How to use your photovoltaic panels efficiently
Run household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers during daylight hours.
You should also avoid using multiple appliances at once. This may exceed the electricity being generated by the photovoltaic panels.
Most photovoltaic panel systems don’t normally store electricity. Any electricity that isn’t used in the home will be exported back to the National Grid.
The essentials to managing your photovoltaic panels – in brief:
Try to
- Use appliances during daylight hours to make the most out of the energy generated.
- Charge electrical items such as phones during daylight hours.
Avoid
- Using multiple appliances at the same time. The energy demand will be more than the amount of energy generated by the photovoltaic panels.
More detail if you need it
What are photovoltaic panels?
- Photovoltaic panels are also known as solar panels. They capture the sun’s energy in cells and convert this energy into electricity to be used in the home. Photovoltaic panels work effectively even on cloudy days because they aren’t reliant on direct sunlight.
How do photovoltaic panels work?
- Photovoltaic panels are made from semi-conducting materials. When light from the sun shines on the panel, it creates an electric field. The stronger the sunshine, the more electricity is produced.
- Hastoe has installed Dimplex Free-E devices to a small number of properties where heating upgrades have taken place, the property already had photovoltaic panels, or where installing photovoltaic panels was part of the upgrade.
- The Dimplex Free-E devices divert surplus energy not used in the home to the hot water tank heater. This is instead of transferring it back to the grid. The energy is then used to heat water for your house.
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