What Can You Do With Surplus Solar Energy?

One of the many advantages of solar PV is the increased amount of energy it’s able to regularly generate. With so many benefits of using solar, this renewable energy can pay off greatly by cutting energy bills both short-term and indeed long-term while helping reduce our reliance on the grid.

Unfortunately, some homeowners aren't aware of the many ways that the surplus of energy created by solar can be utilised. As a result, much of this excessive energy created for free is often a wasted opportunity. 

Here, the Energy Efficiency team at City Plumbing looks at just what you can do with surplus solar energy.

What Does Surplus Energy Mean?

Surplus energy is simply energy that’s produced by your solar PV but not consumed by your property. If this energy is not needed and therefore not used, it’s then considered surplus.

Where Does Excess Solar Energy Go?

Any surplus energy that you don't use is fed back into the grid. National Grid is the UK’s electrical grid that is responsible for transmitting and distributing electricity to homes and businesses.

Can You Sell Solar Energy Back to the Grid?

In the UK, residents with solar PV panels may be able to earn money from their surplus solar energy. The SEG scheme, that is Smart Export Guarantee, offers a tariff that will pay you for every unit of electricity that you don’t use but instead feed back into the grid. 

There are a few requirements when applying for the SEG scheme, but typically you'll need a smart meter, and be able to show proof that your installation and installer of your solar products were MCS certified or equivalent. 

When selling surplus solar energy, the energy regulator of Great Britain, Ofgem, provides an updated supplier list detailing which energy suppliers have SEG licences. This includes the big energy companies such as British Gas, Scottish Power, and E.ON, to name a few. 

Yet, it pays to shop around for the best deal and consider not only which energy companies pay for solar but also what rates and indeed energy packages they offer for those with solar PV installed. 

Can Surplus Solar Energy Be Stored for Later Use?

Before you consider selling surplus solar energy it’s worthwhile looking at several other means of using this excess beforehand. There are several possibilities available here that ensure you’re using the energy from your solar PV to its fullest. These include charging electric vehicles, storing it in battery cells, utilising a solar diverter, and finally using appliances during the day to make the most of this energy source. 

How to Use Surplus Solar Electricity

One of the biggest benefits of installing solar PV is creating a renewable energy system that lets you create and consume your own energy. In time, as you become more aware of using such energy to your advantage you create the potential to move further and further away from the grid - all the while reducing your energy bills greatly in the process.

• Use a Solar Diverter

A solar diverter is a device that takes unused solar energy and diverts it to an electrical appliance. Solar diverters more commonly work to store this surplus energy in the water. Therefore, they’re often used to power hot water via the immersion heater. This means heating your hot water tank thus reducing the cost of fuelling this, and in some cases, even providing free hot water.

• Store in Battery Cells

Excess solar energy can be stored in several batteries with the potential to be used in the evening hours. Yet, they can also be used as a means of supplementing the energy supply when the input isn’t meeting demand, for example over the winter months. As many people using solar PV find they have to revert to the grid in the evening time when losing the sunlight, batteries could reduce this time, and in some cases, even eliminate it altogether. 

• Charge Electric Vehicles

For those who own an electric vehicle, charging it using the energy from your solar PV panels is yet another great way to make the most of this energy surplus. It also means you can do this during the daytime. Being able to charge your electric vehicle at home helps you save both time and money in stopping to recharge when out and about. 

• Set Timers on Your Appliances

For those who rely entirely on the grid, domestic appliances are often run late in the evenings to capitalise on lower energy rates. Yet, for those with solar PV, that excess energy can be used to power such appliances during the daytime. A great way to capture this surplus energy is to set as many appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers, to run during the day to take advantage of it.  

Running an Energy Efficient Home With Solar PV

Though solar PV is a natural process when turning sunlight into energy, storing that energy for later use takes a bit more preparation and planning in advance. However, the possibilities for using surplus solar power are fantastic and really can help you create the most energy-efficient home, while gradually weaning you off a reliance on the grid. 

Whether you choose to maximise this surplus for use in the home or sell it back to the grid, there are many places that this energy can be moved to.

If you’re considering adding a renewable energy source in your own home or business, get in touch with the Energy Efficiency team at City Plumbing. Experts in renewable technology, we’re perfectly placed to advise you on the best solutions of low carbon technologies to help you create a greener and more energy-efficient property.