Estudio e implementación de un sistema de micro generación solar fotovoltaico para autoconsumo (caso de estudio considerando la regulación Nro. ARCONEL- 003/18)

Abstract

Ecuador has a privileged geographical position for solar generation due to the fact that solar rays affect its surface perpendicularly, which favors the average kWh/m2/day for electricity generation. The Ecuadorian State encourages the use of non-conventional renewable energy sources for electricity generation, issuing Regulation No. ARCONEL 003/18 at the end of 2018 and establishes the requirements for a user to install a photovoltaic solar micro-generation system connected to the low-voltage grid for self-consumption under the Net Metering model. The present work focuses on the study of the implementation of a solar photovoltaic microgeneration system in the home of an upper-middle class family in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Two solar panels and a micro-inverter with a power of 550Wp were installed in this house. The monitoring and data recording work was done during a month, between August and September 2019. The analyzed house presents an average monthly consumption of 403.17 kWh, and the photovoltaic system allowed a generation of 57.91 kWh, which represents 14.36% of the total consumption of the house. Although Regulation ARCONEL 003/18 is presented as an alternative to encourage the installation of photovoltaic solar microsystems for self-consumption, the present study suggests that it would not be a fully effective policy for the current Ecuadorian context and recommends its revision and some alternatives to be taken into account.