Solar Power - How Does Usage and Charge Work?

LCantonasKungFuKick on 21/11/2017 - 19:07
Last edited 21/11/2017 - 20:22 by 1 other user

Coming from a land much colder this solar is a little bit confusing.

I've asked origin to explain bit each person tells me something different.. What I'd like to understand is how it works.

Does the power created from my solar all go back to the grid and then totalled up along with my usage. Then the difference is my bill?

Or does whatever I use in the day use the power created by the solar and what's left over goes back to the grid. Once the sun goes down my usage is then the grid?

Any clarity much appreciated!

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  psyren89 on 21/11/2017 - 19:15

  +5

  Assuming you don't have a battery storage system:
  Your immediate usage is drawn from what the panels generate, with any excess going back to the grid, and any deficit being drawn from the grid.
  At night, all usage is drawn from the grid.

  Any excess generated by the panels is credited to you at a much lower rate than the unit price you're normally charged.

  Given the above, it is much more cost effective to use power while your panels producing.

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  wei13 on 21/11/2017 - 19:16

  Unless you have batteries, your last paragraph is correct. What's leftover goes to the grid and what's deficient comes from the grid.

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  CantonasKungFuKick on 21/11/2017 - 19:21

  Ok great.. But, I get 55c pet unit for my solar yet only pay 36.75/19.25 (peak/controlled load). so based off that, wouldn't it be better to not use any power in the day and run stuff at night, ie washing machine, dishwasher?

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    Euphemistic on 21/11/2017 - 21:07

    +2

    Correct, I was on a similar deal. If it is like that you export everything you can from solar and use as little as possible in the day and run dishwasher etc at night as much as possible.

    Now they’ve changed our deal to 12c for exports I try to use what I generate while the sun is shining and minimise extras during the dark hours.

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  CantonasKungFuKick on 22/11/2017 - 00:00

  Thanks all for clarifying!