Solar panels help reduce electricity costs, but pairing them with a solar battery can take savings even further—especially in areas with time‑of‑use (TOU) utility rates. TOU plans charge higher rates for electricity during peak hours, usually late afternoon and evening. Knowing when to add a solar battery can help homeowners store energy when rates are low and use it when prices are highest.
Understanding Time‑of‑Use Rate Plans
Time‑of‑use billing means electricity prices change throughout the day based on demand. Peak hours often coincide with when families are home and using the most power, which can lead to higher bills even with solar panels. Without a battery, excess solar energy produced during the day may be sent back to the grid, while homeowners still pay premium rates later when the sun goes down.
Add a Battery When Peak Rates Increase
One of the best times to add a solar battery is when utility companies raise peak pricing or shift peak hours later into the evening. A battery allows you to store solar power produced earlier in the day and use it during high‑cost hours instead of pulling electricity from the grid. This strategy can significantly reduce reliance on expensive peak‑rate power.
Consider a Battery If Your Solar Export Credits Are Lower
If your utility offers reduced compensation for excess solar energy sent to the grid, adding a battery becomes even more valuable. Rather than exporting power for a lower credit, homeowners can store that energy and use it themselves when electricity rates rise. This helps improve the overall return on your solar investment while increasing energy independence.
Adding a solar battery makes the most sense when time‑of‑use rates are high, export credits are limited, or peak demand falls outside daylight hours. By storing solar energy and using it strategically, homeowners can better control when and how they consume electricity. Timing your battery installation with these factors in mind can lead to more substantial long‑term savings and more predictable energy costs.
Get More Time‑of‑Use Savings with a Solar Battery — ELoR Energy Can Help
Adding a solar battery at the right time can significantly increase time‑of‑use (TOU) savings by letting you store solar power produced during lower‑cost hours and use it when utility rates spike in the late afternoon and evening. It’s often a smart move when peak pricing rises, peak hours shift later, or solar export credits drop—because keeping more of your solar energy for your own use can lower your reliance on expensive grid power. ELoR Energy can help you decide when a battery makes the most financial sense by reviewing your current utility rate plan, usage patterns, and solar production, then recommending a battery strategy that supports more substantial savings and better control over your energy costs. Contact us today at (858) 683-1181 or complete our online form to schedule your consultation.
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