Path-Q Solar
How much can appliance efficiency improvements reduce the solar system I need?
Answer
Efficiency improvements can reduce the electricity that solar needs to offset, but the amount depends on the appliance's current and replacement consumption, operating hours, and whether the change affects peak or seasonal loads. Compare the energy savings with the cost and timing of the upgrade.
Key points
- Efficient appliances reduce demand before generation losses, exports, or storage losses are considered.
- The largest opportunities are usually appliances with high energy use or long operating hours.
- Efficiency may reduce the required system size, but it may also free roof capacity for future electrification.
What it depends on
- Current appliance consumption
- Replacement appliance specifications
- Operating frequency and user behavior
- Solar production and tariff structure
- Cost and useful life of the efficiency upgrade
Risks and trade-offs
- Replacing an appliance solely to reduce solar size may not be financially justified.
- Efficiency estimates may not match actual behavior.
- Reducing current demand can leave less load for direct solar use, depending on timing.
Information you may need
- Current appliance models and measured or estimated use
- Replacement specifications and cost
- Operating schedules
- Planned electrification loads
- Solar quote with and without the efficiency changes
Your next step
What to do next
Compare the cost of each efficiency measure with the avoided solar capacity and energy cost, while retaining a forecast for planned future loads.
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