Breaking down time-of-use and battery storage

You may have heard of Time-of-Use (TOU) rates or heard about them for the first time. Either way, TOU rates could be behind your ballooning energy bills in the future.

Smart energy storage like Sunrun Brightbox™ can help offset the higher electricity costs due to TOU rates. But before we get into that, let’s review TOU rates.

What are TOU rates?

TOU rates are electricity rates set by your local utility company and vary depending on the time of day. With TOU rates, electricity is most expensive during peak times or those when the demand is highest, such as in the evening when most people are home.

It could be even more costly at the height of summer or dead of winter when folks are cranking up the air conditioning or heater. Conversely, rates are cheaper during off-peak hours or low electricity demand, such as in the middle of the day when you typically wouldn’t be home.

TOU rates are designed to encourage utility customers to reduce their energy use during peak hours. But when all you want to do is come home and keep cool or stay warm, cook dinner and watch your favorite TV show, the last thing you want to think about is your electricity consumption.

Thankfully, Sunrun solar panels and our Brightbox home battery offer a solution to TOU so you can enjoy peace of mind 24/7. By optimizing your energy production and storage, you can manage your electricity costs effectively and ensure a reliable power supply throughout the day, regardless of fluctuating electricity prices.

Why Sunrun brightbox?

1. Saves the power you make

You can save the power your solar system makes. Brightbox funnels your system’s excess power into an LG lithium-ion battery; more on that here, storing solar energy in the middle of the day when you’re least likely to use electricity.

2. Powers your home at peak tou rates

Brightbox doesn’t just stop at solar and battery storage. It maximizes your energy consumption by using power generated from Sunrun solar panels during the day to avoid Time-of-Use rates when they’re most expensive, like when you get home from work at sundown.

Brightbox helps you save money and avoid buying energy from the electrical grid at peak demand by powering your home with the solar power saved in the battery.¹ The system's integration with solar panels ensures you effectively harness the sun's power.

Brightbox is more than just electricity storage. It’s a smart home solar energy system solution that responds to your energy usage needs, significantly reducing your carbon footprint and providing efficient energy usage management.

3. It’s only getting smarter (and cheaper)

Not only is Brightbox on the leading edge of home battery technology, but solar systems installation is also more affordable than ever.² Our custom solar installations, paired with flexible financing options, allow you to optimize your solar potential while maximizing energy savings, making it an efficient, durable, and affordable solar solution.³ 

As electricity rates continue to rise, having a Brightbox system can shield you from these utility bill increases by providing a stable and predictable extra energy source, further enhancing your savings and energy independence.

Does my utility use tou rates?

Many states offer TOU programs that you can opt into. Currently, Arizona is the only state with mandatory TOU rates for new solar customers. Brightbox™ is uniquely tailored to meet Arizonans’ needs, intelligently deciding when it’s most cost-effective to draw energy from your solar panels, battery, or the grid, helping you manage your electricity consumption efficiently and reduce energy costs.

Default TOU rates in California will go into effect in 2019. If you’re a California homeowner, choosing Brightbox now will prepare you to offset TOU rates once they kick in. Like in Arizona, Brightbox will automatically adjust so that you pay the lowest utility payment possible, even when your utility rates rise during peak demand.

Stored energy offers freedom, control, and peace of mind 

The future of energy lies in innovative solar power energy. This gives you the freedom and peace of mind you deserve, as well as significant savings on your energy costs by avoiding peak pricing.

Are you not sure if your local utility provider uses TOU rates? Google search for “[your local utility] + Time-of-Use rates” to determine how TOU rates might impact your energy bill.

Brightbox not only benefits your wallet but also has a significant impact on reducing overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it a smart and environmentally friendly choice.

To learn more about Brightbox, contact us today! 

References:

1. https://www.nrel.gov/technical-assistance/blog/posts/the_solar_energy_tr...

2. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/03/06/for-backup-power-batteri...

3. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/1/16/16895594/colorado-r...