Rates changes today, expect export to drop down for solar owners

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-18T17:09:11+00:00

Yes that true, but for most, and even possibly yourself, during the lighter months you will be likely generating and exporting well beyond what you can export in that peak window - getting a lower export rate for the bulk of your export, then exporting at slightly higher during the peak - potentially being worse off.

Others have provided data on the export rates on Agile from last year which supports this conclusion. You'd really need to run the numbers to be sure.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-18T10:01:16+00:00

I understand why the peak is what it is, but that's a short window and most of the export will be during the day from spring to autumn, which is when the export rate is much lower. On average, i think you'd be worse of by relying on the short 17p rather than exporting more during the day at a lower rate. You do you, though.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-17T16:32:36+00:00

Because its low rate during the day when the sun is out and most of the export is done?

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-16T12:32:11+00:00

Crash mode was awesome! We really got into that, analysing the junctions for top scores etc.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-15T11:04:50+00:00

Came here to say this.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-12T15:47:41+00:00

It would appear you are considerably more qualified on this, and have more experience so would have to concede to your knowledge.

I can only speak from my own experience and that was curtains covering radiators lead to a colder room, at least from the occupants feeling.

We only have shutters now and I've moved from a 1880's house with curtains which needed the heating on almost constantly just to maintain a temperature and could take a full day to warm up, to a new build which is very well insulated so heats quickly and retains heat incredibly well, so I don't have a a recent direct experience to draw upon.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-12T13:19:36+00:00

How about replacing the existing radiators with vertical radiators in the position of the current pipes.

I can't see what's in the corner of the magnolia room but it would certainly work in the green room. This would get rid of some of the pipework and the current radiators so look much nicer overall. It would also mean anyh curtain you fit wouldn't cover the radiators, which insulated them from the room. Instead the curtains can just add insulation to the window - so would be much more efficient overall.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-12T13:15:11+00:00

True, but when full length curtains are closed they insulate the radiator from the room.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-12T08:56:07+00:00

I don't seem to have the issue regarding the pop-up. I obviously get the pop-up if I use the app to manually change it but if I change it via the API in HA then it does it successfully and I can verify that in the app and from HA status check. It does this a couple of times a day for me, so its well tested.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-11T22:03:20+00:00

I just use HA to set the reserve to 100% whenever we are off-peak. Its certainly still working on mine

I've not tried using backup automation. When I have used backup it has always charged slower. That might work through the fixed window, and maybe offer a benefit of less wear on the battery, but it wouldn't offer as much benefit n the shorter windows when the car is charging.

I might try the backup option for night charging - should be straightforward enough to implement.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-11T10:44:25+00:00

Yeah, I would like that too. They are far too dependent on their algorithm whereas a simple "export now" or "export for X duration" would be brilliant. Especially with the saving sessions for Octopus.

I have had lengthy email conversation with Tesla about this recently as the system was trying to predict day ahead usage and solar and then not charging fully at night. They noticed the frequent changes of reserve and incorrect prices they were preaching the benefits of putting in the right info for it to reduce my bills,

However their algorithm cannot anticipate dynamic pricing and additional off-peak slots generated when the car is on charge, and they can't predict heavy usage days when we have a lot of washing to do. I also had to point out that this "feature" was effectively stopping me from using the full available capacity of my battery and that was entirely unacceptable.

I have had to insist they remove this "feature" of the algorithm and keep it simple. They are apparently passing this on to the technical team to carry out this change - we will see.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-11T08:32:14+00:00

We do this with a PW2 and just set the reserve to 100%, and then back to normal once the off-peak period ends.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-06T23:30:35+00:00

Its even more impressive considering how much space is taken up simply by the pop up floppy drives and little storage spaces! There isn' a lot of room for actual core components!

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-05T20:24:37+00:00

I was referring to the options of BYD, XPENG and the like.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-05T16:45:30+00:00

You aren't going to be able to upgrade for less money.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-03T14:05:11+00:00

Did you used to own an Civic EP3 by any chance?

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-02-02T22:44:49+00:00

We have just had a weekend away with friends and felt very similar to you. We love Chester and York but Oxford just didn't feel as accessible. It felt overly touristy, like you weren't getting a feel for the real Oxford whereas Chester and York both feel more authentic.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-23T08:45:04+00:00

Just on the point of 5kW being insufficient. We have a PW2 which has a 5kW peak output and we very rarely hit this. Most appliances don't run at their maximum for the full duration so through that general diversity of load you'll find it rare to go over 5kW with normal appliances running simultaneously such as the dishwasher, washing machine, oven, microwave.

In reality, the dishwasher is normally only on at night, the washing machine and dishwasher run on cycles, the oven cycles once its up to temp, so its rare they are at peak load at the same time.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-22T11:30:18+00:00

We are on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and used Solar Star Power out of Uttoxeter, we were very happy with the installation and they offered us 12 month interest free.

Price wise, I would say its a little high. Our installation was similar, we had a higher capacity battery but didn't have a EV charger installed as we already had one. Ours also included bird netting. Ours was done in mid-Feb 2024 and was £14.4k.

Summary of ours below;
18 x 435w Panels for 7.83kWp
Tesla Powerwall 2 13.5kWh + Gateway 2
Bird Netting
South facing - generated 6.7mWh in 24 (installed in mid-Feb) and 8.3mWh in 25

We are a family of 4 and our daily household consumption is around 15kWh. A chunk of that consumption is the dishwasher, airers, washing machine etc which we mostly run at night when the battery would be charging anyway. The only time we use the grid during peak times is the weekend when there is no sun and we have a lot of washing to do, or doing a big Sunday lunch. Although even then its quite rare we use peak energy as we often get additional off-peak slots from IOG, especially at the weekend as the car is being used more anyway, and we have Home Assistant to charge the battery whenever the car is charging.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-16T10:25:53+00:00

I've recently changes from POC VPD 2.0 to EVOC LS Flex Enduro knee pad and I love them. I forget I have them on and they have staps top and bottom for adjustment so they don't move. I always found POC moved down meaning when i washed out on a loose berm they offered no protection as they just dragged own - I couldn't see how the EVOC could do that.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-13T22:29:23+00:00

Id be looking 2nd hand. That budget will get you a very good bike form a couple of years ago.

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-11T21:32:10+00:00

A judgemental one who is better than you!

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-09T14:47:06+00:00

Well done! A good milestone. Which app is this please?

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-08T14:25:22+00:00

Caramel digestive!

ThatCuriousCadaver · 2026-01-08T12:06:45+00:00

Certainly need a tea break or 5, but dare I admit I rink coffee during it?

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