With energy prices remaining unpredictable, more homeowners across the South East are asking whether a time of use electricity tariff could help reduce their bills. If you already have – or are considering – a solar PV system with battery storage, a time of use tariff could significantly increase your savings and reduce your payback period.
At SolarTherm UK, we regularly advise customers on how the right energy tariff, combined with solar panels and battery storage, can dramatically cut grid reliance and energy costs.
What Is a Time of Use Tariff?
A time of use tariff charges different electricity rates depending on the time of day. Off peak periods (usually overnight) offer cheaper electricity while peak demand periods (typically late afternoon and early evening) result in higher prices. Unlike standard tariffs where electricity costs the same all day, time of use tariffs reward households that can shift usage to cheaper, lower demand periods.
Types of Time of Use Tariffs
Static Time of Use Tariffs
Static tariffs offer fixed off peak hours every day. Economy 7 is the most common providing 7 hours of cheaper overnight electricity. These tariffs were originally designed for households with storage heaters, but are now increasingly becoming more popular for homeowners with home battery storage, electric vehicles and solar PV systems.
Smart Time of Use Tariffs
Smart tariffs use half hourly pricing, enabled by smart meters. Electricity prices change throughout the day based on demand and supply. Octopus Agile is a popular example of this, which when paired with automation of battery storage, can provide you with a smart, money saving energy system.
With battery storage, you can store electricity when it’s at it’s cheapest (or free from your solar generation) and use it later when prices are at their highest.
Why Are Smart Tariffs Becoming More Popular?
Smart time of use tariffs are growing fast because they:
- Align with renewable energy generation
- Encourage off peak electricity use
- Reduce strain on the National Grid
- Help lower household energy bills
In the South East where solar generation is strong, pairing a smart tariff with a solar PV system makes even more sense.
Is Electricity Cheaper at Night?
In most cases yes, when you are on a time of use tariff. Time of use tariffs offer their lowest rates overnight, making them ideal for charging home battery storage and charging your EV. If you’re on a standard tariff, electricity costs the same regardless of when you use it, meaning you could be missing out on potential savings. Time of use tariffs can drop the import rate as low as 6p per kWh during off peak periods.
How Much Can You Save with a Time of Use Tariff?
Savings vary depending on how flexible your energy use is. You’re likely to save the most if you use electricity during off peak hours and own a solar battery. Battery storage allows you to charge your battery overnight on cheap rates, and use it during peak hours. With a solar PV system and battery, flexibility becomes easier – the system does the work for you automatically.
Solar Panels, Battery Storage and Time of Use Tariffs
This is where time of use tariffs really shine. A typical setup in the South East might:
- Generate solar energy during the day
- Store surplus electricity in a battery
- Charge the battery cheaply overnight
- Use stored energy during expensive evening peak times
- Export excess electricity when export rates are highest
This approach can dramatically reduce grid imports and maximise your return on investment.
Carbon Savings: Why Timing Matters
Switching to a time of use tariff doesn’t just save money – it also reduces carbon emissions. Peak demand often relies on gas fired generation and off peak periods typically use more renewables. Solar and battery systems reduce reliance on fossil fuels altogether. By combining solar panels, battery storage and a smart tariff, you are actively supporting a cleaner, more efficient energy grid.
Should You Switch to a Smart Tariff?
A smart time of use tariff is worth considering if you:
- Live in the South East
- Have or plan to install solar panels
- Have battery storage or an EV
- Can shift electricity use outside peak hours
If your energy use is fixed and you don’t plan to add storage or EV charging, the benefits may be more limited.
How to Check If a Time of Use Tariff Is Right for You
- Review your energy usage: check when you use the most electricity
- Assess your flexibility: a home battery dramatically improves tariff savings
- Compare tariffs using real data: some suppliers allow half hourly data uploads to estimate savings
- Consider carbon reduction: cleaner energy use is a growing priority for many households
Expert Advice from SolarTherm UK
At SolarTherm UK, we don’t just install solar PV systems – we help homeowners across the South East design complete energy solutions, including battery storage and tariff optimisation. If you’re considering solar or want to make better use of your existing system, a time of use tariff could unlock significant savings.
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. We’ll show you the potential of your designed system with different tariffs.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
