As energy prices continue to fluctuate across the UK, homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to cut costs and maximise the value of their solar panel and battery storage system. One strategy growing in popularity is charging your solar battery using cheaper electricity rates during off peak sessions. For households with a battery storage system, especially when paired with solar panels, this simple change in energy behaviour can unlock substantial financial and environmental benefits.
At SolarTherm UK, we help homeowners make the most of their energy systems. Here’s why using time of use tariffs can be a smart addition to your home energy strategy.
Lower Your Energy Bills All Year Round
Many energy suppliers offer time of use tariffs, where electricity is significantly cheaper during off peak hours – often late at night or early in the morning. By charging your solar battery when rates are lowest you can:
- Store cheap electricity overnight
- Use it during the day when prices are higher
- Reduce your reliance on grid power during expensive peak times
This approach keeps your home powered with low cost energy even when the sun isn’t shining.
Maximise the Value of Your Solar Panels
Solar panels naturally produce more energy during summer months, often leaving households with excess electricity that goes unused. In winter, the opposite is true, as demand rises, generation drops due to the shorter days and poorer weather.
Off peak charging helps balance this seasonal difference by:
- Supplementing your solar generation during low sun months
- Ensuring your battery remains full even on cloudy or short winter days
- Keeping your home powered by cheaper, cleaner energy year round
Combined with solar, off peak charging creates a more consistent and predictable energy supply.
Reduce Peak Time Grid Dependency
Peak time energy prices are elevated because demand on the grid is higher. By using stored off-peak or solar energy during these expensive periods, you reduce your reliance on the grid when electricity is at its most costly and carbon intensive. This not only saves money but also supports a more stable and sustainable national energy system.
Increase the Lifespan of Your Battery System
Modern batteries are designed to handle frequent charging and discharging, but how you use them can influence their long term performance. Charging during off peak times, when the battery is naturally less active, can:
- Promote more consistent charge cycles
- Reduce unnecessary strain on your system
- Improve overall system longevity
This helps your battery deliver reliable performance for its entire lifespan.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Resilience
A charged battery means your home has a ready supply of energy, which is particularly useful during:
- Power cuts
- High demand winter periods
- Sudden price spikes
- Extreme weather events
Charging overnight ensures you start each day with a full battery, giving you greater control and resilience, whatever the grid is doing.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Off peak times often coincide with periods when the UK grid uses more renewable energy sources such as wind power.
By charging your battery when the grid is cleaner, and using stored renewable or low carbon energy later, you can significantly reduce your household’s carbon footprint. Combine this with solar and you’re using some of the greenest energy available.
Make the Most of Smart Tariffs and Technology
With smart meters and intelligent battery systems, off peak charging can be completely automated. Many modern chargers and inverters allow you to set custom charging windows, letting you optimise your charging for the cheapest tariff times. Using smart technology lets you track electricity costs in real time, letting you see when you are importing electricity and when you are using your solar electricity or battery stored power.
At SolarTherm UK, we can help you configure your battery for maximum efficiency and savings.
Smart Charging = Bigger Savings
Charging your solar battery using off peak rates is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce your energy bills, increase the value of your solar system and boost your home’s energy independence. Learning your energy habits and when to charge and discharge your battery will help you maximise your returns and shorten your payback period.
If you’re looking to add solar battery storage to an existing solar PV system or are looking to start from scratch, SolarTherm UK is here to help. Contact us 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.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
FAQs
What is off-peak charging?
Off-peak charging means topping up your solar battery during times when electricity prices are lower, usually overnight.
Will off-peak charging save me money?
Yes. By charging your battery when rates are cheapest, you can use stored energy during expensive peak hours, reducing your overall bills.
Does off-peak charging work with solar panels?
Absolutely. It complements your solar generation by ensuring your battery stays full even on cloudy or low-sun days.
Is off-peak charging bad for my battery?
No. Modern batteries are designed for frequent cycling, and consistent off-peak charging can even support long-term performance.
Do I need a special tariff to benefit?
You’ll get the most savings with a time-of-use tariff that offers cheaper off-peak rates. Many UK suppliers now provide these options.
