Explanation of Used Terms


Term

Explanation

Self-sufficiency quota

Current ratio of internal power supply to total consumption

The loads can cover their energy demand from the PV system, from the utility grid, and from any available batteries.

Battery discharging

Power that is currently being drawn from the battery.

Battery discharging takes place when the energy demand of the loads exceeds the current power of the PV system.

Battery charging

Power that is being currently charged from your system into the battery

Battery cycle

In a battery cycle, the battery is discharged once from 100% of the nominal capacity to a depth of discharge specified by the manufacturer and than recharged up to 100% of the nominal capacity.

Direct consumption

Power that the loads draw directly from the PV system

Flexible loads are switched on at the time when their energy demand is completely covered by the PV system.

Self-consumption

Generated PV power is consumed at the site where it is generated. Self-consumption is made up of direct consumption and battery charging.

Self-consumption quota

Current ratio of self-consumption to PV power

Internal power supply

Supply of loads with PV energy generated on site

Internal power supply is made up of direct consumption and battery discharging.

Intermediate storage

Battery charging and discharging as a measure of energy management

The intermediate storage enables the consumption of PV energy independent of the time of generation, e.g. in the evening or during bad weather. This means that time-controlled electrical appliances can also be operated with PV energy.

Energy management

The total of all measures for optimizing the consumption of the energy made available by a PV system.

The objective of energy management is either the highest possible self-sufficiency quota or the highest possible self-consumption quota.

Energy Management System

System for optimizing energy flows automatically and intelligently, for increasing self-consumption or improving internal power supply

Battery-backup function

Capacity of an energy management system to also function as a battery-backup system (in the context of these planning guidelines)

Grid supply

Electric power that is currently being drawn from the utility grid

Purchased electricity meter

Energy meter for recording purchased electricity

Grid feed-in

Electric power that is currently being fed into the utility grid

Feed-in meter

Energy meter for recording the grid feed-in

PV Generation

Electric power that is currently being provided by the PV system

PV production meter

Energy meter for recording the PV generation

Cycle stability

Characteristic for the service life of a battery

The cycle stability indicates how many times a battery can be discharged and charged before the available battery capacity falls below a specific value (see the battery manufacturer's specifications).