Summer in Newcastle brings plenty of sunshine, which is perfect for generating solar energy. With longer days and more sunlight, solar panels can operate at their peak performance, helping homeowners and businesses reduce energy bills significantly. If you’re looking to make the most of your solar system this summer, we’ve got you covered with five practical tips to maximise solar efficiency and savings during the sunny months.
Why Summer Is the Best Season for Solar Savings
The summer season provides the ideal conditions for maximum solar energy production in Newcastle. With the sun shining for an average of 10 to 12 hours a day, solar panels have more time to absorb sunlight and generate electricity. This increased energy production allows for greater savings on energy bills, especially as air conditioning and cooling systems are in high demand during the hotter months.
Now, let’s dive into five effective ways to ensure your solar system helps you save as much as possible this summer.
1. Optimise Solar Panel Performance
The first step to maximising your solar savings this summer is to ensure your solar panels are operating at peak efficiency. Here are some ways to do that:
Regular Cleaning
Keep Panels Clean: Dust, dirt, and bird droppings can accumulate on solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing efficiency. During the dry summer months, panels can get dirty quickly, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Use a soft brush, mild soap, and water to gently remove debris, or hire a professional cleaning service to ensure thorough cleaning.
Rain Helps Too: While summer rain showers are less frequent, they can help rinse off some of the dust that accumulates on the panels. However, don’t rely solely on rain to keep your panels clean, manual cleaning is often needed for maximum efficiency.
Check for Obstructions
Trim Nearby Trees: Make sure no trees, branches, or other objects are casting shadows on the panels. Even partial shading can significantly reduce energy production, so trimming back branches or repositioning objects can make a noticeable difference in efficiency.
By maintaining clean and clear panels, you ensure that they capture as much sunlight as possible, leading to increased energy production and higher savings.
2. Use Appliances During Peak Solar Hours
To maximise your solar savings, it’s best to use energy intensive appliances during the peak solar hours of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is when solar panels are generating the most electricity. Here’s how to make the most of your solar energy during these hours:
Shift Laundry to Daytime: Run your washing machine, dryer, or dishwasher during peak sunlight hours to use solar generated power instead of drawing from the grid.
Charge Devices During the Day: Charge laptops, phones, and other electronic devices during the day. This not only makes use of solar energy but also reduces energy consumption during the evening.
Run Pool Pumps in the Afternoon: If you have a swimming pool, set the pump to run during peak solar hours. Pool pumps can be energy intensive, so running them while your solar system is generating electricity can help offset the costs.
By shifting energy usage to align with peak solar hours, you can reduce grid dependence and maximise savings.
3. Adjust Air Conditioning Usage
Air conditioning is one of the biggest contributors to higher energy bills during summer, but with a little strategy, you can use it more efficiently with solar energy:
Run Air Conditioning During Daylight Hours
Use Solar Powered Cooling: Set your air conditioning to run during the day when your solar panels are generating electricity. Cooling the house during daylight hours can reduce the need for air conditioning at night, when you’d otherwise be drawing power from the grid.
Set the Thermostat Wisely
Optimal Thermostat Settings: Set your thermostat to a comfortable yet energy efficient temperature, around 24°C to 26°C. Every degree below this range can increase energy usage by up to 10%, so keeping it in the mid 20s helps maximise energy savings.
Use a Programmable Thermostat: If you have a programmable thermostat, schedule it to start cooling your home in the late morning when solar production starts to ramp up, and reduce cooling output in the evening as the panels produce less energy.
By strategically using your air conditioning, you can stay comfortable while maximising solar savings and minimising reliance on the grid.
4. Store Excess Energy with Battery Storage
Adding solar battery storage to your system is one of the best ways to make the most of your solar energy in summer. Here’s how it works:
Store Excess Solar Energy: During sunny days, your solar panels may generate more electricity than your home uses. Instead of sending this excess energy back to the grid, a battery allows you to store it for later use.
Use Stored Energy in the Evening: Battery storage enables you to use solar generated electricity during the evening when the sun has set. This reduces the need to draw power from the grid, lowering energy bills further.
Backup Power During Outages: Summer storms can sometimes lead to power outages. With battery storage, you’ll have a reliable backup source of power, ensuring that essential appliances like refrigerators, lights and medical devices continue to operate.
Battery storage maximises your energy independence and enhances your solar system’s efficiency, making it a smart investment for long term savings.
5. Take Advantage of Feed-In Tariffs
If you’re not using all the solar energy your system produces during the day, you can take advantage of feed-in tariffs. Here’s how feed-in tariffs work:
Earn Credits for Excess Energy: When your solar system produces more electricity than your home uses, the excess energy is sent back to the grid. In return, you receive credits on your electricity bill, which help offset costs when you do need to draw power from the grid.
Compare Feed in Tariff Rates: Not all energy providers offer the same feed-in tariffs, so it’s worth comparing rates to ensure you’re getting the best deal. In Newcastle, feed-in tariffs can range from 5 to 12 cents per kWh, depending on the provider.
Adjust Your Energy Plan: If you’re consistently generating excess solar energy, consider switching to an energy plan with higher feed-in tariffs to maximise savings.
By taking full advantage of feed-in tariffs, you can further reduce your energy bills and make the most of your solar investment this summer.
The Bottom Line: Solar Savings in Summer
Summer is the perfect time to maximise the benefits of solar energy in Newcastle. By optimising panel performance, using energy strategically, and making the most of battery storage and feed-in tariffs, you can significantly reduce energy bills and increase energy independence. Solar power isn’t just about saving money; it’s about smarter energy use, lower carbon emissions and a more sustainable way of living.
At Solar Technology & Electrical, we’re committed to helping Newcastle residents get the most out of their solar systems. Whether you’re considering solar for the first time or looking to upgrade your existing system with battery storage, we offer free consultations to help you achieve your energy goals.
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