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Buy now, pay later interest freeWhat You Can Do with Surplus Solar Energy
Solar
Published date: 29 July 2024 / Read time: 5 mins
What You Can Do with Surplus Solar Energy
Solar PV can generate an increasing amount of energy, offering an excess for many homeowners. Yet, it's knowing what to do with this energy that’s most important if you’re to get the very best from this benefit.
Making the most of your excess solar energy can pay dividends both in the short term and long term by cutting energy bills and gradually reducing grid reliance.
Here, the Energy Efficiency team at City Plumbing shows you what you can do with surplus solar energy, helping you to maximise this fantastic free energy opportunity.
What Do We Mean By Surplus Energy?
Surplus energy simply means extra energy that your solar PV produces but which is not consumed or used by your property. It may not be used because it’s not needed, but it’s therefore referred to as surplus energy.
Where Does Surplus Energy Go?
Surplus energy that isn’t used by your property will be fed back into the grid. The UK’s electrical grid is maintained by National Grid, who have the responsibility of transmitting and distributing electricity to UK homes and businesses.
Can My Surplus Solar Energy Be Sold Back To The Grid?
Net metering is the process that allows UK residents to sell back any surplus electricity to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Though there are a few statutory requirements for applying to this scheme, typically UK residents who have solar PV panels can look to earn money from their excess solar energy.
Several big energy suppliers offer tariffs that pay for surplus energy that is generated but unused and instead put back into the grid. Yet, it’s always best practice to shop around and get
Can My Surplus Solar Energy Be Stored For Use Later?
As well as selling your surplus energy back to the grid, there are several other options worth considering. By covering all your options beforehand, you can be sure you’re using your excess solar PV to its fullest.
The many options available when taking advantage of surplus energy include battery cell storage, utilising solar diverts, charging electric vehicles and using your appliances more throughout the day to capitalise on this fanatic energy source.
How Can I Best Use Surplus Solar Energy?
By installing solar PV, homeowners can work towards the goal of creating a superb renewable energy system that allows you to use your own energy. Yet, the more you work on using your own energy source the more you’ll become aware of the best ways to utilise such energy. Ultimately, this will help you begin to move away from relying on the grid while helping greatly to reduce your energy bills as you do.
- Use Solar Diverters
Solar diverters work by taking your unused solar energy and diverting it to electrical appliances. A solar diverter is commonly used as a way of storing surplus energy in the water and is, therefore, typically used for hot water in immersion heaters. The result is a reduction in the cost of fuelling your hot water tank, with some homes even finding they get free hot water as a result.
- Use Battery Cells
Batteries offer storage space for surplus solar energy, and having several lets you use this energy throughout evening hours. Battery cells are also a practical addition when your energy input has been and hasn’t met your demand that day, for example, during the winter.
Many homeowners who use solar PV tend to find they revert to using the grid when they lose the sunlight, so having a good supply of batteries can help reduce this reliance, even eliminating it altogether in some instances.
- Charge Your Electric Vehicles
Using the energy from your solar PV to charge any electric vehicles you own can greatly help make good use of any surplus energy. Charging your vehicle during the day is ideal for this purpose and can help save time and indeed money, as it prevents you from having to stop to recharge when out and about.
- Set Timers on Your Appliances
For UK homes who rely solely on the grid, the evenings are the best times to run most domestic appliances to capitalise on those lower rate tariffs. Yet this isn't always the most practical of time, especially with more of us now working from our homes during the day.
Yet, when you have solar PV, you can use the surplus energy you generate to power these devices throughout the day instead. Better still, you can look to set up as many devices as you can during the daytime to take advantage of this benefit, like dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryer appliances.
Run Your Home More Efficiently Using Solar PV Energy
There are many great advantages to using solar PV and storing the excess energy for later use. With some good planning beforehand, you can create a more energy-efficient home all around step by step, reducing that reliance on the grid. So, whether you choose to sell or use your surplus solar energy, solar PV gives you the choice to make the best decisions for your home’s needs.
If you're looking to make the change, contact our Renewables Team at City Plumbing. Experts in the latest energy-efficient technologies, we're perfectly placed to help homes and businesses make the smooth transition to renewable technology.
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