Definition

What Is Self-Consumption?

What is self-consumption? Self-consumption is the immediate use within the same connection of electricity generated by a GES or another unlicensed generation source. Energy consumed without being fed to the grid carries the highest unit value because supply and distribution charges are not paid. Under hourly netting, the self-consumption ratio depends on production–consumption profile alignment.

Why it matters

In GES investment, the self-consumption ratio is a more critical economic parameter than installed capacity. A midday production–night consumption profile reduces self-consumption under hourly netting; BESS (battery) and load-shifting strategies are evaluated to address this mismatch. Increasing self-consumption directly lowers the net consumption invoice. In a multi-site portfolio, facility-level self-consumption ratio ranking shows which GES is closest to target. Combined inverter monitoring and OSOS analysis is the basis for self-consumption calculation.

Impact on the bill

For self-consumed kWh, net consumption on the supply invoice decreases; the amount of energy billed after netting is reduced. The portion outside self-consumption is billed as grid purchase under PTF+YEKDEM, SKTT, or national tariff. Surplus production (excess energy) is subject to separate sales and limit rules — it must not be confused with self-consumption. Under the hourly system, even if total monthly production and consumption are equal, profile mismatch can increase the net invoice.

How ENOPTIMAL tracks it

The ENOPTIMAL production management module combines inverter production data with OSOS consumption profiles to report self-consumption ratio and hourly netting scenarios. Brand-based integrations are supported on GES production monitoring and inverter monitoring pages. Our Hourly Netting 2026 guide provides reference for profile alignment and BESS strategy.

Related resources

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about electricity invoices and consumption management.

How is the self-consumption ratio calculated?

Simple formula: Self-consumption ratio = (self-consumed kWh / total production kWh) × 100. Under hourly netting, each hour's production–consumption match is evaluated separately.

Is self-consumption different from netting?

Self-consumption is the physical use concept; netting is the official offsetting step for that match. Under the hourly system, both are evaluated together depending on profile alignment.

What can be done to increase self-consumption?

Load shifting (shifts to production hours), BESS storage, and consumption profile optimisation are evaluated. First, the hourly production–consumption profile should be analysed using OSOS and inverter data.

Track this term with your data

Request a demo to explore the related modules.