You won’t always use all the electricity your solar panels generate.
There may be times when your system generates more electricity than your property needs, or you may simply use less electricity during the daytime when your panels are producing the most energy.
At Menai, we aim to recommend a solar PV system that is appropriately sized around your property’s energy usage and requirements. However, even with a well-designed system, there are likely to be times when you generate more electricity than you’re using.
So, what happens to the excess?
First: Make the Most of Your Solar Generation
One of the simplest ways to get more from your solar panels is to use more of the electricity while it’s being generated.
Where practical, we advise customers to consider shifting higher-consumption activities to daylight hours. This could mean running your washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer, or charging an EV, while your panels are generating electricity.
By matching more of your electricity use with your solar generation, you can increase your self-consumption and reduce the amount of electricity you need to import from the grid.
What If You Have a Battery?
If you have battery storage, surplus solar electricity can be used to charge your battery rather than being immediately exported.
The stored electricity can then be used later when your solar panels aren’t generating enough to meet your needs, such as during the evening.
Depending on how your system is configured, once your home’s immediate electricity needs have been met and your battery is charged, any remaining surplus electricity will then be exported to the grid.
What Happens When Electricity Is Exported?
If your home isn’t using the electricity and there’s nowhere available to store it, surplus solar generation can be exported to the electricity grid.
And this is where it’s important to understand Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.
If you’re eligible and have an export tariff set up with an energy supplier, you can be paid for the electricity you export.
Export payments don’t usually start automatically simply because you have solar panels installed. You’ll need to apply to an SEG/export tariff provider and meet their requirements.
At Menai, we provide customers with the relevant documentation for their solar installation, but you’ll need to apply for your chosen export tariff directly with the energy supplier.
Getting More From the Electricity You Generate
A well-designed solar system isn’t just about generating as much electricity as possible. It’s also about making good use of the electricity you generate.
That can mean choosing an appropriately sized system, adjusting when you use electricity, using battery storage where suitable, and making sure you have an export tariff in place for electricity that ultimately goes back to the grid.
Want to know more about getting paid for the electricity you export? Read our guide to Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments.
