I’m curious as to what people are doing with their spare solar power.

I’m in the US and on NEM2. I already have batteries and discharge them when the rates are favorable.

But I still have a lot of leftover juice. My partner recently bought an EV but doesn’t drive much.

I set up a home lab and even bought a small bitcoin miner that turns on when electricity rates are favorable.

  • Iced Raktajino@startrek.website
    2·
    2 days ago

    I’m eventually going for a hybrid heat pump model but I mentioned a cheap electric resistive one as a preheater because it’s easy to use as a dump load

    • Brkdncr@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      2 days ago

      Not sure how this benefits much. A 2nd electric heater is a decent amount of wiring to deal with, extra breaker space on your panel, conduit, etc.

      A bigger heater would have the same effect without the extra costs of install, plus the added benefit of less surface area to lose heat.

      If you’re going through the effort of installing a 2nd water heater just buy a heat pump one.

      Another method would be to set your temp higher during lower rates, and lower during higher rates. You’ll save a tad bit of electricity if you make use of that hotter water before it reaches the lower temp. I don’t think it’s enough savings to make a difference though.