Going solar is a smart move for anyone who wants to lower their electricity bills and reduce the carbon footprint of their household. That’s everyone, right? But just because you have solar doesn’t mean you should run your appliances all day long. To get the most out of your solar panels, it’s best to choose the right times to switch on and switch off.

Consider what plan you’re on

If you’re part of the Solar Bonus Scheme, it’s best to use power at night and early morning to sell excess solar energy back to the grid at the higher 44-cent rate when the sun isn’t shining.

For those with the solar feed-in tariff in regional Queensland, it’s ideal to consume power during the day, especially during peak sunlight hours. This helps you use more of the solar power you generate, selling less during the day at the lower feed-in tariff and buying less at night at the higher Tariff 11 rate.



For most people using solar, the best time to run appliances will be in the middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest and the panels are generating the most electricity. Most people, however, are at work during these hours and instead run most of their appliances during the early mornings and evenings. While you might only be able to cook in the evenings after work, there are still things you can do to help lower those electricity bills when it comes to appliances and the times you run them.

5 tips to help lower your electricity bills

1. Think about scheduling your dishwasher to operate during the midday hours. Even if you load it in the morning or evening, you can program it to start around noon. Dishwashers consume a significant amount of electricity, especially during the initial water heating phase and when drying the dishes.

2. Avoid running multiple appliances simultaneously. For instance, wait until your dishwasher finishes its cycle before starting the washing machine to ensure that your power demand doesn’t exceed what your solar PV system is generating.

3. In summer, set your aircon to switch on an hour or two before you get home so that your house is already cool when you get home. That way the system kicks in during its peak capacity rather than the evening when they’re not generating much solar power.

4. Consider buying a solar diverter. A solar diverter acts as a switch between solar panels and hot water systems, which helps to capture solar power and store it for later use. The best part about having a solar diverter is that you no longer have to worry about what time of the day to run your appliances as it does all the thinking for you.

5. Most people charge their devices, especially their phones and tablets, during the night so that everything is fully charged for the upcoming day. Consider changing this to charge during the day instead. This simple change can actually save you a lot of money.

Your Solar & Electrical Experts

Established in 2020, Tropical Solar and Electrical Services is a locally owned and operated company servicing homes and businesses throughout Mackay and surrounding areas including Moranbah, Sarina, Proserpine and Rockhampton. Whether it’s power on the roof or within the property, we’ll ensure it’s running as it should. Get in touch with our electrical experts today for a free quote. We’re available 24/7 for your convenience.