Making the Most of Your Solar Investment: When to Use Power, Energy Efficiency, and EV Chargers

Whether you’ve already installed a solar system or you’re in the decision-making process, we’re here to guide you. Optimizing your solar investment is important, and we’ll explore strategies for when to use power, energy efficiency, and integrating electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Going solar isn’t just an investment; it’s a commitment to a cleaner future, and we’ll provide insights into maximizing your solar system’s benefits for both current owners and those considering the switch.

As a bonus, we also have a downloadable PDF version of this guide available for you to keep and reference at any time. This way, you’ll always have a handy resource to revisit whenever you need guidance on maximizing your solar investment.

It’s essential to recognize the tremendous potential of your solar investment, whether it’s already in place or on your horizon.

When to Use Power


Knowing when to make the most of your solar system’s power is highly recommended. In a sunny place like Hawaii, where we enjoy consistent sunshine year-round, it might seem straightforward. However, the occasional rainy or cloudy day can throw a curveball into your solar energy production plans, which is why flexibility in your energy strategy is key.

To harness the full potential of your solar power, here are a couple of practical strategies to consider:

First, make the most of the daylight hours by running power-hungry appliances when the sun is shining bright. Your system is designed to cover a significant portion of your nighttime energy needs, so let the sun do the heavy lifting during the day.

Additionally, a valuable tip we offer our customers is to consider doing tasks like laundry during the day. For homeowners with air conditioning, take note that if you observe your batteries reaching full capacity at a specific time, that’s a perfect opportunity to operate your AC system. When the battery is full and there’s no excess solar power to store, it’s a great time to cool your home.

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Second, think about setting up timers and smart controls. These nifty tools can help you fine-tune your energy usage, allowing you to schedule energy-intensive tasks when your solar panels are at their most efficient. This small adjustment can significantly boost your system’s overall performance.

Energy Efficiency

Even after installing solar panels, energy efficiency remains crucial. Here’s how to maximize it:

1. Home Energy Audits: Consider conducting a home energy audit to identify areas where energy is wasted. Seal drafts, improve insulation, and upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Take advantage of Hawaii Energy incentives to save money and energy.

2. Smart Home Technologies: Explore smart home technologies like Span to gain insights into your energy usage and control when devices are on and off. Knowledge is power when it comes to optimizing your solar system’s efficiency.

EV Chargers

Integrating EV chargers with your solar system is a smart move. Here’s why:

Charging your EV with solar power is not only environmentally friendly but also makes you your own power provider. You reduce reliance on traditional power sources, contributing to a greener future.

By optimizing your solar storage and system, you can enjoy long-term benefits, both in terms of cost savings and environmental impact. We’ve covered a range of topics, from knowing when to use power to the importance of energy efficiency and the integration of EV chargers.
And remember, you can always refer back to our downloadable PDF guide or the video above for ongoing support and insights as you continue on your solar journey. We encourage you to take action and make the most of your solar investment.

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Status: The program is capped at 50 megawatts (MW), as of right now we are at 6.2 MW.

  • Currently customers who are accepted into the program will receive $850 per kilowatt (kW).
  • After the first 15 MW is filled, the next 15 MW of committed capacity will receive $750 per kW.
  • After the next 15 MW is used the last 20 MW of committed capacity will receive $500 per kW.

Customers that are not currently enrolled in the company’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) Program will receive a fixed monthly bill credit for energy exported to the grid for three years. The credit is an amount equivalent to the respective retail rate for electricity exported during the two-hour period. After these three years are completed any underlying interconnection tariff export rates, if any, will apply.

Customers who wish to participate with an existing solar system and are presently enrolled in a customer energy program (such as Net Energy Metering, and Grid Supply or others) will continue to receive full benefits from these programs. Up to 5 kW of new panels may be added under existing programs. There is no limit on the size of an individual customer’s battery.

If you would like to add more than 5 kW of additional capacity of PV, it is possible as long as you still adhere to a 2:1 PV to battery output ratio. These apply to any interconnection tariff customers!

5/5

“We wholeheartedly recommend Independent Energy Hawaii for all your solar photovoltaic system needs. From our initial conversations with Desta to the final inspection with James, every interaction was extraordinarily positive. The team’s knowledge, honesty, and professionalism was exceptional. The whole process was done efficiently and reliably and we couldn’t be more appreciative. Every member of the team was professional, competent, and respectful in their dealings with us.”

– Sandy L

5/5

“Easily the most professional crew I ever had the pleasure of doing business with, and I never felt alone or in the dark thanks to Desta. He helped me with all my questions and I loved the fact that he was just a phone call away. Dedication to something like that is just hard to find nowadays. This company was a breath of fresh air for me and I wish I could do such an awesome crew justice with such a simple review. 10/10″

– Hank W

5/5

“Desta, Adam, Mike, Garrison and the rest of the Independent Energy Team are amazing. They were knowledgeable, responsive and helpful throughout our whole solar process. When issues came up (as they always do with projects), they went the extra mile to make sure everything worked properly.
Our panels and battery were installed on time as promised and are working great – just got our first ever $26 HECO bill!
This company cares about helping people and doing quality work, which is very rare these days. Hands down the best experience I’ve had with a company for home improvement/renovations. Highly recommend!”

– Matcha S.