Solar Self-Consumption
The practice of storing excess daytime solar generation in an onsite battery and consuming it locally during peak evening hours rather than exporting it to the utility grid.
Solar self-consumption is the proportion of electricity produced by an onsite photovoltaic system that is used directly within the home rather than exported to the electrical utility grid.
Under modern utility tariffs like California's NEM 3.0, utility export credits are significantly lower than the cost of purchasing retail grid power. Storing solar power in an onsite battery allows homeowners to avoid purchasing expensive peak power later in the day.
Why it matters
Maximizing self-consumption protects homeowners from utility rate hikes and recovers financial value in states with weakened net metering compensation.
Example
Charging a 13.5 kWh battery from midday rooftop solar and discharging it between 5 PM and 9 PM prevents purchasing peak grid electricity at 58¢/kWh.