Did you know that with more residential solar being installed, it is proving more difficult to get electricity distributor approval for residential solar systems to export surplus energy to the grid? Some distributors are not accepting any energy being fed back into the grid, restricting it to a level lower than the system can produce.
cr : Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels
This could mean some homeowners' proposed solar PV systems may need to be reduced in size, or will need an export limited meter installed, resulting in reduced or no feed-in-tariff (FiT). Not getting a feed-in-tariff could extend the payback period on your solar system.
Add to that, some retailers are reducing their FiT from 12c to 10.5c from 1 July 2020.
If you’re thinking about solar, we recommend installing sooner rather than later to take advantage of distributor approval before they implement restrictions, if they haven’t already!
If you are facing limited export and/or reducing FiT, what does this mean for you? Batteries may start to look more attractive from an economic perspective. Store any excess energy produced by your solar system instead of exporting it back into the grid. Then you can use it in the morning before the sun is up high enough to hit those panels, in the afternoon when it is too low and in the evening. Prices are coming down and new technology is hitting the market often.
If you work from home or are home during the day, most of your solar energy should be used as it is produced. This is ideal scenario that produces optimum results, reducing your payback period as well as your electricity bill. Ensure your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, pool pump, air conditioner, heater and anything else that uses electricity is on during sunny days from 11am to 2pm. Try to schedule them in according to the weather forecast over the week.
Talk to us today to find out where your electricity distributor stands. eko energy always obtains distributor approval before installing your solar system so you will know up front what size system you can get before proceeding with the sale and get clarity over how much you could be saving!