Time-of-Use electricity

Did you know electricity is super-cheap in South Australia during the middle of the day when solar power is pumping into the grid? As of 1 July, the City of Burnside has been taking advantage of this cheap power, maximising low electricity costs from 10 am - 4 pm through a newly signed ‘Time of Use’ electricity plan - this is called the ‘solar sponge’ rate.

This six-hour window provides the optimal time for charging, heating, cooling, pumping, and anything else that consumes electricity. Outside of this timeframe, electricity prices can be five times more expensive, even rising to nine times higher during out-of-business peak use hours (5 pm – 9 pm).

Further, during the winter quarter, from May to August (inclusive), when solar power is least productive, there is an additional morning peak to avoid, with electricity being nine times more expensive from 6 am - 9 am during these four colder months.

It is not just businesses and local governments that are eligible to take advantage of these cheaply rated hours, residential households can also signup for Time of Use plans.

Many large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and pool pumps all pull a lot of power, but they are also programmable and can be set to run during the day during cheaper hours.

Maximising the consumption of solar power is a win-win. Saving money is a big win. It’s also saving nasty greenhouse gas emissions by focusing our consumption when solar power is available.

If you’d like to compare electricity retailers for your home, visit www.energymadeeasy.gov.au. You will need an invoice to upload or some data from your electricity meter – it could save you hundreds of dollars every year!