Individual and collective self-consumption
Individual and collective self-consumption represents an emerging and promising solution to meet the energy and environmental challenges we are facing today. As traditional energy resources are depleting and concerns about climate change intensify, more and more people are turning to sustainable and decentralized alternatives. In this article, we will explore the concepts of individual and collective self-consumption and their potential benefits, then we will see how Athénergie can assist in the transition to a greener energy future.
Watch our Webinar on the subject: What is the role of a legal entity organizer (PMO) in a collective self-consumption project?
What is individual self-consumption?
Individual self-consumption is the principle by which an individual or professional produces their own energy and consumes it directly, thereby limiting their dependence on the traditional electrical network. The goal of this maneuver is to reduce electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
Individual self-consumption is very interesting; first of all, it allows everyone to become partially or even completely energy autonomous. This autonomy comes with a reduction in dependence on electrical networks. Additionally, it contributes to the decrease of the carbon footprint, as solar energy is a clean and renewable source. Finally, individual self-consumption generates long-term savings because the initial investment in solar installations is offset by energy savings.
What is collective self-consumption?
Collective self-consumption is derived from the law of February 2017 on self-consumption, accompanied by several implementing decrees, and is today described by articles 315-2 and subsequent of the Energy Code.
Collective self-consumption expands the concept of individual self-consumption by allowing multiple consumers to share their productions and therefore benefit from a common renewable energy production installation. The production installations can belong to one or several actors involved in the created operation. The energy produced is then distributed among the participants according to their individual needs; this mission can be carried out by an Organizing Legal Entity, a legal vehicle for governance to pool the energy produced locally (see PMO article).
This cooperative model offers significant advantages. Firstly, it maximizes the use of resources by promoting a better distribution of the produced energy. For example, an organization with excess production can share its surplus with another organization that needs more energy. Furthermore, collective self-consumption encourages the creation of energy communities, strengthening social ties and fostering cooperation among participants. Finally, this model is financially attractive. From the buyer's perspective, energy costs can be lower than those of the official supplier, and from the producer's perspective, resale costs are often higher than those offered by electricity suppliers.
Self-consumption becomes a true long-term investment and a source of income for your built and non-built assets (parking and canopy).
How can Athénergie help establish individual and collective self-consumption?
Athénergie is a decision support platform for photovoltaic installation projects and allows calculating the solar potential of private and/or public assets (buildings, parking lots, public spaces). The simulation of this solar potential can be done through partial or total resale, individual or collective self-consumption, with or without PMO. This tool allows synthesizing a self-consumption project setup so that you can choose the most relevant scenario for you. You will be able to estimate your potential economic gains and the return on investment of your installations. Based on 25 indicators (7 technical indicators, 14 economic indicators, and 4 ecological indicators), the application allows visualizing the improvement of your carbon balance, technical balance, and financial balance.
Why should we invest in self-consumption?
Individual self-consumption and collective self-consumption represent a promising opportunity for individuals, communities, and businesses to take control of their energy supply. By encouraging the use of small-scale renewable energy sources, these models contribute to energy independence, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of closer social ties within communities. By investing in these solutions, we can gradually build a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
