How Time-of-Use Savings Make Solar Even Smarter

Understanding TOU Rates

With TOU pricing, the cost per kilowatt-hour changes depending on when you use electricity. Rates are highest during late afternoons and early evenings when demand peaks, and lowest during periods of lighter use, such as overnight or early mornings.

Without solar, most households have little control over when they pull energy from the grid. With solar, you can offset your highest-cost usage by producing your own power during the day. If you add a battery, you can store excess solar energy and use it during peak hours instead of buying expensive grid electricity.

How Solar and TOU Work Together

During sunny hours, your solar system powers your home directly. Any extra energy can be stored in a battery or sent to the grid for credit if your utility offers net metering. Later, when rates increase, you can draw from stored solar energy rather than paying the higher peak price.

This approach can significantly reduce your bill, especially in areas where peak rates are much higher than off-peak rates.

Smarter Energy Management

Today’s solar systems can be paired with advanced controls that automatically shift your usage to times when electricity is cheaper. You can schedule high-energy tasks like laundry, dishwashing, or EV charging during off-peak hours, while relying on stored solar energy during peak pricing periods.

Savings Over Time

When you combine solar with a TOU plan, your savings can grow year after year. Adding a battery can maximize those savings by giving you greater control over when you use your solar power.

Supporting a Stronger Grid

Reducing peak demand is good for the environment too. By shifting your usage away from peak hours, you help reduce strain on the grid, lower the need for fossil-fuel-based backup plants, and support a cleaner energy mix.

How Greenway Solar Designs for TOU

We build every system with your utility’s rate structure in mind. If you are on a TOU plan, we will size your solar and recommend storage solutions that fit your usage patterns. We also help you track and adjust your energy habits so you get the best value from your system.

The Takeaway

If your utility uses Time-of-Use rates, going solar can be even more rewarding. Greenway Solar can help you design a system that works with your schedule, keeps your costs down, and delivers long-term energy independence.

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