As of October 2024, the solar export rate in Northern Ireland has dropped from an average of 14p per kWh to just 10.22p per kWh, leaving homeowners with significantly less for the energy they sell back to the grid. This change poses a challenge for those who rely on exporting their surplus solar energy for additional savings. However, there’s a smarter way to get the most out of your solar system.
At Solar Power NI, we recommend incorporating battery storage solutions like Libbi or a smart energy diverter such as Eddi to optimise your solar power usage. These technologies allow you to store or use the solar energy you generate rather than selling it back to the grid at reduced rates, ensuring your home gets the maximum benefit from your investment.
Understanding the drop in solar export rates
The recent reduction in export rates means homeowners now earn less from exporting solar energy to the grid. At 10.22p per kWh, the financial incentive to sell excess energy is lower, making self-consumption a more attractive and cost-effective option. Rather than exporting energy for a fraction of its value, homeowners should consider solutions that allow them to make the most of the solar energy they generate, even when they aren’t home to use it immediately.
Battery storage: harness energy when you need it
By adding battery storage like libbi, you can store surplus solar power during the day and use it when the sun isn’t shining—during the evening or on cloudy days. This means you reduce your reliance on the grid and make the most of the energy your solar panels produce. Battery storage not only helps you avoid lower export rates but also provides energy security during peak hours offering long-term savings and independence from fluctuating energy prices.
Smart energy diverters: putting solar power to work in your home
Another effective way to avoid exporting energy for lower rates is by using a smart energy diverter like eddi. This device redirects any excess solar energy into powering household appliances or heating your water, ensuring that no energy is wasted. For example, when your solar panels generate more power than your home needs, eddi can automatically send that surplus to heat water, eliminating the need for traditional water heaters and further reducing your energy bills.
Long-term benefits of creating a solar ecosystem
Incorporating battery storage and energy diverters into your solar setup not only saves you money but also provides other key benefits. You’ll gain greater energy independence, relying less on the grid and protecting yourself from rising energy costs. In times of peak demand, when electricity prices typically surge, having a battery or energy diverter allows you to tap into your own stored or diverted solar power, avoiding high tariffs and ensuring a steady, cost-effective energy supply.
Additionally, this self-sufficiency in energy usage is a major environmental win. By using more of the renewable energy you generate, you further reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. This eco-friendly approach not only benefits you but also adds value to your property, making it more appealing to environmentally-conscious buyers should you ever decide to sell.
How Solar Power NI can help
At Solar Power NI, we specialise in creating customised solar solutions that maximise the benefits of your solar investment. Our team is ready to help you explore options like libbi battery storage or eddi energy diverters to ensure you get the most from the solar energy you produce. We work with the latest technology to build a smart home ecosystem that saves you money, reduces your reliance on the grid, and enhances the value of your home.
With the drop in solar export rates, now is the perfect time to rethink your energy strategy and make sure you’re getting the maximum return from your solar system.
Contact Solar Power NI today to learn more about how we can help you create a smart, future-proof energy system tailored to your needs.
