Winning Under Time-of-Use Tariffs
Time-of-use tariffs are reshaping how households manage their energy costs, making strategic solar storage dispatch more important than ever. This article explores threshold-based dispatch strategies that help maximize savings when electricity prices vary throughout the day. Industry experts share practical approaches to programming battery systems for optimal performance under these pricing structures.
Use Threshold-Based Solar Storage Dispatch
We implemented a solar plus storage solution with a price responsive controller that continuously compared grid tariffs to the marginal cost of stored solar energy. Once the grid crossed the break even point, the battery discharged automatically to supply the plant. This threshold-driven switching kept throughput intact while replacing costly grid energy with solar.
Pre-Cool Rooms Then Hold Comfort
Pre-cooling turns the building into a thermal battery that stores cool air before high price hours. A smart thermostat can lower the temperature in the late morning or early afternoon, then let the temperature glide during the peak window. Closing blinds and running ceiling fans helps hold comfort with less compressor run time.
Sealing drafts and tuning dampers keeps the cool where it is needed most. Tracking indoor humidity keeps comfort steady even as the setpoint rises later. Set a pre-cooling schedule and tighten your building envelope today.
Enroll in Profitable Demand Response Programs
Demand response programs pay customers to reduce use during short events on tight grid days. Smart thermostats, batteries, or controllable plugs can lower load for an hour or two and earn bill credits. Programs vary in event count, notice time, and override rules, so picking the right one protects comfort.
Using automation ensures savings even when no one is watching the clock. Checking the payout rate helps confirm the credit beats the effort. Enroll in a demand response program with your utility today.
Match Rate Plan to Usage Patterns
Picking the right time-of-use plan starts with knowing when power is used across the day and week. Smart meter data or a simple log can show if most use lands midday, evening, or overnight. Bill calculators from utilities can model costs under several rate plans before any switch.
Homes with midday solar or daytime occupancy may thrive on plans with low daytime prices, while night owls may favor wide super off-peak windows. Heat pumps and EVs can shift the best plan by season and by hour. Pull your usage data and test a few plans this week.
Set Super Off-Peak EV Refill
Charging an electric car in super off-peak hours taps the cheapest and cleanest power windows. Vehicle and charger apps can set start and stop times so charging never spills into peak hours. Preheating or precooling the car can happen near the end of the charge while prices are still low.
Arriving home does not need instant charging if the battery has enough for the next trip. Slower charging at lower amps can fit the full refill inside the super off-peak block. Set your EV’s scheduled charging and departure time today.
Run Heavy Tasks at Low Tariffs
Shifting heavy tasks to off-peak hours cuts both energy cost and peak demand. Laundry, dishwashing, and pool pumping can use delay starts or simple timers to run late at night or early morning. Water heaters with controls can heat the tank before prices rise and coast through the peak.
Staggering these jobs avoids stacking load at one time. A simple household or workplace routine reinforces the habit every day. Set timers and delay starts for tonight’s cycle.