Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable power source that can significantly reduce electricity costs and environmental impact. Installing solar panels on your property often generates more electricity than you need, especially during sunny days. This excess energy, unused solar electricity, doesn't have to go to waste. There are multiple ways to utilise it effectively—storing it for later use or selling it back to the grid. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of selling solar energy back to the grid.
What To Do With Unused Solar Electricity?
Unused solar electricity refers to the surplus power solar panels generate that exceeds a household's immediate needs. This excess energy presents homeowners with valuable opportunities. Instead of letting it go to waste, you can store this energy for future use or sell solar energy back to the grid UK. Each option offers unique advantages, from ensuring energy security during outages to generating additional income.
Benefits Of Storing Unused Solar Power
Energy Independence
By storing unused solar power, you reduce your dependence on the grid, providing energy independence. You can use the stored energy during cloudy days, at night, or during power outages, ensuring a continuous power supply for your home or business.
Cost Savings
Storing solar energy can significantly reduce your electricity bills. By using stored energy during peak times when electricity rates are higher, you avoid paying for electricity at these higher rates. In some regions, the feed-in tariff (the price you get for selling your excess energy back to the grid) is lower than the cost of buying electricity from the grid. Storing energy allows you to use it yourself when it's more cost-effective.
Environmental Impact
Utilising stored solar energy reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources, thereby decreasing one's carbon footprint. By maximising the use of solar power, one contributes to a greener, more sustainable environment.
Outage Protection
A battery storage system provides backup power during outages, which is especially useful in areas prone to power cuts. With stored solar energy, your home can remain powered, ensuring essential devices and appliances continue to operate.
Benefits Of Selling Unused Solar Power
Earning Potential
One of the main advantages of selling unused solar power is the potential to earn money. You receive payments by selling the excess energy back to the grid, typically through programs like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). It can provide a steady income stream and improve the return on investment for your solar panel system.
Opt Energy Use
Selling unused solar power to the grid ensures that the energy you generate is not wasted. Instead, it is used by others in your community, which supports a broader adoption of renewable energy and contributes to a cleaner energy grid.
Contribution to Grid Stability
By feeding unused solar power back into the grid, you help stabilise it. Solar energy can reduce peak demand pressures, helping to balance the energy supply and demand and prevent outages.
How To Sell Unused Solar Energy?
Selling unused solar energy involves connecting your solar panel system to the national grid. It allows you to export any excess power your system generates but does not use. To sell your solar energy, you must install a bi-directional meter. This meter tracks the electricity you send to the grid versus the amount you consume.
To sell unused solar energy, you must register with an energy supplier offering an export tariff, such as the SEG in the UK. The process generally involves providing details about your solar panel system, including its capacity and the type of inverter you use.
The Process Of Selling Solar Electricity
Step 1: Check Eligibility Requirements
Before selling solar energy back to the grid, check the eligibility requirements in your region. These often include having a solar PV system of a specific size, using a certified inverter, and installing a bidirectional metre.
Step 2: Choose An Energy Supplier
Select an energy supplier that offers a competitive export tariff. Compare different suppliers and their tariffs to find the one that provides the best rate for your unused solar electricity.
Step 3: Register Your System
Register your solar PV system with your chosen energy supplier. You may need to provide information about your system's capacity, location, and installation details.
Step 4: Install A Bi-Directional Metre
A bi-directional metre measures the electricity you use from the grid and the excess electricity your system exports. This meter is necessary to accurately calculate how much solar electricity you sell to the grid.
Step 5: Start Exporting Energy
Once you register and install the bidirectional metre, you can start exporting excess solar energy to the grid. The energy supplier will monitor the amount of electricity exported and pay you according to their tariff.
Description Of The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed initiative in the UK designed to encourage the adoption of renewable energy by providing payments to small-scale, low-carbon generators for electricity exported to the grid. The SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, focusing on market-driven pricing and giving energy suppliers more flexibility in setting export tariffs.
Under the SEG, energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers must offer an export tariff to eligible participants. The SEG is open to households with solar PV panels, wind turbines, hydro systems, or other forms of renewable energy technology. It allows them to receive payments for the electricity they export.
How To Apply For SEG Tariff?
How to sell electricity from solar panels? To apply for the SEG tariff, follow these steps:
Step 1: Install Renewable Energy Technology
Ensure you have a suitable renewable energy system installed on your property, such as solar PV panels.
Step 2: Choose An SEG Licensee
Select an energy supplier that offers the SEG tariff. It's advisable to compare different licensees to find the most competitive rate.
Step 3: Register Your System
Register your renewable energy system with the chosen SEG licensee. You may need proof of installation, such as an MCS certificate or equivalent.
Step 4: Install A Smart Meter
A smart or bi-directional metre must be installed to measure the amount of electricity you export. It ensures accurate readings and proper payments.
Step 5: Receive Payments
Once registered and the smart metre is installed, you will receive payments for the electricity you export to the grid according to the SEG tariff you agreed upon with your licensee.
How Much Money Can You Get For Selling Solar Energy To The Grid?
The amount of money you can get for selling solar power back to the grid depends on several factors, including the size of your solar panel system, the amount of excess energy generated, and the rate offered by your energy supplier. SEG rates can vary significantly between suppliers, ranging from 1p to 15p per kWh. On average, a typical household could earn between £50 and £200 annually from selling their unused solar electricity.
This extra income can help lower your other household expenses and enhance the return on your initial solar panel investment, improving your overall finances. In the UK, the Smart Export Guarantee scheme is the most effective way to earn money by selling electricity back to the grid.
Why Choose The BLUETTI EP760 + 2*B500 for Your Solar Energy Storage Needs?
When it comes to managing excess solar electricity, the BLUETTI EP760 + 2*B500 energy storage system is an exceptional choice. The BLUETTI EP760, paired with two B500 battery modules, allows you to store unused solar electricity efficiently.
By storing excess energy during sunny days, you can use it later during cloudy weather or at night, reducing your reliance on the grid and cutting down on electricity costs. The system's capacity ranges from 9.9 kWh to 19.8 kWh, making it adaptable to different energy needs, whether for a small home or a larger property.
Not just the storage, the BLUETTI EP760 + 2*B500 offers the flexibility to sell your stored solar energy back to the grid. This feature is handy if your local energy provider offers a time-varying Feed-in Tariff (FIT) or Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
You can maximise your earnings by exporting energy during peak hours when rates are higher. The system supports AC and DC coupling, making it compatible with existing solar installations and new setups.
Key Benefits Of The BLUETTI EP760 + 2*B500:
Energy Independence
Reduce your reliance on the grid and lower your electricity bills by storing excess solar power for use during non-peak hours or outages.
Maximise Earnings
Take advantage of time-varying FIT rates by selling stored energy during high-demand periods, increasing your income from solar energy.
Flexible Installation
The BLUETTI EP760 system is designed for easy integration with existing solar panels or new solar systems, offering flexibility and convenience for various setups.
High Efficiency and Safety
With a maximum output of 7,600W and the ability to store up to 19.8 kWh of energy, the BLUETTI EP760 system provides robust performance. Its LiFePO₄ battery cells are known for their safety, stability, and long lifespan, ensuring your energy storage is both secure and efficient.
Durable and Weather-Resistant
The system’s IP65 rating means it can withstand dust, water, and other harsh conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Q&A
Q1: Are there any limitations on selling solar energy to the grid?
Yes, there are limitations on selling solar energy to the grid. These may include local grid capacity, specific regulations or policies from your energy provider, and the technical requirements of your solar energy system.
Q2: Is it worth selling solar energy to the grid?
Yes, selling solar energy to the grid can be beneficial if you generate more electricity than you use. This allows you to earn money from the excess energy, potentially reducing your overall energy costs and improving the return on your investment in solar panels.
Q3: How much solar can I put back into the grid?
The amount of solar energy you can export to the grid generally depends on the size of your solar panel system and local regulations. In many cases, homeowners can sell all of their excess energy to the grid, provided their system meets the technical standards and their energy provider allows it.
Q4: Who pays the best SEG tariff?
The best SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) tariffs are offered by various energy suppliers, and the rates can vary. Some of the companies known for offering competitive SEG rates include Octopus Energy, Bulb, and E.ON. However, it's a good idea to regularly check and compare the current rates from different suppliers, as these can change frequently.
Conclusion
Making the most of your solar energy can help you save money and support a greener planet. Whether you decide to store the extra solar electricity you produce or sell it back to the grid, each choice has its benefits. Storing excess energy means you can use it later when the sun isn't shining or during power outages, which reduces your reliance on the grid and lowers your electricity bills.
Selling your extra energy allows you to earn extra money and contribute to a more stable and reliable power grid. The BLUETTI EP760 + 2*B500 energy storage system is an excellent solution for storing and selling solar energy back to the grid UK. It's easy to use, works well with different solar setups, and offers a large storage capacity.
