Path-Q Solar

What happens to solar savings if I expect to work from home less often later?

Answer

Savings may decrease if reduced work-from-home time lowers daytime electricity use, especially where exported solar energy is worth less than energy used directly in the home. The effect depends on the future load profile, system size, storage, and the applicable bill structure.

Key points

  • Reduced daytime consumption can increase exports and decrease self-consumption.
  • Annual solar production does not necessarily change when your schedule changes.
  • Load shifting, such as running flexible appliances during sunny hours, can partly offset the change.

What it depends on

  • Expected future work schedule
  • Daytime versus evening household demand
  • Battery availability and operating strategy
  • Applicable export compensation and bill rules

Risks and trade-offs

  • Sizing for temporary high daytime use can leave the system oversized later.
  • A smaller system may reduce future excess production but provide less coverage if work-from-home use continues.

Information you may need

  • Expected timing and certainty of the work-schedule change
  • Current interval or time-of-use consumption if available
  • Future major loads such as an EV or heat pump

Your next step

What to do next

Ask for production and savings estimates under both the current and expected future load profiles, rather than using only today's daytime consumption.

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