What is it about?
This article evaluates the technical impact of combining residential photovoltaic (PV) self-consumption with battery storage across several scenarios in a low-voltage network. Using real consumption and solar production profiles from Portugal, the study simulates the effects of different configurations—self-consumption only, with net metering, and with battery storage—on grid voltage profiles, losses, and PV hosting capacity. The analysis shows that storage systems can enhance the benefits of self-consumption but also introduces trade-offs that must be considered in planning and policy design.
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Why is it important?
As more households adopt solar panels, local grids face new technical challenges, such as voltage fluctuations and capacity limits. This study demonstrates that integrating batteries into residential PV systems can help stabilize grid operation and enable higher levels of renewable energy integration. The findings provide actionable insights for grid operators, policymakers, and homeowners interested in optimizing self-consumption strategies while supporting overall grid reliability.
Perspectives
This work reflects my ongoing commitment to connecting technical innovation with practical applications in distributed energy systems. By analyzing realistic scenarios with actual data, we were able to provide guidance not only for researchers, but also for stakeholders who are shaping the future of sustainable energy in urban and suburban communities.
Dr Fernando M Camilo
Universidade de Lisboa
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Economic assessment of residential PV systems with self-consumption and storage in Portugal, Solar Energy, July 2017, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.04.062.
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