What does self-consumption mean when you have solar panels?

When you hear the term self-consumption in connection with solar panels, it's about one thing: How large a proportion of your solar panel production you use yourself in your home at the moment the electricity is produced. The higher your self-consumption, the faster the system pays for itself.

How does self-consumption work?

Solar panels produce electricity during the daytime – typically from 8 AM to 6 PM. If you turn on the dishwasher, charge your electric car, or use electricity during that period, you are using it directly from the solar panels and avoid buying electricity from the grid. This is what is called self-consumption. The rest of the electricity – i.e., what you don't use immediately – is sent out to the grid and typically sold for a lower price.

Example: Production, consumption, and sale

Without a battery, you might use 3,500 kWh directly and sell the rest for a lower price. With a battery, you can store the electricity and use it later in the day – thereby significantly increasing self-consumption.

Why is self-consumption important?

The electricity you use yourself is significantly more valuable than what you sell. Typically: Self-consumption = saved electricity price (DKK 2.00–3.00/kWh) Sale = lower electricity price (DKK 0.60–1.30/kWh) Therefore, it makes very good sense to increase your self-consumption – either by changing consumption habits, using smart control, or adding a battery.

How to increase your self-consumption

Use timed appliances (washing machine, dryer) in the middle of the day Install electric car control so the car charges when the sun is shining Use an intelligent inverter or battery system, as EcoRay recommends in the report Battery storage is the most effective solution if you want to increase self-consumption from 30–40% to up to 70–80%

EcoRay’s approach

When you use our calculator, we automatically calculate your expected self-consumption based on: Your consumption pattern Your roof and solar radiation Whether you have or want a battery We show you in black and white how your self-consumption affects the payback period, and how much you can potentially save – or earn – on surplus electricity.

Do you have questions about how to increase your self-consumption with your current setup? Or do you want to know if a battery makes sense for you? We help you all the way – independently and data-driven.