How a photovoltaic installation works when exporting and consuming your own electricity

green line: Flow of current for generated solar power
yellow line: Flow of current for power purchased from an energy provider

How a photovoltaic installation works

Solar power is generated by the photovoltaic modules (1) as direct current (DC) and is converted into 230 V AC (alternating current) in the inverter (2). A PV meter (3) records the number of kilowatt hours generated. An electricity import meter (4) records the electricity which is drawn from the normal mains supply.

The solar output can be conveniently displayed and evaluated using the Schüco Sunalyzer Web PR data logger. The Schüco Sunalyzer Web PR can also be used as a control unit when the solar power is to be used later.

Can be retrofitted for own power consumption at any time

For installations up to 30 kW installed as from 2009 and for installations up to 500 kW installed as from July 2010, a sum is paid for every kilowatt hour used (own power consumption). Systems already installed can be retrofitted cost-effectively for own use of the solar power generated.

For this, you will need a special meter (5) which records the proportion of your own solar electricity that you have used. For the solar power you don't use yourself you receive the full feed-in tariff. Any electricity requirement which exceeds the solar output is met from the mains supply as before.

Balance and control of your own power consumption

The touch screen of the Schüco Sunalyzer Web PR data logger (6) can provide information on current solar power generation and your own power consumption. If the solar output is greater than the electricity consumption, the data logger will automatically control the consumers in the household. Therefore, the proportion of consumption from your own power is automatically maximised.