One of the primary reasons to switch to solar power is to save money on the expensive electricity bills, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work in many households. Many homeowners in Port Macquarie, Taree, Nambucca Heads, Coffs Harbour and the Newcastle region do not enjoy the full benefit of economic savings from solar energy.
The reason? Well, solar energy is free, but your savings directly depends on how well you use it. Making the most out of solar power is the only way to start seeing significant savings on your electricity bill.
What Is Solar Self-Consumption?
Solar self-consumption is a simple concept. It means you start using your solar energy production for all your energy needs in full potential from your rooftop solar panel system. It implies running all your appliances and devices during the day when your solar panel produces solar energy.
It also indicates maximum grid independence during the daylight hours. The less energy you draw from the grid, the more savings you make with solar power. For instance, as a rough calculation, every time you use your solar energy instead of drawing power from the grid, you save up to 20 to 30c. This is how solar self-consumption reduces your electricity bills.
The excess energy after running your appliances go to the grid, wherein you get some benefit from the feed-in tariff. However, count this as a benefit only if your electricity bills are low.
How Do You Increase Solar Self-Consumption?
Solar energy is free (excluding the capital investment), whereas buying from electricity providers is not. Therefore, by making the most use of it, you can also make up for the solar power investment costs in a few years.
Here are a few ways to help you maximise solar self-consumption and make solar savings.
1. Analyse Your Energy Usage
The key to improving your savings is to know about your energy usage pattern. You have to check your energy production and consumption rate. Using a smart meter is helpful for this analysis. It helps you track how much energy you use from the grid and your solar energy production.
To begin with, check how much energy you consume from the grid in a day and during which time your energy consumption is higher. Then, check how much energy your solar panel produces and whether it meets your needs at peak times. By analysing these details, you can change or find ways to consume your solar energy at its most.
2. Make Use of Your Appliances During the Daytime
Solar panels work during the day. It means you are generating solar power during the day. Therefore, by running your appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and other electrical appliances during the day, you are using your solar power. It also includes charging your gadgets, hot water system and gardening tools.
Even if you work somewhere during the daytime, use timers or check if your appliances have a delay start feature. In this way, you can avoid using grid energy at night. One more thing to take care of is to ensure your devices are off when not in use. It’s because electronic devices in standby mode can still consume power.
3. Install Solar Batteries
The best way to improve your solar self-consumption is to install a solar battery system. By installing solar batteries, you reduce your overall grid dependency. You can use the stored solar power at night and as a backup during power outages.
Ask your solar installers for more professional tips and guidance on maximum solar self-consumption. If you need any help regarding this, please reach out to us. We are happy to help you with anything solar.
