Skip to main content
Sunrun
  • Contact Us 833-394-3384
  • Get a Quote
  • Plans & Services
      • Overview
      • Monthly Solar Lease
      • Full Amount Solar Lease
      • Monthly Solar Loan
      • Purchase Solar System
  • Why Sunrun
      • Overview
      • Our Guarantee
      • Our Customers
      • Careers
      • Make Moving Easy
  • Solar Storage
      • Overview
      • Tesla Powerwall
  • EV Charging
      • F-150 Lightning™
  • Plans & Services
      • Overview
      • Monthly Solar Lease
      • Full Amount Solar Lease
      • Monthly Solar Loan
      • Purchase Solar System
  • Solar Storage
      • Overview
      • LG Chem
      • Tesla Powerwall
  • Why Sunrun
      • Overview
      • Our Vision
      • Our Guarantee
      • Our Customers
      • Careers
  • Solar by state
  • Solar FAQs
  • Solar Education
  • Cost of solar
  • Contact us
  • Sign in
  • Get started
Find out the cost of solar for your home Learn more
Find out the cost of solar for your home Learn more

3 Ways A Home Battery Helps You Stay In Control During Time Of Use Rates

Linkedin Linkedin Facebook Facebook Twitter Facebook
3 ways solar battery storage saves on TOU rates

Breaking Down Time of Use and Battery Storage 

Maybe you’ve heard of time-of-use (TOU) rates before, or maybe you’re just now hearing about them. Either way, TOU rates could be behind your ballooning energy bills in the future.

Smart energy storage like Sunrun Brightbox™ can help to offset the higher cost of electricity due to TOU rates. But before we get into that, let’s go over what TOU rates are.

What are TOU rates?

TOU rates are electricity rates that are set by your local utility and vary depending on the time of day. With TOU rates, electricity is most expensive during peak hours, or those when the demand is highest, such as the evening when most people are home. It could be even more costly at the height of summer or dead of winter when folks are cranking up the air conditioner or heater. Conversely, rates are cheaper during off-peak hours, or when demand for electricity is low like in the middle of the day when you typically wouldn’t be home.

TOU rates are put in place to help encourage utility customers to reduce their energy use during peak hours. But when all you want to do is come home and keep cool or stay warm, cook dinner and watch your favorite TV show,  the last thing you want to think about is your electricity consumption

Thankfully, Sunrun solar panels and our Brightbox home battery offers a solution to TOU so you can enjoy peace of mind, 24/7.

Here’s how:

See if you qualify for the
26% federal tax credit

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Do you own your home?
What is your average monthly electric bill?

By clicking below, I authorize Sunrun to call me and send pre-recorded messages and text messages to me about Sunrun products and services at the telephone number I entered above, using an autodialer, even if I am on a national or state “Do Not Call” list. Message and data rates may apply. Maximum 10 texts per month. Consent for calls & texts is optional. You can opt out anytime. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Thanks so much! We'll call you shortly.

Sorry, we are not taking new customers in your area yet

 

Refer a friend. Get $1000

Why Sunrun Brightbox?

1. Saves the Power You Make

You can save the power your solar system makes. Brightbox funnels your system’s excess power into an LG lithium-ion battery; more on that here, storing solar power in the middle of the day when you’re least likely to use electricity.  

2. Powers Your Home at Peak TOU Rates

Brightbox doesn’t just stop at solar storage. It maximizes your consumption by using power generated from Sunrun solar panels during the day to avoid TOU rates when they’re most expensive, like when you get home from work at sundown. Brightbox helps you avoid buying energy from the grid at peak rates by powering your home with the solar power that is saved in the battery.1 Brightbox is more than just electricity storage. It’s a smart home solar solution that responds to your energy needs.

3. It’s Only Getting Smarter (and Cheaper)

Not only is Brightbox on the leading edge of home battery storage technology, the cost of solar installation is more affordable than it’s ever been.2 Our custom solar installations paired with flexible financing options allow you to optimize your solar potential while maximizing savings, making it a solar solution that’s efficient, durable and affordable.3 

Does My Utility Use TOU Rates?

Many states offer TOU programs that you can opt into. At the present time, the only state that has mandatory TOU rates for new solar customers in Arizona. Brightbox™ is uniquely tailored to meet Arizonans’ needs, intelligently deciding when it’s most cost-effective to draw energy from your solar panels, your battery, or the grid.

Default TOU rates in California will go into effect in 2019. If you’re a California homeowner, choosing Brightbox now will make you all the more prepared to offset TOU rates once they kick in. Like in Arizona, Brightbox will automatically adjust so that you pay the lowest utility payment possible, even when your utility rates rise during peak hours. This gives you the freedom and peace of mind you deserve.

Battery Storage Offers Freedom, Control and Peace Of Mind 

The future of energy lies in smart solar storage. Not sure if your local utility uses TOU rates? Do a Google search for “[your local utility] + time-of-use rates” to find out. To learn more about Brightbox, contact us today.

David Zeledon

Jun 15, 2018

 

Sources:

1. https://www.nrel.gov/technical-assistance/blog/posts/the_solar_energy_tr...

2. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/03/06/for-backup-power-batteri...

3. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/1/16/16895594/colorado-r...

Recommended Articles

  • String Inverter

    String Inverter

    A device that converts the generated solar energy into usable electricity for a home.

  • Advantages of solar pv (photovoltaic) energy

    Advantages of solar pv (photovoltaic) energy

    Solar PV energy is clean energy One main reason to opt for solar energy is...

  • Bright news about solar from around the nation

    Bright news about solar from around the nation

    Solar energy in the United States has been having a heck of a good time lately. It’s never been a better time to be a solar homeowner or think about going solar.

  • Is My Roof Good for Solar?

    Is My Roof Good for Solar?

    Find Out Which Roof Types Are Ideal for Solar Panels Today It's time to consider...

Ready to get started?

Get started
  • Why Sunrun
    • Overview
    • Customer Stories
    • 7-Steps to Solar
  • Products
    • Overview
    • Solar Panels
    • Solar Battery
  • About
    • Team
    • Careers
    • Investors
    • Home Builders
  • Help
    • FAQ's
    • Contact Us
    • MySunrun

Customized solar plan for your home

Get a quote
See solar cost
  • State Contractor License Information
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

The services provided to you on this site are not provided by Ford Motor Company, but rather by Sunrun, 225 Bush St #1400, San Francisco, CA, 94104, an independent company.

©2023 Sunrun. All rights reserved.

Sunrun Logo phone sunrun-glyph Contact-Us-Icon facebook instagram twitter youtube linkedin