SOLAR PANELS: MAXIMISING YOUR SAVINGS

 

Your home is equipped with solar panels, providing a valuable opportunity to reduce your electricity costs. The amount you save depends on how much energy your panels generate and how efficiently you use it. While solar panels still produce some electricity on cloudy days, you can maximise your savings by using major appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers and electric ovens, during daylight hours when the sun is shining.

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In addition to the direct savings from using solar-generated electricity, you can also benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee. This program allows you to sell any unused electricity that your solar panels generate, back to an energy provider of your choice. You don't have to use your current electricity supplier, so compare rates and find the best deal.

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How to Apply for the Smart Export Guarantee

To enrol in the Smart Export Guarantee, your chosen utility company may require two documents:

a) A letter from Western Power

b) An MCS Certificate

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If needed, simply contact us to request these documents and then submit them to your utility provider to start earning from your excess energy.

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Example of Potential Savings

Let's say your solar panels generate 3,000 units of electricity over a specific period and you use 50% of that energy while exporting the remaining 50% to a utility company.

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a) If electricity costs 40p per unit, the total value of the energy generated is:

                                           3,000 units x 40p = £1,200

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b) Since you have used half of the generated electricity, your electricity bill is:

                                                    reduced by £600

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c) If you utility company pays 15p per unit for excess energy, you will earn:

                                             1,500 units x 15p = £225

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d) Total savings in this example:  £600 (energy used) + £225 (energy sold) = £825!

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By making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can significantly lower your electricity costs while making the most of your home's renewable energy system.

UTILITIES

(GAS, ELECTRICITY & WATER)

TIPS

You can change your gas and electricity supplier, but not your water company.

 

If changing utility companies do this well before the start of your tenancy, otherwise the existing supplier will consider you are on a 'deemed contract' and start to bill you.

 

Dual-fuel discounts i.e. the same company supplying both gas and electricity usually offer the best deals. 

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Your house is fitted with solar panels. Utility companies will pay you for the excess electricity you do not use. With solar panels you could make substantial savings on your electricity bills, particular if you use appliances during day light hours.

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Recommend all your names are on the utility accounts, as they will not usually discuss anything with people not named on accounts.