Charged amount determination system, charged amount determination apparatus, charged amount determination method, and charge frequency determination method

Abstract

To provide suitable fundamental data based on actual values upon determining a charged amount for charging costs related to the introduction of a solar power generation apparatus and power-usage appliances as usage fees over plural times.SOLUTION: A charged amount determination system comprises: an actual data acquisition unit for acquiring time-series surplus power energy, time-series power purchased quantity and time-series power consumption by a solar power generation apparatus each installed at a plurality of customers as actual data through communication; an actual data provision unit for providing the acquired actual data for introducing the solar power generation apparatus and prescribed models of power-usage appliances into each consumer using the power-usage appliances, and determining the charged amount of usage fees upon charging costs related to the introduction of the solar power generation apparatus and the prescribed models as usage fees per period; and a charged amount determination unit for determining the charged amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a billing amount determination system, a billing amount determination device, a billing amount determination method, and a billing frequency determination method that use performance data used to determine the billing amount when installment billing is used to charge usage fees for the introduction of solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] A service that effectively utilizes electricity generated by a solar power generation system to operate home appliances and reduce electricity bills is known. This service responds to the trend toward reducing electricity bills by efficiently utilizing electricity generated by a solar power generation system at home (for self-consumption) due to the recent rise in electricity prices and the fall in the selling price of electricity (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Furthermore, with regard to a leasing service for installing solar power generation systems at electricity consumers such as private homes, a method is known in which the system operator pays the contract holder a fixed amount (guaranteed amount according to the expected amount of power generation) that is the lease fee for installing the solar power generation system plus a power generation dividend for a fixed period of time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, there is known a service in which ownership of a photovoltaic power generation system is transferred to a customer at the end of the lease period (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-093430 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-091338 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Industry-first launch of ‘Solar Home Appliance Linkage’ service that links solar power generation with home appliances to reduce home appliance electricity bills,” [online], October 24, 2023, Sharp Corporation news release [Retrieved February 10, 2024], Internet (URL: https: / / corporate.jp.sharp / news / 231024-a.html) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment with improved energy-saving performance could be introduced and the installation costs could be covered by installment billing over the period in which the equipment or devices are used, with the installment bill corresponding to the reduction in electricity charges due to self-generation and the reduction in electricity charges due to the improved energy-saving performance, this could be an attractive service for both businesses and users. For businesses that provide solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment, this would promote their sales and widespread use. For users, these devices and equipment could be introduced without any initial costs. Furthermore, for power system operators, this would reduce electricity demand, thereby easing the environmental burden.

[0006] However, if it is not possible to predict with sufficient accuracy the period during which these devices and equipment will be in operation and the amount of savings in electricity bills that will result during that period, it will be difficult to make convincing proposals to customers, and there is a greater risk that either the customer or the business will suffer losses. This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and relates to a method for determining the amount to be charged and the number of charges to be made using appropriate basic data based on actual values ​​when determining the amount to be charged as a usage fee over multiple periods for the costs of introducing solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a billing amount determination system including: an actual data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, actual data such as time-series surplus electricity amounts, time-series purchased electricity amounts, and time-series electricity consumption amounts from solar power generation devices installed at multiple consumers; an actual data provision unit that provides the acquired actual data in order to determine the amount of a usage fee to be charged when a solar power generation device and a predetermined model of electricity-using equipment are introduced to consumers who use electricity-using equipment, and the costs associated with introducing the solar power generation device and the predetermined model are charged as a usage fee for each predetermined period; and a billing amount determination unit that determines the amount to be charged.

[0008] From another viewpoint, the present invention is a method for using historical data to determine an installment bill amount when introducing a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consumption equipment to a consumer and billing the costs of introducing the photovoltaic power generation system and the predetermined model as a usage fee for each predetermined period, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring historical data from a historical data collection device having a historical data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, historical data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the photovoltaic power generation systems installed at a plurality of consumers; calculating, from the historical data, the time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the predetermined model that are adapted to the consumer involved in the introduction; calculating, from the historical data, the time-series existing power consumption amounts of the existing power consumption equipment; a step of calculating a difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the existing electricity consumption resulting from switching to a specified model using the electricity consumption, and calculating a first electricity consumption amount by including this difference in the existing electricity consumption; a step of calculating a difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the first electricity consumption resulting from self-consumption by the electricity-using equipment of the specified model using the surplus electricity and the purchased electricity amount, and calculating a second electricity purchase amount by including this difference; a step of calculating a second electricity charge corresponding to the second amount of purchased electricity over the specified period; a step of calculating a power generation equipment usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation equipment into a predetermined number of billings; a step of calculating an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the specified model into the number of billings; and a step of setting the divided billing amount as the second electricity charge plus the power generation equipment usage fee and the equipment usage fee.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for using historical data to determine the number of times to bill for a usage fee when a consumer is introduced to a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model, and the costs associated with the introduction of the photovoltaic power generation device and the predetermined model are billed as a usage fee for each predetermined period, the method including the steps of: acquiring historical data from a historical data collection device having a historical data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, historical data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; calculating, from the historical data, time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the predetermined model that are adapted to the consumer involved in the introduction; acquiring, from the historical data, time-series existing power consumption amounts of existing power consumption devices; using the power consumption amounts to determine a difference in the amount of purchased power from the existing power consumption amounts that occurs when the consumer is switched to the predetermined model, and determining a first power consumption amount that includes this difference in the existing power consumption amount; and calculating, using the surplus power amount and the purchased power amount, a first power consumption amount that includes the difference in the amount of purchased power from the predetermined model when the power consumption device of the predetermined model is switched to the predetermined model. calculating an existing electricity rate corresponding to the existing electricity consumption over the predetermined period and a second electricity rate corresponding to the second electricity rate over the predetermined period; calculating a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the solar power generation device into a predetermined number of billings; calculating an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the predetermined model into the number of billings; calculating an amount obtained by adding the power generation device usage fee and the equipment usage fee to the second electricity rate as an estimated installment bill amount; determining whether the estimated installment bill amount is higher than the existing electricity rate by a predetermined range, and if so, updating the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee and the estimated installment bill amount by applying a billing number one larger than the billing number, and repeatedly updating the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee and the estimated installment bill amount by applying a billing number one larger than the billing number until the updated estimated installment bill amount does not exceed the predetermined range for the existing electricity rate;and determining the number of billings for which the updated estimated installment bill amount does not exceed a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate.

[0010] The present invention also provides a performance data receiving unit that receives performance data from a device that acquires, via communication, performance data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; a performance data calculation unit that calculates, from the received performance data, time-series surplus power amounts, purchased power amounts, and power consumption amounts that are adapted to a consumer that will install a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model of power consumption device; an existing power consumption calculation unit that calculates, from the performance data, time-series existing power consumption amounts by the existing power consumption devices; a first power consumption calculation unit that uses the power consumption to determine a difference in the purchased power amount from the existing power consumption amount that occurs when switching to the predetermined model, and calculates a first power consumption amount that includes the difference in the existing power consumption amount; and a performance data calculation unit that calculates, from the surplus power amount and the purchased power amount, time-series existing power consumption amounts that will occur when switching to the predetermined model of power consumption device. a second electricity rate calculation unit that calculates a second electricity rate corresponding to the second electricity rate over a predetermined period; a power generation device usage fee calculation unit that calculates a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost of installing the solar power generation device among a predetermined number of billings; an equipment usage fee calculation unit that calculates an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of installing the specified model among the number of billings; and an installment bill amount determination unit that sets the amount of the second electricity rate plus the power generation device usage fee and the equipment usage fee as the installment bill amount for the fee when the cost of installing the solar power generation device and the specified model of electricity usage device are billed as usage fees for each predetermined period.

[0011] The present invention also provides a billing amount determination method comprising the steps of: acquiring, via communication, actual data on time-series surplus power, time-series purchased power, and time-series power consumption by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; providing the acquired actual data to consumers who use power-using equipment in order to determine the amount of a usage fee to be charged when introducing a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model of power-using equipment to the consumers who use the power-using equipment and charging the costs associated with introducing the photovoltaic power generation device and the predetermined model as a usage fee for a predetermined period; and determining the amount to be charged using the actual data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The billing amount determination system of this invention includes an actual data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, the time-series surplus electricity amount, the time-series purchased electricity amount, and the time-series electricity consumption amount from solar power generation devices installed at multiple consumers as actual data, and can therefore provide actual data that can be used to determine the billing amount when introducing solar power generation devices and electricity-using equipment and charging the costs associated with the introduction as multiple usage fees. The performance data collection method according to the present invention also provides the same effects.

[0013] In addition, the method for determining the installment billing amount according to the present invention includes the steps of collecting actual data, calculating from the actual data a time-series average surplus power amount, a time-series purchased power amount, and a time-series power consumption amount of a specified model that are adapted to the consumer involved in the installation, calculating from the actual data the existing time-series power consumption amount of the existing power-using equipment, using the actual data, determining the difference in the purchased power amount from the existing power consumption that arises when switching to the specified model, and determining a first power consumption amount that includes this difference in the existing power consumption, and using the surplus power amount and purchased power amount to determine the difference in the purchased power amount from the first power consumption that arises when the specified model of power-using equipment is self-consumed, and determining a second purchased power amount that includes this difference.Therefore, the amount to be billed when installing a solar power generation system and power-using equipment and charging the costs of installation as usage fees over multiple installments can be appropriately determined based on actual values. The installment billing amount determination device according to the present invention also achieves the same effects.

[0014] Furthermore, the method for determining the number of bills according to the present invention includes the steps of collecting historical data, calculating from the historical data a time-series amount of surplus electricity, a time-series amount of purchased electricity, and a time-series amount of electricity consumption that are adapted to the consumer involved in the installation, obtaining from the historical data the time-series amount of existing electricity consumption by existing electricity-using equipment, using the electrical power consumption amount to determine the difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the existing electricity consumption that arises when switching to a specified model, and determining a first amount of electricity consumption that includes this difference in the existing electricity consumption, and using the surplus electricity and the amount of purchased electricity to determine the difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the first electricity consumption that arises when the specified model of electricity-using equipment is self-consumption, and determining a second amount of purchased electricity that includes this difference.Therefore, the number of bills to be billed when installing a solar power generation system and electricity-using equipment and charging for the installation costs as multiple usage fees can be appropriately determined based on the historical values. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a customer facility in which a photovoltaic power generation device and power consumption equipment are installed in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how, in this embodiment, when a solar power generation system and a specified model of power-using equipment are introduced and the costs associated with the introduction are charged as usage fees for a specified period, the amount of the installment bill is determined using actual data. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data based on actual results of hourly power consumption of predetermined types of power consuming equipment in this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data on the average amount of surplus power of consumers at each time point based on actual results in this embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a first flowchart showing an example of a procedure for determining installment bill amounts for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]10 is a second flowchart showing an example of the procedure for determining the installment billing amount for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining the installment billing amount in a manner different from that shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 10 is a first flowchart showing an example of a procedure for determining an installment bill amount for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a second flowchart showing an example of the procedure for determining the installment billing amount for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is a first flowchart showing an example of a procedure for determining the number of installment bills for the introduction and use of a solar power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a second flowchart showing an example of the procedure for determining the number of installment bills for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consuming equipment in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is given by way of example only in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. (Embodiment 1) <Example of customer configuration> The following describes a consumer that acquires performance data according to the present invention, and a consumer that has installed a solar power generation system and power consumption equipment. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a consumer that has installed a solar power generation system and power consumption equipment and is the target for acquiring performance data in this embodiment, and a consumer that has installed a solar power generation system and power consumption equipment according to the present invention.

[0017] Consumer 10-1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a commercial power grid 19 and receives a supply of commercial power (power purchase). Consumer 10-1 is equipped with a solar power generation system 11. Consumer 10-1 also has a plurality of power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, .... The power consumption devices are, for example, electrical appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. Power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, ... operate on power supplied from commercial power grid 19 via breaker 16. Furthermore, power generated by solar power generation system 11 is consumed by power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, ... via breaker 16, or is sent to commercial power grid 19 by reverse power flow (power sale).

[0018] The solar power generation system 11 includes a solar panel 12, a power conditioner 13, a controller 14, and, optionally, a storage battery 15. The power conditioner 13 includes a bidirectional inverter 13A and a DC / DC converter 13C. If the solar power generation system 11 includes a storage battery 15, the power conditioner 13 also includes a bidirectional DC / DC converter 13B that charges and discharges the storage battery 15. The solar panel 12 receives sunlight and outputs a DC voltage and current to the DC / DC converter 13C. The DC / DC converter 13C boosts the DC voltage and outputs it to the bidirectional inverter 13A. If the solar power generation system 11 includes a storage battery 15, the storage battery 15 is charged with a DC voltage stepped down by the bidirectional DC / DC converter 13B. Conversely, when discharging, the power stored in the storage battery 15 is boosted by the bidirectional DC / DC converter 13B and output to the bidirectional inverter 13A.

[0019] The bidirectional inverter 13A converts the DC voltage output from the solar power generation device 11 via the DC / DC converter 13C into AC voltage and supplies it to the power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, etc. Alternatively, the bidirectional inverter 13A transmits the AC voltage to the commercial power grid 19 for sale. The controller 14 serves as a controller for the HEMS (Home Energy Management System) and communicates with the power conditioner 13 and at least some of the power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, etc. The controller 14 also communicates with the information terminal T4, displays information related to the HEMS on the information terminal 14T, and accepts user settings via the information terminal 14T. The information terminal 14T may be a dedicated device or a general-purpose device such as a smartphone or tablet. The controller 14 also communicates with an external HEMS server 18 connected via a network.

[0020] In this embodiment, the HEMS server 18 communicates with not only the consumer 10-1 but also multiple consumers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ... via a network. The consumers 10-2 and 10-3 have the same configuration as the consumer 10-1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the HEMS server 18 communicates with the controller 14 to provide information about the HEMS. Furthermore, the HEMS server 18 serves as a performance data collection device and collects performance data about the photovoltaic power generation device 11 and power consumption devices 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, ... installed in each consumer, and provides the collected performance data.

[0021] In this embodiment, the HEMS server 18 collects actual data on the amount of surplus power and purchased power for each hour of each consumer that has a photovoltaic power generation device installed. In other words, the actual data is time-series data, such as hourly surplus power. The actual data also includes the amount of power consumed by each power-using device. However, the power-using devices from which actual data can be collected are limited to those that can communicate with the HEMS server 18. For example, actual data cannot be collected for older air conditioners that do not have communication capabilities or air conditioners that are not configured to enable communication at their installation locations. Furthermore, the amount of actual data that can be collected for models that have only recently been released is small. Therefore, actual data collected from models with similar performance may be grouped and averaged and then applied.

[0022] As described below, the process of determining the installment billing amount using the collected performance data may be performed by a person, with or without the use of a device such as a computer or calculator. However, the process may also be performed by a device. FIG. 1 shows an installment billing amount determination device 20, which is the device responsible for the process, in a mode in which the process is performed by a device. As shown in FIG. 1, the installment billing amount determination device 20 includes a performance data receiving unit 20-1, a compatibility value calculation unit 20-2, an existing power consumption calculation unit 20-3, a first power consumption calculation unit 20-4, a second purchased power amount calculation unit 20-5, and a second power rate calculation unit 20-6. The installment billing amount determination device 20 also includes a power generation unit usage fee calculation unit 20-7, an equipment usage fee calculation unit 20-8, and an installment billing amount determination unit 20-9. The installment billing amount determination device 20 may be an information processing device, such as a PC, capable of communicating with the HEMS server 18, which serves as the performance data collection device. In this case, the billing amount determination system is made up of the HEMS server 18, which includes the performance data acquisition unit 18A and the performance data provision unit 18P, and the divided billing amount determination device 20, which includes the divided billing amount determination unit 20-9. Alternatively, the HEMS server 18 may include the functions of the divided billing amount determination device 20. In this case, the HEMS server 18 corresponds to the divided billing amount determination device.

[0023] The performance data receiving unit 20-1 receives collected performance data from the HEMS server 18, which serves as a performance data collecting device. The adaptation value calculation unit 20-2 performs a process of calculating a time-series surplus power amount, purchased power amount, and power consumption amount adapted to the consumer from the received performance data. The existing power consumption calculation unit 20-3 performs a process of calculating a time-series existing power consumption amount by existing power-using devices from the performance data. The first power consumption calculation unit 20-4 performs a process of calculating a first power consumption amount that includes a difference in the amount of purchased power resulting from replacing existing power-using devices with specified models in the existing power consumption amount. The second purchased power amount calculation unit 20-5 performs a process of calculating a second purchased power amount that includes a difference in the amount of purchased power resulting from the self-consumption of power by specified models of power-using devices. The second power fee calculation unit 20-6 performs a process of calculating a second power fee corresponding to the second purchased power amount. The power generation device usage fee calculation unit 20-7 performs a process of calculating a power generation device usage fee that divides the cost of introducing a solar power generation device among the number of billings. The equipment usage fee calculation unit 20-8 performs a process to calculate an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing a predetermined model of power-using equipment into billing periods. The divided bill amount determination unit 20-9 performs a process to determine the divided bill amount to be billed for each predetermined period (e.g., one month) by adding the second electricity fee to the power generation device usage fee and the equipment usage fee.

[0024] <Determination of installment invoice amounts for the introduction of solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment> This document describes a procedure for determining the installment billing amount when a consumer who installs a solar power generation system and a specified model of power-consuming equipment is billed for the installation costs of those equipment as usage fees over a specified period. The installment billing amount in this embodiment is based on the premise that the solar power generation system and the power-consuming equipment are installed as a set. In this embodiment, the installment billing amount is based on the installation of an air conditioner as an example of the power-consuming equipment. The power-consuming equipment is not limited to an air conditioner, but may be, for example, a refrigerator or other device. When a power-consuming equipment that consumes a large amount of power and operates using power generated by the solar power generation system (self-generated power) greatly benefits from reduced power purchases through self-consumption, the usage fees for the solar power generation system and the power-consuming equipment are billed in installments. As an example, assume that the power-consuming equipment 17-2 shown in FIG. 1 is an air conditioner, and the existing air conditioner is replaced with a new, specified model.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining the installment bill amount using actual data when a solar power generation system and a predetermined model of power-consuming equipment are installed and the installation costs are billed as usage fees for a predetermined period in this embodiment. The base amount used to determine the installment bill amount is the amount of electricity charges the consumer paid before the installation. That is, it is the electricity charge (existing electricity charge) corresponding to the amount of electricity purchased (existing electricity consumption) before the installation of the solar power generation system and the predetermined model of power-consuming equipment. This existing electricity charge is shown in FIG. 2 as "(1) Electricity charge corresponding to existing electricity consumption." If the installment bill amount does not exceed the existing electricity charge, it shows that the consumer can install the solar power generation system and the power-consuming equipment with no initial costs and no actual burden, and it is possible to appeal to the benefits of installation. Since electricity charges are generally billed monthly, the installment bill amount can also be billed monthly for a predetermined period of one month. In this case, the installment bill amount is calculated as a monthly bill amount.

[0026] The installation of solar power generation equipment can be either a new installation or a replacement installation. However, in the case of a replacement installation, the existing power consumption will be calculated as the electricity bill corresponding to the amount of power purchased if the solar power generation equipment were not present. Furthermore, in the case of a replacement installation, the cost of removing the existing solar power generation equipment will be included in the installation cost. The installation of power-using equipment is assumed to be a replacement installation, which is the most common case, but new installation is also acceptable. However, in the case of a new installation, when calculating "(2) Difference due to equipment replacement" shown in Figure 2, the electricity bill corresponding to the original equipment is zero, so the difference will be positive relative to the existing electricity bill, not negative as shown in Figure 2.

[0027] Newly installed power-consuming equipment is typically more energy-efficient than existing power-consuming equipment. For example, the air conditioner to be installed has a sunshine sensor that detects the presence or absence of sunlight and activates a power-saving function depending on the presence or absence of sunlight. Assume that the existing air conditioner does not have this function. The power-saving function depending on the presence or absence of sunlight, for example, reduces the heating level more than usual when the sunshine sensor detects sunlight entering the room during the daytime in winter. Similarly, during the nighttime in summer when sunlight does not enter the room, reduces the cooling level more than usual. If the installed air conditioner has such a power-saving function that is not available in existing models, a difference in the electricity bill due to the replacement of the power-using equipment will occur compared to the existing electricity bill. This amount is shown as "(2) Difference due to equipment replacement" in Figure 2. To calculate this amount, it is necessary to calculate the power consumption of the existing model and the power consumption of the specified model to be installed. In this embodiment, it is necessary to know the power consumption of the old air conditioner and the new air conditioner. The power consumption of the air conditioner may be calculated using values ​​listed in a catalog or other document. However, since the amount of power consumption varies depending on the conditions of the room in which the air conditioner is installed, it is preferable to obtain the amount of power consumption that is in line with actual use. Therefore, in this embodiment, correction is made based on actual data.

[0028] If power consumption data for existing models of a customer installing an air conditioner is collected as hourly actual data, a correction coefficient may be calculated to match the catalog values ​​(e.g., periodic power consumption) with the actual data. Then, a numerical value (hourly power consumption) may be calculated by matching the hourly actual power consumption data to the existing model. However, actual data for a specific air conditioner is not always available. In such cases, the average value of actual data collected for models with similar performance across customers can be used as actual data. A correction coefficient is calculated to match the applied actual data with the catalog values ​​of the existing model, and the hourly power consumption of the existing model can be calculated. The same applies to the specified model to be installed. Thus, in this embodiment, the actual power consumption data for the existing and specified air conditioners includes not only the power consumption actually measured at the customer, but also catalog values ​​and values ​​obtained by correcting the catalog values. From the hourly power consumption data for the existing and specified models calculated in this way, the difference in power consumption over one month due to the model replacement is calculated, and a first power consumption is calculated by combining the existing power consumption and the difference. An example of the electricity bill corresponding to the difference between the existing electricity consumption and the first electricity consumption (-112 yen / month) is shown in Figure 2 as "(2) Difference due to equipment replacement," along with the electricity bill corresponding to the first electricity consumption (15,214 yen / month).

[0029] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data table that averages the hourly power consumption of consumers from actual data collected for a specific model of air conditioner. Each horizontal column in Figure 3 represents a year divided into months. Because air conditioner power consumption fluctuates seasonally, it is reasonable to use a year, which is the cycle of the seasons, as the period for actual data. The year is divided into months because a month is an appropriate unit for showing seasonal fluctuations and because usage fees are billed monthly. Each vertical column in Figure 3 represents a day divided into 24 hourly units. Note that the division into years, months, and hours as shown in Figure 3 is just an example. Each vertical and horizontal column in Figure 3 represents the average power consumption of a specific model at each hour for each month of each year.

[0030] For example, customers installing solar power generation equipment for the first time, or those replacing existing solar power generation equipment that does not communicate with the HEMS server 18, cannot obtain hourly surplus power or purchased power amounts. Therefore, average surplus power and average purchased power amounts are calculated by averaging the actual data of solar power generation equipment and purchased power amounts for all or similar consumers. Figure 4 shows an example of a data table in which the amount of surplus power collected from each consumer for each hour is averaged across consumers. The horizontal and vertical columns in Figure 4 are divided in the same way as in Figure 3. That is, the horizontal columns represent the division of a year into months, and the vertical columns represent the division of a day into 24 hours. Note that this division is merely an example. Each vertical and horizontal column in Figure 4 represents the average amount of surplus power for each hour of a consumer equipped with a solar power generation equipment for each month of each year. Although not shown in the figure, a data table in which the purchased power amounts for each hour collected from each consumer are averaged among the consumers may be used in the same way for the purchased power amounts.

[0031] The amount of power generated varies for each consumer depending on conditions such as the number of solar panels 12 installed and their installation locations. Therefore, a correction coefficient is determined so that the average surplus power and the average amount of power purchased conform to the conditions of the solar power generation device 11 installed at the consumer. Then, the reduction in the amount of purchased power that will be reduced by installing the solar power generation device 11 and generating power in-house is calculated, and the second amount of purchased power is calculated by adding the first amount of power consumption and the reduction in the amount of purchased power. To determine the reduction in the amount of purchased power, a correction coefficient is calculated to adjust the total of the average amount of surplus power for each hour and the average amount of purchased power for each hour over a month to the consumer's existing power consumption, and the surplus power adjusted to the consumer is used as the reduction in the amount of purchased power. The average surplus power amount, average purchased power amount, and the electricity bill corresponding to the reduction (-6,372 yen / month) are shown in Figure 2 as "(3) Reduction due to power generation by solar power generation equipment," along with the electricity bill corresponding to the second purchased power amount (8,842 yen / month). As described above, the reduction in electricity bill due to the replacement of the air conditioner and the reduction in electricity bill due to the in-house power generation by the solar power generation equipment 11 are calculated.

[0032] Next, the usage fees for the solar power generation system and the power-consuming equipment are calculated. The usage fees for the solar power generation system are calculated by dividing the installation costs of the solar power generation system 11 into a predetermined number of billings. The number of billings can be determined in advance based on the point at which the installation costs are to be fully recovered before the end of the solar power generation system's lifespan. Until the cost recovery is complete, the business that installed the installed solar power generation system and the power-consuming equipment retains ownership of the equipment. After the cost recovery is complete, the ownership is transferred to the consumer. In this embodiment, since the solar power generation system and the air conditioner are installed as a set, the installation costs can be recovered before the end of the shorter of their lifespans. The lifespans can be determined based on the design lifespans of the solar power generation system and the air conditioner, or based on the market performance of the target model or similar models. The market performance can be collected by the HEMS server 18, which serves as a performance data collection device, or by data related to maintenance services or replacement installation work separate from the performance data collection device.

[0033] The installation costs include the price of the equipment, the cost of removal work if existing equipment is removed, and the cost of installation work. Furthermore, it is preferable to include the estimated maintenance costs until the installation costs are fully recovered. This eliminates the need for consumers to bear the maintenance costs until the installation costs are fully recovered, and facilitates smooth negotiations and contracts with consumers regarding the installation of solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment. As an example, if the installation costs are recovered over eight years and billed in monthly installments, the number of installment bills is 96. In other words, the installation costs are fully recovered in 96 months. The installation costs of the solar power generation equipment 11 are divided into 96 installments to determine the solar power generation equipment 11 usage fee for the installment billing. This is the usage fee (3,960 yen) shown as "(5) Solar Power Generation Equipment Usage Fee" in Figure 2.

[0034] Similarly, the cost of installing an air conditioner is divided into 96 parts to determine the air conditioner usage fee for installment billing. In Figure 2, this is the usage fee (2,485 yen) shown as "(6) Air Conditioner Usage Fee." The installment billing amount is the electricity fee corresponding to the second amount of purchased electricity plus the usage fee for the solar power generation system 11 and the usage fee for the air conditioner. In the example shown in Figure 2, the calculated installment billing amount (15,287 yen / month) is lower than the existing electricity fee (15,326 yen / month), and is therefore an appropriate amount for installment billing when installing a solar power generation system and air conditioner.

[0035] <Flowchart for determining installment claim amount> 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of a procedure for determining the installment bill amount for the introduction and use of a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power-using equipment in this embodiment. In this embodiment, historical data is collected by the HEMS server 18, which serves as a historical data collection device. The process of determining the installment bill amount using the collected historical data may be performed by a device such as the HEMS server 18, or may be performed primarily by a person. When a person performs this process, a device such as a computer or calculator may be used. In other words, the process does not necessarily have to be performed by a device such as a computer; the process may be performed by a person, or all or part of the process may be performed by a person using a device. In the following explanation, an example in which the process is performed primarily by a computer will be described.

[0036] The HEMS server 18 collects actual data, including the hourly surplus power generated by the solar power generation system installed at the consumer, the amount of power purchased, and the amount of power consumed by the air conditioner. As shown in FIG. 5, a computer that executes processing for determining the installment billing amount receives the actual data collected by the HEMS server 18 (step S11). Then, based on the received actual data, the average hourly surplus power, average power purchased, and average power consumption of the air conditioner of the specified model or similar performance are calculated for the consumer who has installed the solar power generation system and a specified model of air conditioner (step S13). Next, the average monthly existing electricity charge for a situation in which there is no private power generation by the solar power generation system and the existing air conditioner is used is obtained (step S15). This corresponds to the electricity charge shown in (1) of FIG. 2. The existing electricity charge can be obtained, for example, by communication between the controller 14 or the HEMS server 18 and the smart meter (not shown in FIG. 1) of the consumer 10-1. Furthermore, the hourly existing electricity consumption of the existing model or a similar air conditioner is obtained (step S17). The existing power consumption corresponds to the average power consumption calculated for the air conditioner to be installed in step S13 described above, and is tailored to the consumer, similar to the average power consumption of the predetermined model of air conditioner calculated in step S13 described above. Then, the difference in the amount of purchased power for each hour resulting from the replacement of the air conditioner is calculated, and a first power consumption amount is calculated by combining the calculated difference with the existing power consumption amount (step S19). This is the process of calculating the first power consumption amount including the difference shown in (2) of FIG. 2. Furthermore, the average surplus power amount and the average purchased power amount are used to calculate the reduction in the amount of purchased power resulting from the self-consumption of surplus power by the predetermined model of air conditioner in each hour, and a second power purchase amount is calculated by combining the calculated reduction with the first power consumption amount (step S21). This is the process of calculating the second power purchase amount including the reduction shown in (3) of FIG. 2. Then, the electricity rate (second electricity rate) corresponding to the second amount of purchased power over one month is calculated (step S23).

[0037] Next, the cost of installing the solar power generation system is divided into a predetermined number of months to calculate the usage fee for the solar power generation system (step S31 shown in FIG. 6). This is the process for calculating the usage fee shown in (5) of FIG. 2. Furthermore, the cost of installing the air conditioner is divided into a predetermined number of months to calculate the usage fee for the air conditioner (step S33). This is the process for calculating the usage fee shown in (6) of FIG. 2. Then, the second electricity fee calculated in step S23 above is added to the usage fee for the solar power generation system calculated in step S31 and the usage fee for the air conditioner calculated in step S33 to determine the installment bill amount (step S35). The above is an example of the procedure for determining the installment bill amounts for the installation and use of a solar power generation system and a predetermined model of power-using equipment in this embodiment.

[0038] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the existing air conditioner is replaced with a more energy-efficient air conditioner, and the installment bill amount is determined taking into account the difference in electricity charges due to the equipment replacement. In this embodiment, the installment bill amount is also determined taking into account the difference in electricity charges due to the setting or control of the installed air conditioner's power-saving function to further increase the proportion of self-consumption. The installed air conditioner is assumed to have a human presence sensor that detects whether or not a room is occupied. When no one is in the room, the air conditioner operates at a lower temperature than when a person is present. Furthermore, when there is surplus power generated when no one is in the room and the room temperature rises, for example, in the summer, the surplus power is used to operate at a low cooling level to prevent the room temperature from rising. When the air conditioner starts operating in the evening after people return home, the cooling operation is started when the room temperature has not yet risen, thereby reducing start-up power consumption and achieving energy savings. Conversely, when the room temperature drops in the winter, the surplus power is used to operate at a low heating level to prevent the room temperature from dropping. When people return home in the evening and heating operation is started, the room temperature drop has already been suppressed, so the start-up power consumption is reduced, resulting in energy savings. In this specification, this energy-saving function, which further increases the proportion of self-consumption, is called the solar-linked function.

[0039] Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 2 and is an explanatory diagram showing an example of determining the installment bill amount including the solar power linkage function. The same parts as in Figure 2 are omitted. Figure 7 differs from Figure 2 in the section "(4) Difference in effect due to the power-saving function (solar power linkage) that promotes self-consumption: -615 yen / month." Furthermore, some numerical values ​​are different. This (4) represents the reduction in electricity bills by increasing self-consumption through the solar power linkage function. The third power consumption amount is calculated by adding the difference due to (2) equipment replacement and the difference due to (3) solar power generation equipment to the difference due to solar power linkage (4) and including this difference in (1) existing power consumption. The electricity rate (third power rate) corresponding to the calculated third power consumption amount is then calculated. The third power rate is then added to the (5) solar power generation equipment usage fee and the (6) air conditioner usage fee to determine the installment bill amount.

[0040] 8 and 9 correspond to FIGS. 5 and 6 and are flowcharts showing an example of a procedure for determining the installment billing amount, including the solar-linked function. Similar processes in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by similar reference numerals. Processes different from those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by reference numerals S41 to S49. Descriptions of processes similar to those in FIGS. 5 and 6 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, when determining the installment billing amount, the computer receives, as actual data, information related to the power-saving function in addition to the hourly surplus power amount generated by the solar power generation device installed at the consumer, the amount of power purchased, and the power consumption of the air conditioner (step S41). The information related to the power-saving function may include, for example, information on whether the solar-linked function is enabled, and may also include information related to the detection of a human sensor.

[0041] The received performance data is then used to calculate the average hourly surplus power, average power purchase amount, and average power consumption of a specified model or an air conditioner of similar performance for each consumer. The average power consumption is calculated for both cases where the solar linkage function is disabled and enabled (step S43). The subsequent steps S15 to S21, up to calculating the second power purchase amount, are the same as those shown in FIG. 5. Next, the computer calculates the difference in the power purchase amount for each hour resulting from activating the solar linkage function (step S45 shown in FIG. 9). This is the process for calculating the difference shown in (4) of FIG. 7. The difference in the power purchase amount resulting from activating the solar linkage function can be calculated by collecting verification data demonstrating the effectiveness of solar linkage under the conditions of an average consumer in advance and adjusting the reference verification data to the performance of the consumer's air conditioner. The electricity rate corresponding to the third power purchase amount over one month (third electricity rate) is then calculated (step S47).

[0042] Thereafter, the process of calculating the solar power generation system usage fee in step S31 and the process of calculating the air conditioner usage fee in S33 are the same as those in Fig. 6. Then, the third electricity fee calculated in step S47 above is added to the solar power generation system usage fee calculated in step S31 and the air conditioner usage fee calculated in step S33 to determine the installment billing amount (step S49). The above is an example of the procedure for determining installment billing amounts for the introduction and use of a solar power generation system and a predetermined model of power-using equipment in this embodiment.

[0043] (Embodiment 3) In the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the number of installment billings is predetermined. In contrast, in this embodiment, the installment billing amount and the number of installment billings are determined by repeatedly calculating the installment billing amount while changing (increasing) the number of installment billings until a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition to be met is a condition that the installment billing amount does not exceed a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate. For example, a condition that the installment billing amount is equal to or less than the existing electricity rate.

[0044] 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the process for determining the installment billing amount and the number of billings in this embodiment. As in the first and second embodiments, this process may be performed by a device such as the HEMS server 18, or may be performed by a person. Processes similar to those in FIGS. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The processing of steps S11 to S21 in Fig. 10 is the same as that of Fig. 5. In step S21, the computer calculates the second electricity rate for one month, and also calculates the existing electricity rate for one month (step S51). Then, a predetermined standard number of times is applied as the initial value of the number of billings used in the trial calculation of the installment billing amount (step S53 shown in Fig. 11). The standard number of times is, for example, the number of billings predetermined in the first embodiment.

[0045] Then, the system calculates the solar power generation system usage fee when the cost of installing the solar power generation system is divided by the applied number of billings (step S55). Furthermore, the system calculates the air conditioner usage fee when the cost of installing the air conditioner is divided by the above-mentioned number of billings (step S57). Then, the system calculates the estimated amount of the split billing amount by adding the second electricity rate plus the solar power generation system usage fee and the air conditioner usage fee (step S59). Next, it determines whether the calculated estimated amount is within a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate calculated in the above-mentioned step S51 (step S61). If the estimated amount is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S61), it determines the amount of the second electricity rate plus the solar power generation system usage fee and the air conditioner usage fee as the split billing amount, and determines the applied number of billings at that time as the number of billings for the split billing (step S63). Then, the process ends.

[0046] On the other hand, if the asset amount is not within the predetermined range (No in step S61), the number of billings to be applied is increased by one (step S65).Then, the process returns to step S55, and the process of calculating the estimated installment billing amount is repeated using the updated number of billings. The flowcharts in Figures 10 and 11 correspond to Figures 5 and 6 according to the first embodiment. Although a flowchart corresponding to the second embodiment is not shown, the processing shown in steps S11 to S23 in Figure 10 can be replaced with steps S41, S43, S15 to S21 in Figure 8 and steps S45 and S47 in Figure 9. Furthermore, in the processing of step S63, the amount obtained by adding the third electricity rate, the solar power generation device usage fee, and the air conditioner usage fee, instead of the second electricity rate, can be determined as the amount to be billed and the number of bills to be billed in installments. The above is the process for determining the installment billing amount and the number of billings in this embodiment.

[0047] As mentioned above, (i) The billing amount determination system according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: an actual data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, actual data such as the amount of surplus electricity generated over time by solar power generation devices installed at multiple consumers, the amount of electricity purchased over time, and the amount of electricity consumed over time; an actual data provision unit that provides the acquired actual data in order to determine the amount of a bill to be charged for usage fees when a solar power generation device and a specified model of electricity-using equipment are introduced to consumers who use electricity-using equipment and the costs associated with the introduction of the solar power generation device and the specified model are charged as usage fees for each specified period; and a billing amount determination unit that determines the amount to be charged.

[0048] In this invention, the introduction of a solar power generation system includes both new introduction and replacement introduction. The introduction of an electric power consuming device means replacing an existing device with a new one. The electric power consuming device to be introduced may be one or more, and if more than one device is used, they may be of different models. For example, in addition to electric power consuming device 17-2 shown in FIG. 1, electric power consuming device 17-3 may be replaced. When multiple electric power consuming devices are introduced, the amount of power consumption of each electric power consuming device can be acquired and added up to determine the installment bill amount. Furthermore, a power consuming device is a device that operates using electric power. Specific examples of such devices include an air conditioner and a refrigerator. The air conditioner in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the power consuming device of the present invention. Furthermore, the predetermined model is not necessarily limited to one model, but may include multiple models, since models with similar characteristics may be handled together.

[0049] Each time period may be an hourly time period, but is not limited to this and may be any time period of a predetermined length. Alternatively, for example, the time period may be divided into units of year, month, and day, with one year as the unit of climate recurrence and one month as the unit of climate change, and each day of the month as the unit of change in one-hour increments, and the amount of surplus power, purchased power, and power consumption of a specified model for each time period may be acquired. In the above-described embodiment, actual data is acquired for each time period divided into units of year, month, and day. However, this is merely an example, and for example, half a month may be used as the unit of climate change instead of one month, and 90-minute increments may be used instead of one-hour increments for each day.

[0050] Furthermore, the specified period for billing the usage fee may be, for example, one month, and the usage fee may be billed monthly, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, billed every two months, or every two weeks. Furthermore, the invoice amount may be divided equally, but is not limited to this. For example, the invoice amount may be weighted according to the time period so that the implementation costs can be recovered early, with the invoice amount at the beginning being higher than the invoice amount at the end.

[0051] (ii) Furthermore, a method for determining an installment billing amount according to the present invention is a method for using historical data to determine an installment billing amount when a consumer is introduced to a photovoltaic power generation system and a predetermined model of power consumption equipment, and the costs associated with the introduction of the photovoltaic power generation system and the predetermined model of equipment are billed as usage fees for each predetermined period, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring historical data from a historical data collection device that includes a historical data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, historical data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the photovoltaic power generation systems installed at a plurality of consumers; calculating, from the historical data, the time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the predetermined model of equipment that are adapted to the consumer involved in the introduction; and calculating, from the historical data, the time-series existing power consumption amounts of the existing power consumption equipment. a step of calculating a difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the existing electricity consumption resulting from switching to the specified model using the electricity consumption, and calculating a first electricity consumption amount by including this difference in the existing electricity consumption; a step of calculating a difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the first electricity consumption resulting from self-consumption by the electricity-using equipment of the specified model using the surplus electricity and the purchased electricity amount, and calculating a second electricity purchase amount by including this difference; a step of calculating a second electricity charge corresponding to the second amount of purchased electricity over the specified period; a step of calculating a power generation equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the solar power generation equipment into a predetermined number of billings; a step of calculating an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the specified model into the number of billings; and a step of setting the divided billing amount as the second electricity charge plus the power generation equipment usage fee and the equipment usage fee. The amount of surplus power, amount of purchased power, and amount of power consumption may be obtained by calculating average data among multiple consumers for each of the amounts of surplus power, purchased power, and power consumption, and then adapting this data to the size and specified model of the solar power generation equipment to be installed.

[0052] (iii) In a preferred embodiment of the method for determining the installment billing amount according to the present invention, the actual data acquisition unit further acquires information relating to the time-series power-saving functions of the specified model as one of the actual data, and calculates the average power consumption for each piece of information relating to the power-saving functions of the specified model; and determines the difference from the second power purchase amount that occurs by controlling the power-saving functions to operate so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, and determines a third power purchase amount that includes this difference.The method may also include a step of calculating a third power charge corresponding to the third power purchase amount instead of the second power charge.

[0053] According to this aspect, solar power generation equipment and power-using equipment can be introduced, including the reduction in electricity charges due to control that activates the power-saving function to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, and the amount to be charged when the costs related to the introduction are charged as usage fees over multiple installments can be appropriately determined based on actual values. The information relating to the power saving function may be the status of one function, but is not limited to this and may also be the status of each of a plurality of power saving related functions.

[0054] (iv) The setting or control for activating the power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption may be performed by the installed specified model communicating with the performance data collection device. According to this aspect, the performance data collection device acquires performance data and can communicate with the specific model that has been installed to set or control the device to activate a power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption.

[0055] (v) A method for determining the number of charges according to the present invention is a method for using historical data to determine the number of charges for a usage fee when a consumer is introduced to a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model, and the costs associated with the introduction of the photovoltaic power generation device and the predetermined model are charged as a usage fee for each predetermined period, the method including the steps of: acquiring historical data from a historical data collection device that includes a historical data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, historical data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; calculating, from the historical data, the time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts of the predetermined model that are adapted to the consumer associated with the introduction; acquiring, from the historical data, time-series existing power consumption amounts of existing power-using devices; using the power consumption amount to determine a difference in the amount of purchased power from the existing power consumption amount that occurs when switching to the predetermined model; and determining a first power consumption amount that includes the difference in the existing power consumption amount; a step of calculating a difference in the amount of purchased electricity from the first amount of electricity consumption resulting from self-consumption by a power-using device, and calculating a second amount of purchased electricity including the difference; a step of calculating an existing electricity rate corresponding to the existing amount of electricity consumption over the predetermined period, and a second electricity rate corresponding to the second amount of purchased electricity over the predetermined period; a step of calculating a power generation device usage fee in which a cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation device is divided into a predetermined number of billings; a step of calculating an equipment usage fee in which a cost related to the introduction of the predetermined model is divided into the number of billings; a step of calculating the sum of the usage fee and the equipment usage fee as an estimated installment bill amount; determining whether the estimated installment bill amount is higher than the existing electricity rate by more than a predetermined range, and if it is higher by more than the predetermined range, updating the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee, and the estimated installment bill amount by applying a billing number that is one greater than the billing number, and repeating the update of the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee, and the estimated installment bill amount by applying another billing number that is one greater until the updated estimated installment bill amount does not exceed the predetermined range for the existing electricity rate;and determining the number of billings such that the updated estimated installment billing amount does not exceed a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate. The amount of surplus power, amount of purchased power, and amount of power consumption may be obtained by calculating average data among multiple consumers for each of the amounts of surplus power, purchased power, and power consumption, and then adapting this data to the size and specified model of the solar power generation equipment to be installed.

[0056] (vi) In a preferred embodiment of the method for determining the number of bills according to the present invention, the actual data acquisition unit further acquires information related to the time-series power-saving functions of the specified model and calculates an average power consumption for each piece of information related to the power-saving functions of the specified model, and calculates a difference from the second power purchase amount that occurs by controlling the power-saving functions to operate so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, and calculates a third power purchase amount that includes this difference, and may also include a step of calculating a third power charge corresponding to the third power purchase amount instead of the second power charge.

[0057] According to this aspect, when a solar power generation system and power-using equipment are introduced, including the reduction in electricity charges due to control of the power saving function to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, the number of times to charge for the costs of introduction as usage fees over multiple installments can be appropriately determined based on actual values. The information relating to the power saving function may be the status of one function, but is not limited to this and may also be the status of each of a plurality of power saving related functions.

[0058] (vii) The setting or control for activating the power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption may be performed by the installed specified model communicating with the performance data collection device. According to this aspect, the performance data collection device acquires performance data and can communicate with the specific model that has been installed to set or control the device to activate a power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption.

[0059] (viii) Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of the method of determining the installment invoice amount and the number of invoices according to this invention, the cost of installing the solar power generation device may include an average maintenance cost based on actual results required for construction and maintenance repairs related to the installation of the solar power generation device over a total period obtained by multiplying the specified period by the number of invoices, and the cost of installing the specified model may include an average maintenance cost based on actual results required for construction and maintenance repairs related to the installation of the specified model over the total period. According to this aspect, when introducing a solar power generation system and power-using equipment, including the costs required for construction, maintenance, and repair related to the introduction of the solar power generation system and the specified model, and charging the cost of installation as usage fees over multiple installments, the amount and number of charges can be appropriately determined based on actual values.

[0060] (ix) The installment billing amount determination device according to the present invention includes a performance data receiving unit that receives performance data from a device that acquires, via communication, performance data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; a performance data calculation unit that calculates, from the received performance data, time-series surplus power amounts, purchased power amounts, and power consumption amounts that are adapted to a consumer that will install a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model of power consumption device; an existing power consumption calculation unit that calculates, from the performance data, time-series existing power consumption amounts by the existing power consumption devices; a first power consumption calculation unit that uses the power consumption to determine the difference in the purchased power amount from the existing power consumption amount that occurs when switching to the predetermined model, and determines a first power consumption amount that includes this difference in the existing power consumption amount; and a performance data calculation unit that calculates, from the received performance data, time-series surplus power amounts, purchased power amounts, and power consumption amounts that will occur when switching to the predetermined model of power consumption device, a second power purchase amount calculation unit that calculates the difference in the amount of purchased power from the first power consumption amount resulting from the self-consumption of the power-using equipment of the specified model using the amount of purchased power, and calculates a second power purchase amount including the difference; a second power fee calculation unit that calculates a second power fee corresponding to the second power purchase amount over a specified period; a power generation device usage fee calculation unit that calculates a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the solar power generation device into a predetermined number of billings; an equipment usage fee calculation unit that calculates an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the specified model into the same number of billings; and a split bill amount determination unit that sets the amount of the second power fee plus the power generation device usage fee and the equipment usage fee as the split bill amount for the fee when the cost of introducing the solar power generation device and the power-using equipment of the specified model are billed as usage fees for each specified period.

[0061] (x) The billing amount determination method according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of: acquiring, via communication, actual data on the time series of surplus electricity, the time series of purchased electricity, and the time series of electricity consumption by solar power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; providing the acquired actual data to consumers who use electricity-using equipment in order to determine the billing amount for usage fees when introducing solar power generation devices and electricity-using equipment of a predetermined model to the consumers who use electricity-using equipment and charging the costs associated with introducing the solar power generation devices and the predetermined model as usage fees for a predetermined period; and determining the billing amount using the actual data.

[0062] The aspects of the present invention also include combinations of any of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications and equivalents to the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10-1, 10-2, 10-3: Consumer, 11: Photovoltaic power generation device, 12: Solar panel, 13: Power conditioner, 13A: Bidirectional inverter, 13B: Bidirectional DC / DC converter, 13C: DC / DC converter, 14: Controller, 14T: Information terminal, 15: Storage battery, 16: Breaker, 17-1, 17-2, 17-3: Power usage device, 18: HEMS server, 18A: Actual data acquisition unit, 18P: Actual data provision unit, 19: Commercial power system, 20: Installment billing amount determination device, 20-1: Actual data reception unit, 20-2: Suitability value calculation unit, 20-3: Existing power consumption calculation unit, 20-4: First power consumption calculation unit, 20-5: Second power purchase amount calculation unit, 20-6: Second power fee calculation unit, 20-7: Power generation equipment usage fee calculation unit, 20-8: Equipment usage fee calculation unit, 20-9: Installment billing amount determination unit

Claims

1. an actual data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, actual data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts generated by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; a performance data providing unit that provides the acquired performance data in order to determine the amount of a usage fee to be charged when a solar power generation device and a predetermined model of power consumption device are introduced to a consumer who uses power consumption devices and the costs associated with the introduction of the solar power generation device and the predetermined model are charged as a usage fee for each predetermined period; a billing amount determination unit that determines the billing amount; A billing amount determination system comprising:

2. A method for determining, using actual data, installment invoice amounts when a consumer is provided with a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model of power consumption device, and costs related to the introduction of the photovoltaic power generation device and the predetermined model are invoiced as usage fees for each predetermined period, the method comprising: acquiring performance data from a performance data collection device that includes a performance data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, performance data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts from photovoltaic power generation devices installed at multiple consumers, and a performance data provision unit that provides the acquired performance data; A step of calculating a time-series amount of surplus power, a time-series amount of purchased power, and a time-series amount of power consumption of the predetermined model that are adapted to the consumer related to the introduction from the performance data; calculating a time-series amount of existing power consumption by existing power-using devices from the performance data; calculating a difference in the amount of purchased power from the existing power consumption resulting from switching to the predetermined model, using the power consumption, and calculating a first power consumption amount by adding the difference to the existing power consumption amount; using the surplus power amount and the purchased power amount to calculate a difference between the first power consumption amount and the purchased power amount resulting from self-consumption by the power consumption device of the predetermined model, and to calculate a second purchased power amount including the difference; calculating a second electricity rate corresponding to the second amount of purchased electricity over the predetermined period; a step of calculating a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation device into a predetermined number of billings; a step of calculating an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the predetermined model into the number of billings; and setting the divided billing amount as the sum of the second electricity rate, the power generation device usage fee, and the equipment usage fee.

3. the performance data acquisition unit further acquires information relating to a time-series power saving function of the predetermined model as one of the performance data; calculating an average power consumption for each piece of information related to a power saving function of the predetermined model; and calculating a difference from the second purchased amount that occurs when the power saving function is set or controlled to operate so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, and calculating a third purchased amount that includes the difference, The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of calculating a third electricity rate corresponding to the third amount of purchased electricity in place of the second electricity rate.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the setting or control for activating the power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption is performed by the installed specified model communicating with the performance data collection device.

5. A method for determining, using performance data, the number of times to charge a usage fee when a consumer is introduced to a solar power generation device and a predetermined model, and costs related to the introduction of the solar power generation device and the predetermined model are charged as a usage fee for each predetermined period, the method comprising: acquiring performance data from a performance data collection device that includes a performance data acquisition unit that acquires, via communication, performance data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series power purchase amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts from photovoltaic power generation devices installed at multiple consumers, and a performance data provision unit that provides the acquired performance data; A step of calculating a time-series amount of surplus power, a time-series amount of purchased power, and a time-series amount of power consumption of the predetermined model that are adapted to the consumer related to the introduction from the performance data; obtaining, from the performance data, a time-series amount of existing power consumption by existing power-using devices; calculating a difference in the amount of purchased power from the existing power consumption resulting from switching to the predetermined model, using the power consumption, and calculating a first power consumption amount by adding the difference to the existing power consumption amount; using the surplus power amount and the purchased power amount to calculate a difference between the first power consumption amount and the purchased power amount resulting from self-consumption by the power consumption device of the predetermined model, and to calculate a second purchased power amount including the difference; calculating an existing electricity rate corresponding to the existing electricity consumption amount over the predetermined period and a second electricity rate corresponding to a second electricity purchase amount over the predetermined period; a step of calculating a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation device into a predetermined number of billings; a step of calculating an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost of introducing the predetermined model into the number of billings; a step of calculating an amount obtained by adding the second electricity rate to the power generation device usage fee and the equipment usage fee as an estimated installment billing amount; determining whether the estimated installment billing amount is higher than the existing electricity rate by more than a predetermined range, and if the estimated installment billing amount is higher than the predetermined range, applying a billing frequency that is one greater than the billing frequency to update the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee, and the estimated installment billing amount; Repeatedly update the power generation device usage fee, the equipment usage fee, and the estimated installment bill amount by applying one more increment of the billing frequency until the updated estimated installment bill amount does not exceed a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate; and determining a number of billings for which the updated estimated installment bill amount does not exceed a predetermined range for the existing electricity rate.

6. the performance data acquisition unit further acquires information related to a time-series power saving function of the predetermined model, calculating an average power consumption for each piece of information related to a power saving function of the predetermined model; a step of calculating a difference from the second purchased power amount that occurs by performing control to activate the power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption, and calculating a third purchased power amount that includes the difference, The method according to claim 5 , further comprising the step of calculating a third electricity rate corresponding to the third amount of purchased electricity in place of the second electricity rate.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the setting or control for activating the power saving function so as to further increase the proportion of self-consumption is performed by the installed specified model communicating with the performance data collection device.

8. The cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation device includes an average maintenance cost based on actual results required for construction and maintenance repair related to the introduction of the solar power generation device during a total period obtained by multiplying the specified period by the number of claims, The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cost associated with the introduction of the specified model includes an average maintenance cost based on actual results required for construction and maintenance repairs associated with the introduction of the specified model during the total period.

9. a performance data receiving unit configured to receive performance data from a device that acquires, via communication, a time-series amount of surplus power, a time-series amount of purchased power, and a time-series amount of power consumption by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers as performance data; a matching value calculation unit that calculates, from the received performance data, a time-series amount of surplus power, a purchased amount of power, and a power consumption amount that are matched to a customer that has installed a photovoltaic power generation device and a predetermined model of power-using device; an existing power consumption calculation unit that calculates time-series existing power consumption by existing power consumption devices from the performance data; a first power consumption calculation unit that calculates a difference in the amount of purchased power from the existing power consumption resulting from switching to the predetermined model, using the power consumption, and calculates a first power consumption by including the difference in the existing power consumption; a second power purchase amount calculation unit that calculates a difference between the first power consumption amount and the power purchase amount resulting from self-consumption by the power consumption device of the predetermined model, using the surplus power amount and the power purchase amount, and calculates a second power purchase amount including the difference; a second electricity rate calculation unit that calculates a second electricity rate corresponding to the second electricity purchase amount over a predetermined period; a power generation device usage fee calculation unit that calculates a power generation device usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the solar power generation device into a predetermined number of billings; an equipment usage fee calculation unit that calculates an equipment usage fee by dividing the cost related to the introduction of the predetermined model by the number of times of billing; an invoice amount determination unit that sets the sum of the second electricity rate, the power generation device usage fee, and the equipment usage fee as an invoice amount for the usage fee when the costs related to the introduction of the solar power generation device and the predetermined model of power consuming equipment are invoiced as a usage fee for each predetermined period; A split billing amount determination device comprising:

10. acquiring, via communication, actual data on time-series surplus power amounts, time-series purchased power amounts, and time-series power consumption amounts generated by photovoltaic power generation devices installed at a plurality of consumers; providing the acquired performance data to determine the amount of usage fees to be charged when introducing a solar power generation system and a predetermined model of power consumption equipment to a consumer who uses power consumption equipment, and charging the costs of introducing the solar power generation system and the predetermined model as usage fees for each predetermined period; determining the billing amount using the performance data; A billing amount determination method comprising:

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