{"id":24267,"date":"2024-11-25T09:00:37","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T08:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my-life.lu\/?p=24267"},"modified":"2024-09-11T12:30:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T10:30:51","slug":"make-the-move-into-energy-self-generation-51097","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/my-life.lu\/en\/make-the-move-into-energy-self-generation-51097\/","title":{"rendered":"Make the move into energy self-generation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to reduce your energy costs and help fight climate change? Have you considered generating your own electricity?<\/p>\n

Energy self-generation means the consumption of energy we ourselves generate from renewable sources such as the sun or the wind. The solutions available to generate our own electricity include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels or, less frequently, domestic wind turbines.<\/p>\n

Electricity self-generation has become increasingly popular in Luxembourg in recent years. According to the Luxembourg Regulation Institute<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (Institut Luxembourgeois de R\u00e9gulation, ILR), 76% of households equipped with new photovoltaic panels have opted for electricity self-generation, compared with only 14.7% in 2021.<\/p>\n

How do photovoltaic panels generate electricity?<\/h2>\n

A photovoltaic solar panel is a device made up of photovoltaic cells that capture energy from the sun\u2019s rays and transform it into direct electrical current. This direct current is then converted into alternating current by a power inverter so that it can be used to power the electrical appliances in your home. The amount of energy produced depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the photovoltaic system, the orientation and inclination of the panels, light levels, and so on.<\/p>\n

Electricity can only be generated when the photovoltaic panels are exposed to sunlight. This means that the period of electricity generation does not always match that of electricity consumption. As a result, surplus energy is generally fed back into the grid. However, we can install solar batteries to store this surplus for use at night, for example.<\/p>\n

Useful info<\/strong>: There are two types of solar panel: solar photovoltaic panels, which produce electricity, and solar thermal panels, which produce heat (e.g. to power a water heater).<\/p>\n

Why choose self-generation?<\/h2>\n

Electricity self-generation has many benefits. First of all, by using a clean and virtually inexhaustible energy source, you\u2019re helping to protect the environment and reducing your reliance on fossil fuels1<\/sup>.\u00a0By using solar energy, you can reduce your dependence on the conventional distribution grid and therefore cut your electricity bill. You can even boost your income by selling the surplus electricity you produce. Lastly, you can still receive financial aid for installing a photovoltaic system and, depending on the size of the array, tax breaks as well (see below).<\/p>\n

Photovoltaic systems do not produce energy twenty-four hours a day, and yields vary according to the time of day and weather conditions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, there are a number of things you should bear in mind. The average lifespan of a solar panel is around thirty years, with regular maintenance necessary to ensure the system is working properly. What\u2019s more, depending on your system and your energy consumption, the electricity you produce may not cover all your needs. Photovoltaic systems do not produce energy twenty-four hours a day, and yields vary according to the time of day and weather conditions. To meet your needs, you\u2019ll need a complementary source of energy such as a connection to the conventional grid or storage batteries, for example.<\/p>\n

Lastly, while solar electricity doesn\u2019t produce carbon dioxide, the manufacture and transport of photovoltaic panels does have an environmental impact. However, this is offset by the energy produced during the life cycle of the panels, whose components are between 95% and 99% recyclable.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

How do I switch to self-generation?<\/h2>\n

To go down the self-generation route and install photovoltaic panels on your roof, the first step is to find out whether the project is feasible. Can your roof support the system? Is it facing in the right direction? How much sun does it get? How steep is it? And so on.<\/p>\n

Useful info<\/strong>: You can find out how much sun your location potentially receives by checking out the solar map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and getting free advice from a Klima-Agence advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balcony photovoltaic power system<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have space for a large photovoltaic system, you can still opt for a balcony, or \u201cPlug and Play\u201d, system<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. These small photovoltaic power systems are generally made up of two modules and a power inverter. Their output is limited to 799 W and they can be plugged into a standard power socket. The electricity produced is then fed into the domestic electricity grid and can be consumed directly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If this project seems feasible, get in touch with an electrician. They\u2019ll tell you about your grid\u2019s available capacity, the ideal size for your system depending on your energy consumption, and the cost of the project. Remember to get quotes from several professionals and be careful when choosing your tradesman<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check with your municipality whether you need specific authorisation to install solar panels.<\/p>\n

You can choose whether to sell all the electricity you produce, feeding it back into the grid, or to use it for your own consumption, selling the surplus.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Once you\u2019ve made these checks, contact your grid operator so that they can authorise your system. You can choose whether to sell all the electricity you produce, feeding it back into the grid, or to use it for your own consumption, selling the surplus. You can also choose the tariff model for the remuneration you receive for surplus energy. You can choose between:<\/p>\n