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I had a solar system installed last year. During the day, from around 8am til around 5pm we are "off grid" in the sense that we can generate more than we use.
by bruce511 3y ago
I had a solar system installed last year. During the day, from around 8am til around 5pm we are "off grid" in the sense that we can generate more than we use.
I've already switched hot water and pool pump to daytime rather than night. The dishwasher now runs in the morning, not after dinner. Washing and drying, Aircon/ heating mostly happened during the day anyway.
Overall our use of grid power has dropped to 20%, and I think we can get it down to 10% (at least I summer time.)
So yes, in the sense that the daytime cost is now a -lot- cheaper (think free) I'm seeing how we are heavily incentivised to change our usage patterns.
- anthomtb 3y agoI moved to a house with a solar system in October. I now make a point to run the dishwasher and dryer during day time hours. And avoid using the dryer on cloudy days. It doesn't really matter when I run these appliances. Between fixed rate electricity and net metering, the cost will be the same even if they run at night. But I get weird satisfaction knowing that the sun is providing the power.
- guerby 3y agoAnd don't forget the ultimate flexible load: electric vehicles. In 2023 near half of my (relatively well insulated all electric home) energy use was charging my EV at home.
- anthomtb 3y agoThat's in the game plan for 2024, no question. My new home came at the cost of doubling my commute distance. An EV charged by my own rooftop would be better for both the planet and my own bottom line. Edit: Any chance you're in the US? If so, what EV are you driving?
- guerby 3y agoI'm in the south of France, owning a Tesla Model 3 since 2019 now with 104k km on the odometer (152 Wh/km average). Before that it was a Renault Twingo v1 2006 model.