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Self-Consumption Surpluses: Sell the solar energy you do not use
The idea behind self-consumption is simple: you generate your own energy and then use it. But what happens when you generate more energy than you need? You can save even more, thanks to the surplus.
More and more people are deciding to take up self-consumption and install solar panels to generate their own energy.
The idea is simple: you generate your own energy and then use it.
But what happens when you generate more energy than you need?
Save on your bill by taking advantage of surplus solar energy
One of the questions people taking up self-consumption most frequently ask is: How can I sell my surplus solar energy to help me save on my electricity bill?
There are two significant options for your surplus energy:
- Remuneration for self-consumption surpluses: Quick and easy. You save because the surpluses are credited on your bill. All you need to do is comply with the established conditions and contract a solar energy tariff.
- Sell your self-consumption solar energy surpluses: We are no longer talking about saving but rather about selling energy to the electricity market. To do this, you need to register as an energy producer, a complex procedure of little interest for most domestic self-consumers.
Simplified remuneration for surplus energy
This is the option we recommend, the most common choice for electricity self-consumption users to save money with the surplus energy from their solar panel installation.
How does remuneration for surplus energy work?
- The energy produced that is not consumed is fed into the grid and is called "surplus".
- For each invoicing cycle you will receive compensation for these surpluses in your bill in the form of a discount, which will result in savings. How much these savings amount to will depend on the kWh fed into the grid, and the compensation price applied.
- In the calculation of the surplus compensation, there is a regulated limit called the "compensation limit", which means that you cannot be financially compensated with a value higher than the kWh you have consumed from the grid. This limit does not always appear on the bill, it only applies when the amount of energy fed into the grid exceeds the amount of energy consumed from the grid.
Here, we will explain the different sections in your invoice to help you fully understand your electricity bill.
Solar Plus tariff with Virtual Battery: a new option for remuneration
The Solar Plus tariff with Virtual Battery is Endesa's option that enables you to compensate the surpluses you generate in your bill at a price of €0.06.
Now the virtual battery enables you not to lose the amount that exceeds the limit for compensation. This uncompensated amount will be accumulated in the form of a balance in the virtual battery and will be applied as a means of payment in the total to be paid on the following bills.
If you do not accumulate any surplus during the month there is no problem. This means that you have made good use of the energy generated by your panels and the little you have been able to inject into the network has been compensated at a very competitive price. The accumulated amount will depend on the consumption made, the production from the solar panel and the balance between surpluses and energy consumed from the grid. If there is any outstanding debt, the amount from the virtual battery would be used to offset this debt.
How to take advantage of remuneration for surpluses
If you are interested in surplus compensation, the process to join is quick and simple, in just four steps:
- Contract the installation of photovoltaic solar panels.
- Legally register the installation with the appropriate regional authority: This is where you inform the regional authorities that you would like to benefit from simplified remuneration for surpluses.
- The Regional Authority will send the details of your photovoltaic installation to the electricity distributor in the area, and they will then inform your electricity retailer. If you have any doubts, the following content shows the differences between a distributor and a retailer.
- Once the installation has been registered, we will contact you through our customer service channels to verify that the registered data is correct: type of Self-Consumption, CAU (Self-consumption code used to register the self-consumption installation with remuneration for surpluses) and the installed power. You will only need to validate them in order to activate a Self-consumption solar tariff contract.
How to view energy surpluses on your bill
Throughout the month, your photovoltaic installation may actually produce more energy than you use. What happens in that situation is that the surplus energy is transferred to the distribution network. You get financial compensation for these surpluses.
Here is an example of how surplus compensation appears on your bill:
- IIf you have any questions about the different sections in your bill, check out this content where we will help you understand your electricity bill.
Current regulations also explain why the price at which you sell your surplus energy is lower than the price at which you pay for the energy you consume from the grid. The access tariff for the electricity grid and the cost of producing electricity are the reason for this price difference.
Install solar panels and take advantage of tax benefits
Currently, virtually all city councils offer discounts on municipal taxes for the installation of solar panels.
Sometimes this discount may include a 50% reduction on property tax (IBI) for 10 years.
Frequently asked questions about remuneration for self-consumption surpluses
The amount of these savings depends on the kWh fed into the grid, and the compensation price agreed in your tariff. In the calculation of remuneration for surpluses, there is a regulated "limit for compensation", which means that you cannot be financially compensated with an amount that exceeds the kWh you have consumed from the grid.
The remuneration will be included in each invoicing cycle.
The remuneration will appear in the form of a discount, which will mean savings on your electricity bill.
You will find the amount in your electricity bill under "Other items".
This will depend on the option you choose:
- Simplified remuneration for surpluses: this only requires meeting the established conditions and contracting a solar energy tariff.
- Without remuneration for surpluses: if you prefer to sell your energy directly to the electricity market, you must first register as a producer. This is a complex procedure that is not suited to most consumers of domestic self-consumption.