Distributed photovoltaic (PV) power stations refer to small-scale power generation systems located near users, typically connected to a power grid with a voltage level of 10 kV or lower. The small-scale residential rooftop PV power stations we commonly see are examples of distributed PV power stations.
Currently, power grid companies allow photovoltaic power station owners to adopt three grid connection and settlement methods for distributed photovoltaic power station applications: self-consumption, self-consumption with surplus power fed into the grid, and full grid connection.
I. Spontaneous Use
Self-consumption refers to the use of electricity generated by a distributed photovoltaic (PV) power station by the power generation company itself. This model is suitable for manufacturing enterprises that require long-term and continuous electricity supply, with large electricity demand on the consumer side, and can fully or largely absorb the electricity generated by the PV power station. To prevent backflow of electricity, anti-reverse current devices are required for alarms, and the inverter adjusts its capacity based on the received signals.
The advantage of the self-consumption grid-connected mode is its relative independence, which offers significant economic benefits for enterprises with high electricity demand. This grid-connected mode can also be chosen for regions where power transmission is limited or does not support grid connection for photovoltaic power generation.
II. Self-consumption of electricity, with surplus electricity fed into the grid.
Self-consumption with surplus power sold to the grid means that enterprises only use a portion of the electricity generated by distributed photovoltaic power stations, selling the remaining electricity to the power grid company. This model is suitable for enterprises with relatively small electricity demands in their production processes. For these enterprises, self-consumption with surplus power sold to the grid is the ideal grid connection model, as they can enjoy clean and low-cost green electricity while also generating revenue by selling the surplus to the power grid company—a win-win situation.
III. Full Internet Access
Full grid connection means that the electricity generated by the distributed photovoltaic power station is directly fed into the grid company, and enterprises obtain their electricity from the grid. This grid connection mode has been the most mainstream and simplest in the past decade. After all, the subsidies in various regions were relatively large in the past. For enterprises, in addition to enjoying the original electricity price, the additional electricity price revenue of the power station was also very considerable.
When applying the grid connection mode of distributed photovoltaic power stations, enterprises need to analyze specific issues on a case-by-case basis and choose the most suitable method based on factors such as the installed capacity of the photovoltaic power station, power generation, the enterprise's own electricity consumption, electricity cycle, local policies, local electricity prices, etc.
