Welcome to the future of home energy management. For too long, UK homeowners have been stuck paying one flat rate for electricity, regardless of when they use it.
But with the rise of smart meters and a growing push towards a greener grid, a new generation of energy tariffs has arrived: Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs.
For Wil-lec Group, the trusted local experts and North East Lincolnshire's longest-serving solar and battery installer, these tariffs represent the perfect opportunity to show homeowners how much more control—and savings—they can achieve by pairing them with a home solar and battery system.
Here is your essential guide to understanding the latest ToU tariffs and how a smart energy storage solution from Wil-lec Group is the key to unlocking maximum savings.
Time-of-Use tariffs, also known as multi-rate tariffs, charge you different rates for your electricity depending on the time of day.
The principle is simple: when demand on the National Grid is low (usually overnight), the electricity is cheaper. When demand is high (the "peak hours," typically 4 pm–7 pm), the electricity is significantly more expensive.
To take advantage of these tariffs, you need a smart meter, which accurately records your consumption throughout the day.
While classic tariffs like Economy 7 are still around, the market is evolving rapidly. The latest tariffs fall into these key categories:
| Tariff Type | Key Feature | Typical Schedule |
| Economy 7/10 | Fixed, legacy rates. Economy 7 offers 7 hours off-peak; Economy 10 offers 10 hours (usually split into three blocks). | Typically 12 am–7 am (Economy 7), but varies. |
| Smart ToU Tariffs | Set peak, off-peak, and "shoulder" (mid-rate) periods. | Specific times set by the supplier (e.g., Octopus Energy, OVO Energy). |
| Dynamic Tariffs | Rates and times change daily or hourly based on real-time grid conditions and wholesale prices. | Highly flexible, often requiring automated smart technology. |
| EV Tariffs | Dedicated ToU rates for electric vehicle charging, encouraging cheap overnight charging. | Off-peak rates often cover overnight hours (e.g., 12:30 am–4:30 am). |
On paper, ToU tariffs sound like a great deal—just run your dishwasher overnight, right?
However, if you have to use a lot of power during peak hours (cooking dinner, running the shower pump, charging an EV after work), the high peak rates can easily wipe out your overnight savings.
This is where solar panels and battery storage installed by Wil-lec Group become indispensable.
A standard solar panel installation helps you avoid buying expensive daytime energy. However, solar production drops to zero just as the peak tariff period (4 pm–7 pm) often begins.
The Solution: Solar Panels + Battery Storage
A home battery captures surplus solar energy generated during the day. When the clock hits 4 pm and the peak rates kick in, your home switches seamlessly to the stored, self-generated solar power, allowing you to use your oven, TV, and lights for free, completely bypassing the most expensive grid electricity.
A smart battery system offers flexibility beyond solar. Many modern systems can be configured to interact directly with ToU tariffs.
The Solution: Grid Charging at Off-Peak Times
With a system installed by Wil-lec Group, you can set your battery to import and charge using the ultra-low rate electricity during the designated off-peak window (e.g., 12 am–4 am). You are effectively buying energy at wholesale prices.
Then, during the expensive peak evening hours, your home runs off the battery power you purchased cheaply, potentially saving you 60-80% compared to buying that same electricity from the grid at the peak rate.
Combining a Time-of-Use tariff with a Wil-lec Group solar and battery system transforms your home into a sophisticated energy management hub:
To ensure you get the highest quality products and seamless integration with the latest energy plans, the Wil-lec Group are certified experts. We are proud Tesla Powerwall 3 Partners, Givenergy Platinum Certified Installers, and authorised Sigenergy Installers, giving you access to the best battery technology on the market. Furthermore, as an Octopus Energy Approved Partner, we can ensure your new system is perfectly set up to leverage their market-leading smart and dynamic tariffs for maximum financial benefit.
In the rapidly changing UK energy market, simply installing solar panels is no longer enough. To truly benefit from the latest ToU and dynamic tariffs, battery storage is essential. It is the automated manager that ensures you are always using the cheapest energy available, whether it's free from your roof or cheap from the grid.
Don't let the complexity of new energy tariffs mean higher bills. Wil-lec Group specializes in installing smart solar and battery systems that are configured to work seamlessly with all the latest UK Time-of-Use tariffs.
Contact Wil-lec Group today for a free, no-obligation survey and find out how much you could save by making your home a smart energy storage powerhouse.