Installing solar panels is one of the smartest ways to reduce your electricity bills and take greater control of your home’s energy. However, simply having a solar PV system isn’t enough – you’ll get the biggest return by using it as efficiently as possible.
At SolarTherm UK, we believe every solar installation is an investment. Whether your system is brand new or has been generating electricity for years, there are plenty of simple ways to maximise your savings and make every unit of solar energy work harder.
Here are our favourite money saving tips.
💰Make the Most of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
If your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is using, the surplus can be exported to the grid. Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), many UK energy suppliers will pay you for that exported electricity.
SEG rates vary between suppliers and tariffs, so it’s worth reviewing the market regularly to make sure you’re getting the best return for your exported energy.
💡 Top Tip
Some suppliers offer enhanced export rates when you also buy your electricity from them. If you’re reviewing your energy tariff, compare both your import and export rates rather than looking at them separately.
💰 Add a Solar Battery
One of the best upgrades you can make to an existing solar PV system is adding battery storage. Without a battery, any electricity you don’t use immediately is exported to the grid. With battery storage, that surplus energy is stored for later, allowing you to power your home during the evening with solar power, even when solar panels are no longer generating.
At SolarTherm UK, we design every system around your household’s electricity usage, lifestyle and future plans to ensure you get the best value from your investment.
💡 Top Tip
Many modern battery systems can charge using cheaper overnight electricity tariffs as well as solar power. Combined with a suitable energy tariff, this can help reduce your electricity costs even further.
💰Run High Energy Appliances During the Day
Whenever possible, use electricity while your solar panels are generating it. Appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers and heat pumps are all ideal candidates for daytime use. The more of your own electricity you use yourself (known as self-consumption), the less you’ll need to buy from the grid.
💡 Top Tip
Smart plugs and smart home automation make it easy to schedule appliances to run during peak solar production—even if you’re not at home.
💰 Keep Your Solar Panels Performing at Their Best
Solar panels require very little maintenance, but keeping them free from excessive dirt, leaves and heavy shading will help maintain optimum performance.
It’s also worth checking whether nearby trees have grown enough to begin casting shade over your roof.
If shading has become an issue, don’t assume you’ll need to replace your entire system.
💡 Top Tip
SolarEdge power optimisers can often improve performance on roofs affected by partial shading by allowing each panel to operate independently, rather than the whole string being limited by one shaded panel. Speak to SolarTherm UK to find out whether your existing system could benefit from an upgrade.
💰 Charge Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Energy
If you own an electric vehicle, charging it using your solar-generated electricity is one of the most effective ways to increase your savings.
Rather than buying electricity from the grid, your solar panels can help power your daily journeys using clean, renewable energy.
Pairing solar panels with a smart EV charger can also automatically prioritise surplus solar generation whenever it’s available.
💡 Top Tip
Many smart EV chargers include solar charging modes that maximise the use of your own generated electricity before importing power from the grid.
💰 Heat Your Water Using Free Solar Energy
If your property has a hot water cylinder, an immersion diverter can be a fantastic addition.
Instead of exporting unused solar electricity to the grid, the diverter automatically sends surplus energy to your immersion heater, giving you free hot water while making better use of your solar generation.
It’s a simple upgrade that can help reduce both electricity and gas usage throughout the year.
💰 Review Your Energy Tariff Every Year
Energy tariffs change regularly, and what was the best option a year ago may no longer offer the greatest savings.
Reviewing your import tariff, export tariff and battery charging options annually can make a noticeable difference to your overall energy costs.
If you’ve recently added battery storage or an EV charger, it’s worth checking whether there’s now a more suitable tariff available.
💡 Top Tip
The best tariff depends on how you use your electricity—not just who offers the highest export rate.
Small Changes Can Lead to Big Savings
Your solar panels are already helping reduce your energy bills, but a few simple adjustments can make your system work even harder.
Whether you’re considering battery storage, EV charging, an immersion diverter or simply want advice on getting the most from your existing system, the team at SolarTherm UK is here to help.
At SolarTherm UK we provide practical recommendations based on your energy usage and lifestyle patterns to homeowners across Essex, Kent, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and the wider South East and East Anglia.
Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free, no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice – and the time you need to make an informed decision.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A solar battery stores excess electricity generated during the day so you can use it in the evening instead of buying electricity from the grid. For many households, battery storage significantly increases the amount of solar energy they use themselves.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that pays eligible homeowners for surplus electricity exported from their solar PV system to the National Grid. Export rates vary between energy suppliers and tariffs.
Solar panels require very little maintenance. However, it’s worth checking them occasionally for excessive dirt, leaves or shading from nearby trees, as these can affect performance. If you notice a significant drop in generation, it’s worth having your system inspected.
Yes. Running appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers while your solar panels are generating electricity allows you to use more of your own renewable energy, helping to reduce your electricity bills.
Yes. Whether you’re looking to add battery storage, install an EV charger, fit an immersion diverter or improve performance with technologies such as SolarEdge power optimisers, SolarTherm UK can assess your existing system and recommend the most suitable upgrades.
