Path-Q Solar

Would shifting electricity use into daylight save more money than installing additional panels?

Answer

It can, particularly when exported solar is worth less than electricity avoided through direct use, but the result depends on the amount and timing of flexible demand, panel output, and import-export valuation. Compare the bill value of shifting existing loads with the incremental cost and value of additional generation.

Key points

  • Daylight operation can increase self-consumption without adding generation equipment.
  • Useful flexible loads may include water heating, vehicle charging, laundry, or other schedulable demand.
  • Additional panels can still help if they displace valuable imports or provide useful production at other times.
  • Automation, thermal storage, or behavioral changes may be needed to shift loads consistently.

What it depends on

  • Hourly solar production
  • Flexible load size and timing
  • Import and export compensation
  • Cost of controls or storage
  • Incremental panel and installation cost

Risks and trade-offs

  • Manual load shifting may be inconvenient or inconsistent.
  • Shifting use can increase demand during another peak period if not controlled carefully.
  • Additional panels may create more low-value exports and increase upfront cost.

Information you may need

  • Interval electricity data
  • Flexible appliance and vehicle loads
  • Solar production by hour
  • Current and applicable import-export valuation

Your next step

What to do next

Model the annual bill impact of load shifting alone, additional panels alone, and both together using hourly or interval data.

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