Do energy consumption habits vary with solar panels?

It is one of the most common questions among families who want to take the step towards self-consumption, since there is a certain fear of changing the energy consumption habits to which they are used to.

However, in the last year, due to the energy crisis and price changes, we have had to Adapt to the times where the price was cheaper, having to alter, on many occasions, our consumption habits. In this article, we explain what possible changes can affect your energy consumption habits.

How do I adapt my energy consumption habits to solar panels?

Consumption habits will vary depending on the orientation of your solar panels. Why? Well, the energy produced by photovoltaic panels must be consumed at the time of their generation, so that it is not discharged to the electrical grid, so your maximum energy consumption should match the maximum production peak of your installation. This fact varies if you have solar batteries.

South-facing facility

A south-facing facility has round-the-clock production. Without a doubt, this is the best orientation for solar panels, but this will depend on the position of the house and the roof.

In this case, energy production will take place throughout the day, from when the sun rises until it leaves. However, its peak is concentrated from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the perfect time to put high-consumption appliances or electrical systems into operation.

East-facing installation

With the solar panels facing east, their production is reduced in the morning hours. This installation is perfect for morning consumption, since the maximum peak is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., so you'll have to adapt to using the elements with the highest consumption.

West-facing facility

On the other side, we have the facilities facing west, which produce energy in the afternoon. They begin to receive sufficient radiation at noon, until sunset. Its peak is from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and it's perfect for families who are most active in the afternoon.

Installation with different sides (east - west)

There are also installations with different sides: roofs that allow solar panels to be placed in both orientations, east and west. In this situation, the installation produces energy both in the morning and in the afternoon.

But be careful! They should not be compared with those facing south. Why? Imagine that you have this type of installation, 10 plates on the east side and 10 plates on the west. Well, you'll be producing energy all day long, but it won't be a production of 20 plates, but 10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. Unlike the south-facing one, which will produce 20 plates around the clock.

Other factors that influence your energy consumption habits

Apart from orientation, we found two factors that also influence production and, indirectly, energy consumption habits.

• Number of solar panels: even if the orientation is ideal for your habits, you have to take into account the number of solar panels and the kW they generate. If your consumption is higher than the production of your panels, you will start to consume energy from the conventional grid, so your bill will increase.
• Time of the year: solar radiation varies depending on the time of year, and this directly affects energy production. Unlike what most people think, the best time of year is spring, as solar radiation is high and the temperature is controlled. In summer, on the other hand, even though the radiation is very high, so are the temperatures, so there is a loss caused by the high temperature reached by the solar panels.

If you have any questions or would like to know what type of orientation and installation would be feasible in your home, get in touch with our experts. We will advise you so that photovoltaic panels adapt to the needs of your family and home.