Solar surplus: what to do with the energy you don't use

If your solar is properly sized, you generate more than you use for many hours of the day. What do you do with those kWh? There are far better options than giving them to the utility. Here are 5 winning strategies.

1. Net metering credit (the basic)

The default: surplus exports to the grid and the utility credits your bill. Typical 2026 rates: 5-12¢/kWh (much less than the 14-32¢/kWh you pay to consume). Fine if your export rate is solid; meh if it's miserable.

2. Heat domestic hot water (power-to-heat)

A 1,500-2,500 W resistive element controlled by MyEnergi Eddi, Solar Manager or iBoost turns on only when there's surplus. Converts every surplus kWh into hot water for free. Investment: $450-800 + electric heater ($350-550).

3. Charge EV in pure-solar mode

A smart wallbox (Wallbox Pulsar Plus, Zappi, Tesla Wall Connector with smart load mgmt) detects surplus in real time and modulates car charging to use only the excess. Every kWh in the car saves $0.25-0.35 by replacing nighttime grid draw.

4. Sun-scheduled HVAC

Schedule your AC, heat pump or pool heater to start at 11am-1pm even if you're away. Pre-cool or pre-heat using surplus instead of paying the grid later. Your home's thermal inertia acts as a free battery.

5. Virtual batteries (the new thing)

Some utilities now let you 'store' surplus as a credit you can spend when consuming (variations of true net metering or aggregated billing). Read the fine print: caps, fees, expiration windows.

To know if a real battery pays off, see when a battery is worth it and compare with solar without a battery.