How Smart Charging, Solar, and the Right Tariff Slashed Our Client's Energy Bill

At Wil-lec Group, we enjoy helping our clients take control of their energy costs and transition to more sustainable living. We recently completed an exciting project that perfectly illustrates the power of combining smart technology, renewable energy, and the right energy tariff.

We had the pleasure of installing a new Hypervolt Electric Vehicle Charger for a client. Shortly after the installation, they took delivery of their brand new electric car. But they didn't stop there – they immediately made a strategic move to optimise their energy usage and costs.

Their first step? Switching to the Octopus Energy Intelligent Go tariff.

The Power of the Right EV Tariff

The Octopus Energy Intelligent Go tariff is specifically designed for EV owners and offers significant savings by providing a dedicated cheap rate window for charging. In our client's case, they benefit from an incredibly low rate of just 7p per kWh between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am.

This six-hour window is more than enough time to fully charge most electric vehicles overnight, ensuring the car is ready for a long commute or journey the next day, all at a fraction of the standard daytime cost.

But our savvy clients didn't just use this for their car. To maximise the benefits, they also strategically shifted the operation of high-energy-consuming appliances like their dishwasher and washing machine to run during this same cheap overnight period.

Integrating Solar PV: Earning While You Save

Adding another layer of savings, our clients also have a small solar panel system installed by Wil-lec Group a couple of years ago. This system generates clean electricity during the day. While they use some of this free solar energy themselves, any excess is automatically exported back to the national grid.

Under their current setup, they receive a generous 15p per kWh for every unit of electricity they sell back. This turns their roof into a mini power station, actively reducing their overall energy expenditure and even generating income.

The Stunning Results: £5.46 for a Week's Electricity!

The combination of smart EV charging on a low overnight rate, shifting appliance usage, and exporting excess solar energy back to the grid has led to truly remarkable results.

We recently looked at their energy data for a typical week (6th May 2025 – 12th May 2025). Here’s a breakdown of their energy performance and costs:

• Total electricity import: 109.8 kWh
• Average import unit rate: 13.58p/kWh (£2.13 per day)
• Total import cost: £14.90 (inc VAT)
• Total electricity export: 89.5 kWh
• Average export unit rate: 15.00p/kWh (£1.92 per day)
• Total export gain: £13.43 (inc VAT)
• Standing Charge: £3.99 (inc VAT for the week)
• Total Electricity Cost for the Week: £5.46 (inc 5% VAT), or just £0.78 per day!

In this particular week, despite driving 250 miles in their new electric car, their net electricity cost for the entire week was an astonishingly low £5.46! This figure includes the weekly standing charge. You can see how the £13.43 earned from exporting solar power significantly offset their import costs of £14.90.

This case study powerfully demonstrates how investing in renewable energy, smart technology like EV chargers, and choosing the right energy tariff can lead to substantial, real-world savings on your household bills.

Ready to Start Your Energy Saving Journey?

Inspired by our client's success? Whether you're considering an electric vehicle, looking to install solar panels, need an EV charger, or want advice on optimizing your home energy, the Wil-lec Group team is here to help.

We can help you understand your options and design a system that works for your needs and budget, just like we did for this client.

Want to find out how Wil-lec Group can help you reduce your energy costs?

Call us today on 01472 241881

Visit our website to learn more about our services: www.wil-lec.co.uk