What is collective self-consumption?

THEThe energy reality in Spain is changing at breakneck speed. But if there is something that is going to mark a before and after in the transition to a more sustainable energy model, that is collective self -consumption . This sustainable model takes giant steps towards becoming the most widespread.

What is collective self-consumption?

Royal Decree-Law 15/2018 of October 5 , marked a milestone in collective self-consumption, since the following three main points are established in the text:

• Cancellation of the sun tax.
• Simplification of the classification of self-consumption installations.
• Authorization of collective self-consumption.

This new legislation approved in 2019, among which the new energy self-consumption law stands out through a Royal Decree (RD 244/2019, of April 5), establishes the new administrative, technical and economic conditions for self-consumption of electricity.

But not only that, but also regulates other aspects not defined in previous regulations such as shared self -consumption . Thanks to this regulation, several consumers can benefit from a single photovoltaic installation , promoting the reduction of the amortization years and increasing the profitability of the systems.

What does collective self-consumption consist of?

What is collective self-consumption? According to Royal Decree 244/2019 of April 5, collective self-consumption is understood when a group of consumers is fed, in a previously agreed manner, with electrical energy that comes from production facilities close to the place where they are consumed and associated with it. .

We call collective self -consumption the production of energy through a generally photovoltaic installation, which is self-consumed in a shared manner among several users. This modality of shared solar self -consumption is recognized only for neighborhood communities whose solar panel installation is located at a maximum distance of 500 meters from the place where the self-consumption will take place.

It is essential that the photovoltaic production installation and the self-consumers are in the same cadastral reference . Or, to be even more precise, they must share at least the first fourteen reference digits .

But, if there is something even more positive about this new legislation, it is that it allows the installation not only to be carried out in blocks of flats, but also gives the opportunity to carry it out in single-family housing developments . Option for which the installation would be carried out in one of the houses and, through some inverters, the houses would benefit from the energy produced by the panels.

It should be remembered that Royal Decree 900/2015 prohibited this type of installation, preventing residential buildings and semi-detached single-family homes from consuming self-generated electricity together.

Undoubtedly, a fundamental step since the estimated savings in the monthly electricity bill can be around 40% , something that guarantees the recovery of the investment in around 4 years .

How is the energy generated distributed among its participants?

To benefit from the installation of solar panels for shared self-consumption, you must reach an agreement with the rest of the users , whether they are residents of a community (in which case they must be more than 2/3) or of a semi-detached house.

These neighbors must sign a distribution agreement in which it will be established how said photovoltaic production will be distributed based on a coefficient that must be communicated to the distributor.

The distribution coefficient to which we refer is the mechanism by which the generated energy is distributed. In addition, Royal Decree 244/2019 establishes the different possible ways of distribution so that self-consumers can choose the one that best suits their reality.

If you want more information, here you can learn more about photovoltaic self-consumption for homes .

Collective self-consumption in industrial estates

Once we have seen that collective self-consumption is a very attractive solution in neighborhood communities , it should be noted that this formula is equally very interesting for its installation in industrial estates . The main reason that makes the commitment to this energy model irresistible is the savings in electricity bills for participating companies. But we also find arguments about ease of installation , concern for the environment and agility in terms of investment and amortization.

In industrial estates, the highest levels of energy consumption usually occur during working hours . A section that coincides, for the most part, with the hours of maximum photovoltaic energy production. The surfaces of the ships have a lot of square meters and can always be extended with the cover of a neighboring ship. Let us remember that the only requirement to enlarge the installation is that there be a distance between the two buildings of less than 500 meters , which is the distance at which collective installations are allowed.

When two or more companies in the same polygon and with a separation of less than 500 m, decide to share the photovoltaic installation, they can do so through a direct connection cable with the installation or through a connection with the electrical network based on the coefficient established distribution.

The path to a sunnier future

There is no doubt that collective self-consumption may be the answer they were looking for to the dependence on traditional energy sources. A transition that at POWEN we would like to make much easier for everyone, even for those who do not have enough space in their community to install solar panels.

For this reason we offer you the possibility of benefiting from collective self-consumption, even if you do not have your own installation . With our POWEN Connect service you have the possibility of connecting to a nearby installation for a fixed fee per month that will allow you to save up to 40% on your electricity consumption from day one.

At POWEN we believe in the possibility of a more sustainable future , which is why we put all the options at your fingertips, so that your transition to greener energy is much easier. Do not hesitate to contact us to expand this or any information regarding photovoltaic self-consumption.