In an era in which energy costs continue to rise and the environment asks us for help, investing in a photovoltaic system represents a concrete answer. A solution that not only reduces the bill, but allows you to significantly reduce the environmental impact of your home. But how much do you save with photovoltaic? Let’s find out together.
The installation of a photovoltaic system represents a strategic choice to reduce energy costs and promote environmental sustainability. The savings achievable depend on various factors, including the size of the system, the energy consumption of the home and the percentage of self-consumption of the energy produced.
Photovoltaic and self-consumption: the heart of savings
To understand the potential savings of a photovoltaic system, it is essential to talk about self-consumption. This apparently technical term translates into a very simple principle: the more self-produced energy you can use directly, the less you will have to purchase from the electricity grid.
The photovoltaic systems without batteries allow an average self-consumption of 30%. This means that a considerable part of the energy produced during daylight hours is used immediately to power home appliances, reducing the purchase of energy from the grid. However, add a storage system – so-called batteries – can make a big difference. With batteries, the self-consumption rate can rise to 70-80%allowing solar energy to be exploited even in the evening hours or during peak consumption.
A study conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratorypublished on Nature Communicationsanalyzed data from 500,000 families. The results speak clearly: the adoption of photovoltaics, even without batteries, brings significant savings. This shows that even those who do not want to make the additional investment for storage can still benefit from a tangible reduction in energy costs.
READ also: Photovoltaic on the roof: how much does it save? The study conducted on 500,000 families
Size of the system and payback times: evaluate the savings in photovoltaic
When deciding to invest in photovoltaic, one of the most common questions is: how much does it cost? A 3 kW photovoltaic systema typical size for a family of four, has a cost of around 4,500 and 7,500 euros. If you choose to integrate a storage system, the overall investment can reach around 10,000 euros.
But the real crucial point is not the initial cost, but the time needed to recover this sum thanks to the savings generated. With a self-consumption rate of 30%you can save between 660 and 810 euros per year. This leads to a payback period that goes from 5 to 11 yearsdepending on the system configuration and consumption habits.
If you opt for a system with batteries and are able to achieve self-consumption of 50%the annual savings can rise to 900-1,050 eurosreducing payback times a 9-11 years. An investment that, all things considered, pays for itself over time and continues to generate savings for decades.
Incentives and tax deductions: reduce the initial costs of photovoltaic
The initial cost of a photovoltaic system can be further reduced thanks to state incentives and at tax deductions. In Italy, anyone who decides to install a system can benefit from the renovation bonuswhich allows you to deduct 50% of the expense supported. This means that, over the course of ten years, half of the cost of the system goes back into the owner’s pocket in the form of a tax reduction.
For first homes, this relief will remain valid in the years to come, but it is important to underline that for other properties the rates will be reduced. Starting from 2025, the deduction will drop to 36% for second homes, with a maximum spending limit set at 48,000 euros per real estate unit.
Reduce bills: how much can you really save with photovoltaic?
Let’s take a practical example. An average Italian family, with an annual consumption of 3,000-3,500 kWhit could reduce your bill by up to 70% installing a photovoltaic system with batteries. Assuming an average electricity cost of 0.30 euros per kWhthe annual savings can exceed 1,000 eurosdepending on the level of self-consumption.
This means that, in less than ten years, the system pays for itself, and the next two decades of the system’s useful life represent pure savings. But the economic advantage is not the only reason to choose photovoltaic.
Photovoltaic: sustainability and savings
Every kilowatt hour produced by a photovoltaic system avoids the emission into the atmosphere of approximately 400 grams of CO₂. In one year, a household can avoid further emissions into the environment 1,200 kilograms of CO₂equivalent to the amount absorbed by 60 trees.
This fact, combined with energy savings, makes photovoltaic an ethical choice, as well as an economic one. The transition to renewable sources is no longer a remote possibility, but a concrete necessity to guarantee a sustainable future.
Photovoltaic: a choice for everyone?
Despite the numerous advantages, the installation of a photovoltaic system requires careful evaluation. The positioning of the panels plays a fundamental role: optimal exposure towards the south, without shading, guarantees maximum energy yield. The orientation and inclination of the roof must also be considered, as well as the possibility of installing batteries to increase energy autonomy.
Furthermore, those who live in condominiums may encounter some logistical difficulties, especially in terms of shared spaces and condominium agreements. However, new regulations and emerging technologies are making photovoltaics increasingly accessible even in these contexts.
