Solar Energy Providers Shares How to Lower Energy Costs with Solar Panels

Embracing solar power offers benefits beyond just environmental conservation. It's a potent means of enhancing your financial savings through various avenues. The most apparent method of saving money is by curbing your electricity expenses from the local utility provider.

When considering an investment in solar panels, it's important to consider its long-term benefits. While immediate savings might be noticeable, the accumulation of savings typically becomes more pronounced over the years. 

In this blog, we'll look at the strategies solar energy providers share to help you make the most of your solar investment.

Panel Placement Is the Key To Efficient Solar Harvesting

When we talk about the solar panel's direction, we mean the direction they point: north, south, east, or west. Instead of lining up with the magnetic poles, solar panels are usually positioned according to the true direction. For instance, true north lines up with the Earth's real axis, not the north pole.

Solar panels facing directly east or west will generate approximately 20% less energy. For homes located above the equator, the optimal orientation is true south. Conversely, for homes situated below the equator, the preferred direction is true north. This configuration ensures that your solar panels receive an extended duration of sunlight, maximizing their electricity production potential.

Search online for your home's latitude or zip code to determine the best solar panel angle. Generally, the best angle will be similar to your latitude. However, this angle changes during the year.

During summer, the sun is higher. In winter, it's lower. So, to get the most energy from your panels, you need to adjust the tilt. In summer, tilt the panels 15 degrees less than your latitude. In winter, tilt them 15 degrees more.

Most home solar panels are set at a fixed angle on the roof, posing difficulties in adjusting their tilt for different seasons. Although certain expensive systems can track the sun and modify their angle over time, the augmented panel output they provide may not consistently warrant the extra cost.

Synchronize Energy Consumption with Solar Production

Many electric companies started using Time-of-Use Rates (TOU) in the early 2010s. But even after over ten years, many homeowners still don't know how much it can change their monthly energy bills.

Time-of-Use (TOU) rates are a flexible plan for paying for electricity. It changes how much you pay depending on when it is in the day and the time of year, which helps match the power grid's needs. More and more electric companies are offering this to homeowners. They encourage people to use more electricity when it's not super busy to avoid paying a lot when it is busy.

Can solar panels decrease my utility bill with TOU rates? The answer is YES. Solar panels at home can significantly reduce your electricity expenses, even if you're on a time-of-use rate plan from your utility provider. Solar panels can impact your bill in two main ways:

Using Net Metering With TOU Rates

First, if your utility offers net metering, you get credit for producing extra electricity at the same price as the retail electricity rate at that time. This credit is subtracted from the cost of electricity you use from the grid when your panels aren't generating power.

You can size your solar system to cover all your electricity usage through net metering and sometimes even pay a small utility fee.

In other cases, there might be some additional electricity charges if the value of the energy you send to the grid doesn't outweigh the cost of what you take from it.

Using Battery Storage With TOU Rates

Not everyone has access to net metering, making battery storage valuable for avoiding TOU rates and cutting down energy expenses. Under this system, storing and using your own electricity is smarter than exporting it to the grid. This is where battery storage becomes important. With a battery, you can largely forget peak and off-peak times because you won't need much or any electricity from the grid.

Harnessing Solar Battery Storage for Consistent Energy Supply

Solar battery storage systems have emerged as a sustainable energy solution. It allows homeowners to store excess solar energy generated during sunny days for use during nighttime or cloudy periods. 

Integrating a solar battery storage system into your setup can reduce your dependence on the grid even further. During peak production, the excess energy is stored in the battery, and when the sun isn't shining, you can tap into this stored energy to power your home. This innovative solution enhances energy independence and provides a consistent power supply, irrespective of weather conditions.

Monitoring and Maintenance for Optimal Performance

Solar panels require regular monitoring and maintenance to work at peak efficiency like any other technology. Solar energy providers advise homeowners to schedule routine inspections to identify issues or inefficiencies. 

Additionally, keeping your solar panels clean is crucial in maintaining their performance. Dust, dirt, and debris can stick on the panels and block sunlight, reducing their energy-generating capacity. Regularly cleaning your panels with water and a soft brush can help prevent this issue.

Real-Time Monitoring Apps: Tracking Solar Production and Energy Consumption

Various monitoring apps and tools have been developed to empower homeowners with real-time insights into their solar energy production and consumption. These apps allow you to monitor your solar system's performance remotely, providing you with data on how much energy your panels are generating and how much you're consuming. 

This information can be invaluable in adjusting your energy consumption habits to optimize your savings. You can make wise decisions that align with your financial and environmental goals.

Examples are:

• Energy Monitoring & Analysis App (EMA)
• MySolarEdge Monitoring App
• Enphase Enlighten App
• Fronius Solar.Web App
• SMA Sunny Portal App