Solar PV self-consumption: An analysis of influencing indicators in the Portuguese context

摘要

AbstractFostered by the emerging distributed energy paradigm, solar photovoltaic energy (PV) deployment has been evolving, both in developing and developed countries. With recent legislation for renewable energy in Portugal, which stimulates self-consumption (SC), PV energy is assumed as the most convenient technology to be applied for distributed generation.This paper evaluates the adequacy and potential impact of PV systems for self-consumption, using a techno-economic performance analysis. For that, real demand profiles from different sectors - residential, retail, hotels and industrial consumers - and simulated solar PV production profiles for different locations, are considered, regarding different panel orientations and tilts. To assess the optimumprosumerprofile, discounted payback time (DPBT) and interest rate of investment (IRR) are used as reference metrics.The SC drivers found are tariff and the demand pattern, but also the remuneration of the solar energy surplus. Accommodation and Retail sectors are the prosumers that present the best energy and economic results, with DPBT of 3–6 years and IRR from 17% to 27%, for optimal orientation and location. Given the diversity of domestic consumers, the best prosumers are found for flat or profiles with diurnal occupation, with a self-consumption of 17% and a DPBT of 7 years.Highlights?The work explores the adequacy of self-consumption policies to real demand profiles.?Study economic and energy impact of different orientations and tilts of PV panels.?Residential, Retail, Industry and Hotels prosumers profiles are tested.?Retail and Hotels are more suitable for SC systems, with higher IRR and SS rates.?Results highly dependent on tariffs and demand pattern.]]>