful to store your generated energy for when the sun isn’t shining. This way, you can still watch TV, play games, cook, or shower sustainably. With the end of the balancing scheme in 2027 approaching, the home battery is becoming even more attractive. You can already have a 5 kW home battery installed in your home for as little as €3,950, including VAT and installation!
Charging your electric car after working hours is still a good option due to the balancing scheme. In most cases, the car is away from home during the day and returns to your driveway after work. In many cases, the sun no longer shines enough to fully charge your car. If your car is in your driveway during the day, leave it plugged in as much as possible. This way, you’ll definitely benefit from it!
With Currentt’s Local Energy Management System you can get more out of the energy you generate yourself. The system intelligently manages solar panels, home batteries, charging stations, heat pumps and other devices to maximize your self-consumption. This means you feed less energy back into the grid and immediately reduce your feed-in costs or even avoid them altogether. Efficient, smart and future-proof.
As you can see, there are many ways to increase your direct consumption and reduce your feed in costs. Would you like to discuss this with us? Fill in your details and we will get in touch with you shortly.
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