Self-consumption, how will the integration of PV into the distribution network impact ?

One of the advantages of renewable energies, solar photovoltaic in particular, is the decentralization of electricity production. Individuals can now produce their energy by connecting their power plants to the self-consumption distribution network.

Self-consumption is the possibility for an actor (private, industrial, commercial) to produce electricity, to consume it (up to its needs) and to inject any excess production into the electricity network.

Self-consumption mechanically reduces the consumer’s bill as well as technical losses on the electricity network. In addition, by encouraging consumers to maximize their own consumption, the total energy passing through the network will be reduced without reducing the maximum power demand. As a result, this massive integration degrades the economic balance of the distribution network operator who must maintain, or even develop, his network while receiving less revenue. This is what has led several countries to charge network fees on self-consumption.