How to increase solar self-consumption
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Increase self-consumption by moving existing demand into the hours when panels generate. Start with measurement and appropriate appliance timing, water heating or vehicle charging before comparing the extra benefit of a battery.
Measure the right percentages
Self-consumption concerns the share of solar generation used locally. Self-sufficiency concerns the share of household demand supplied by solar and storage. They have different denominators and neither, alone, establishes a good financial return.
Use properly measured imports, exports, generation and battery flows. Without household metering, an inverter's generation graph cannot tell you the entire home's demand.
Use energy where it has value
Schedule suitable appliances safely and respect the equipment's controls. A surplus controller can coordinate a compatible hot-water heater or wallbox. Do not turn on unnecessary loads merely to prevent export: wasting energy does not create savings.
Compare avoided imports with the net export value and the cost of additional controls or storage. A battery should be judged on its extra benefit after losses, rather than on the appeal of a higher percentage.