Advice on improving self use for solar energy generated?

EnergyBuildingsFood

Hi there, I've been thinking about solar panels, day/night tariffs and maximsing self use. Any tips on how we can improve self use of solar energy, especially for appliances and EV charging -- rather than importing from the grid. Any one here that has done this well? Happy to connect offline if easier. 

tim_p

Do you already have panels, if so what output do they generate?

Robin9

Small instal of 2.4Kw last Summer. North/East facing

Exported 1200 Kwh ; estimated saving 500Kwh


There's always someone at home in our house.  We try to use washing machine / dishwasher  during the day

onomatopoeia99

I have panels and a battery so don't really think about demand shifting to daytime use.  If it looks like the battery will fill I might do a load of washing in the morning so I can run the tumble from electricity that would otherwise be exported when the battery is full, but that's about it.

ka7e

I have a similar-sized set-up, though S-facing. I stagger usage during the day, only one appliance on at a time. Cook main meal at lunch-time if possible, or use slow cooker.  Batch cook and freeze extra portions. Defrost meals when possible, rather than cook from frozen.

I don't have an EV but use the vacuum cleaner, lawnmower and power tools when the sun shines!

NedS

We have a 3.6kWp array, are home all day and in summer we struggle to use 1/3rd of what we generate, with 2/3rds exported to the grid.

The easiest way you can use more of what you generate is to store it for later use. The most obvious ways being battery storage, or by heating hot water through a solar diverter.

In winter it's less of an issue as generation barely covers our background usage, so on many days there is no export.

Reed_Richards

If you get a tariff that allows you to charge an EV cheaply at night at around 7p per kWh and you manage to get a good rate of payment for your exported electricity (e.g. 15p per kWh from Octopus) then you could find that rather than maximising your self-use you would want to maximise your overnight use and maximise your export! 

cash-magnet

I'd like to add my congratulations on getting solar pv even on a NE facing setup. I had no choice in my panel locations and am in the same position as you. At peak summer the sun rises stright onto the panels and continues to hit until midday after which time it's just the background light providing any output from the panels but there's still a small amount of power which all helps.

My setup uses a 3 day battery bank and is topped up at night using an off-peak night tariff. Works great for me.