Residential
Prioritises daytime demand, available roof, appearance, contracted power and future loads. A battery is studied only when the profile supports it.
SELF-CONSUMPTION FOR INSTALLERS AND ENGINEERS
Solar self-consumption that starts with the load curve
From roof to switchboard: we design the architecture around actual demand, the grid, the roof and operating objectives.
More than 20 yearsconnecting product, project and technical support
Exact referencesdocumented selection by model and application
Professional supplyfor installers, engineering firms and EPC companies
THREE PROFILES, THREE APPROACHES
The same power does not solve every project
The architecture changes with the demand schedule, grid connection, available space and continuity required by the activity.
Commercial and C&I
Targets base-load matching, export control, reliable metering and room for growth without oversizing the system.
Industrial
Adds DC distribution, selectivity, switchboards, transformation, communications and an operating strategy coordinated with the plant.
SIZE BEFORE SELECTING
Roof area alone is not enough
The PV field is one part of the system. The technical decision comes from demand, resource, grid and operation together.
Annual kWh do not tell the whole storyTwo systems with the same production can perform differently if one generates when there is no demand. Time matching and the control strategy are part of sizing.
Load curve
Hourly or quarter-hourly demand, seasonality, weekends and base load.
Roof and resource
Usable area, orientation, shading, structure, access, wind and environmental conditions.
Grid connection
Phases, voltage, available power, transformer, metering and utility requirements.
Surplus energy
Compensation, sale, zero export or dynamic limitation according to the project and applicable rules.
Electrical architecture
Strings, MPPT ranges, voltages, protection, selectivity, voltage drop and communications.
Future operation
Extensions, EV charging, storage, backup and supervision without blocking future evolution.
REFERENCE ARCHITECTURE
Six layers that must work together
Final selection depends on the single-line diagram, regulations, the grid and current data sheets. This is a conceptual scheme, not an installation instruction.
ModulesPower, current, voltage and thermal behaviour by exact reference.
Strings and DCConfiguration, isolation and protection according to design.
ConversionMPPT, DC/AC ratio, grid, control and communications.
AC and meteringProtection, meter, sensor and connection point.
Demand and gridLocal priority, exports and operating limits.
StorageOptional AC- or DC-coupled layer when technically justified.
TECHNOLOGY SELECTION
Application first; brand and model second
We work with verifiable product families, but the exact reference is selected for electrical, mechanical and communications compatibility.
PV modules
Cell technology, dimensions, loads, current, thermal coefficient and compatibility with structure and inverter.
Explore modules →Inverters
MPPT ranges, inputs, grid voltage, power control, monitoring and grid code.
Explore inverters →Metering and monitoring
Sensors, meter, portal, communications and the export or demand-control strategy.
Explore monitoring →Optional storage
Energy, power, cycles, AC or DC architecture, backup and integration are validated as a system.
View storage solutions →TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL
Six inputs that prevent blind sizing
The better the starting information, the fewer assumptions enter the design and the more useful the proposal becomes.
Load curves or twelve months of bills
Location, drawings, orientation and roof photographs
Grid type, voltage, phases and contracted power
Existing single-line diagram and proposed connection point
Objective: savings, zero export, resilience or expansion
Expected new loads: process, HVAC or EV charging
WORKING METHOD
From data to a verifiable system
Profile
We organise demand, schedules, limitations and objectives.
Architecture
We define PV field, conversion, metering, control and options.
Verification
We check references, electrical ranges, documentation and availability.
Proposal
We prepare a traceable technical solution for professional review.
EVIDENCE-BASED DECISIONS
Three shortcuts that often cost more
“More panels are always better”
Not always. Without matching, control or an export strategy, more power may not achieve the objective.
“The battery comes first”
Not necessarily. Demand, generation and flexibility come first; storage energy and power are then assessed.
“Payback is fixed”
No. It depends on demand, production, tariffs, investment, operation, degradation and regulatory conditions.
NEXT STEP
Move from the guide to project resources
Do you have demand, roof and connection-point data?
Those three blocks let us start structuring the project and identify missing information before equipment is selected.
Frequently asked questions about solar self-consumption
Technical answers for installers, engineers and project managers.
How is a self-consumption system sized?
The load curve, solar resource, usable area, grid, exports and project objectives are assessed together. Optimum power cannot be derived from annual kWh or roof size alone.
Are batteries mandatory?
No. Storage is assessed when shifting energy, limiting power, increasing continuity or managing surplus adds technical and economic value to the specific case.
What must be checked before selecting modules and an inverter?
Voltage, current, MPPT ranges, string configuration, thermal coefficients, protection, grid, communications and mechanical and regulatory compatibility.
Can Plug & Play Energy help select the system?
Yes. PnP advises and supplies professionals. The proposal is based on real project data and current documentation for each reference.
Editorial and technical review: Plug & Play Energy team. Final selection is validated against the single-line diagram, demand data, regulations and current documentation.