What happens to excess solar power?
Excess solar electricity is electricity that is produced by solar panels, but which is not used immediately for the property’s own needs. This extra electricity can be generated especially on sunny days, when the solar panels produce more electricity than the property consumes. This article discusses what happens to this excess solar power and how it can be utilized.
Using excess solar electricity
There are several possible uses for excess solar electricity. The most common ways are listed below:
- Selling to the electricity grid: One of the most common ways to utilize excess solar electricity is to sell it back to the electricity grid. Many utility companies offer the option of purchasing excess solar power, and the reimbursement from this can help cover the cost of purchasing and installing solar panels. This process is known as netting or net-metering. More information about netting can be found on Energiavirasto’s website.
- Battery storage: Excess solar electricity can be stored in batteries for later use. This is especially useful when the solar panels are not producing electricity, such as at night or on cloudy days. Battery storage solutions have developed significantly in recent years, and they offer an efficient way to maximize the utilization of solar electricity.
- Heating and cooling: Excess solar electricity can also be used for heating or cooling the property. For example, heat pumps that operate on electricity can make use of excess electricity, which reduces the need to buy electricity from the grid.
- Electric car charging: If the property has an electric car, the excess solar electricity can be used to charge the car. This is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to utilize excess electricity.
The challenges of excess solar electricity
Although there are many advantages to utilizing excess solar electricity, it also comes with challenges:
- Storage costs: Battery storage solutions can be expensive, and their acquisition and maintenance costs can be significant. It is important to assess whether battery storage is financially viable.
- Grid infrastructure: The capacity and infrastructure of the electricity grid can limit the sale of excess solar electricity back to the grid. In some areas, the power grid may not be able to handle large amounts of distributed power generation.
- Weather conditions: Solar electricity production is dependent on weather conditions, and fluctuations in production can make it difficult to predict and manage excess electricity.
Summary
Excess solar electricity offers many opportunities, but its utilization requires careful planning and investments. Selling to the electricity grid, battery storage, heating and cooling, and charging electric cars are all efficient ways to utilize excess solar electricity. However, it is also important to take into account potential challenges, such as storage costs and power grid capacity. More information on the utilization of solar electricity can be found, for example, on Motiva’s website.
