Photonik now has multiple Consumption Profiles
We added more Daily Usage patterns. As well as the standard double peak, we have now added other common consumption profiles.
- Double peak
- Daytime heavy (solar optimised, EV charging during the day for example)
- Flat (for constant AC use throughout the day for example)
- Evening heavy (for AC use at night, or EV charging at night etc)
You can also adjust Annual Usage pattern
- Mid year trough, end year peak (This is a standard pattern for either higher AC in summer months in the southern hemisphere, or higher electric heating in winter months in the northern hemisphere)
- Flat (Tropical areas or consistent electric heating/cooling)
- Mid-year peak, end year trough (This might be used for heavy AC usage in the summer months in the northern hemisphere)
Use more of your solar and lower your energy bills and emissions
We’ve played around with this feature and found some interesting outcomes. On a standard energy tariff, for a 10kW system in Australia, you can increase annual savings by $450, or 15% a year, by changing WHEN you use your power. This can increase more significantly if you are on time of use pricing that more closely reflects the real wholesale cost of energy.
Optimised daily usage increases savings by 15% a year
Self Sufficiency Increase 11%
Self sufficiency goes from 50% to 61%. That’s the same affect as installing a small battery, and the reason we suggest to people to improve their energy efficiency (including WHEN you use your electricity) before getting a battery. Is the simplest way to lower your energy cost and emissions.
High Night Time Usage? Consider A Battery
If you have high nightime use, then your solar generation is likely even less well matched to your energy consumption. This is when it’s a good idea to consider a battery.
Battery can add $1000 savings to an existing 10kW solar system
Adding a 9.6kWh battery to an existing 10kW system with the new STC battery rebates in Australia (zone 3), and high evening load, will give you a return in just 3.7 years. Faster than a solar system on its own, which is remarkable, as until recently batteries wouldn’t even give you a return on investment, the payback period was longer than the life expectancy.
Have a play with the new feature yourself, and let us know what you think.