I first bought Sense to help me find where I was using power, but it turned out I already had efficient appliances and bulbs. The Electric Vehicles and the hot tub didn’t help. So I got Sense Solar and added panels to my roof.
Share how you used the Sense app to help. Be specific!:
Sure, I can sell that electricity to the grid and earn 7¢, but if I buy it back later I have to pay 28¢ per kWh. So instead, when the sun is shining and I see too much production on my Sense display I turn things on, the dishwasher, the washing machine... When there is still more solar I start the cars charging. Not until all the work is done and all the cars are charged do I let the power go out to the grid, some days that's more than 30 kWhs that I am generating and using.
As the sun starts to set, and production is below demand I start winding down usage. Even when it's just a large cloud, I can pause the washer, I can even pause a car charging by using my phone when I am across town. Someday I hope Sense will do that job for me.
2 Replies to “Use Solar at home, don’t send it to the grid”
Thanks for sharing your story. My goal is to reach your level.
IFTTT should be able to start your car charging when solar production exceeds a certain threshold.