What Does Off-Peak Mean for Solar System Owners?
When are Off-Peak Electricity Hours?
You can generally expect off-peak demand hours to be from approximately 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. (the next day) in the summer months. Winter months sometimes see two off-peak periods in a day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the next day). However, it’s important to note these hours can vary by time zone and region.
Since off-peak electricity hours are determined by electricity supply and demand, there isn’t a sure way of telling outside of your utility company’s specific plan.
For example, Duke Energy in North Carolina lists its off-peak hours as:
- Summer off-peak hours—between 8 p.m. and 11 a.m.
- Winter off-peak hours—between 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Another utility company in North Carolina, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, lists their hours differently:
- Summer off-peak hours—between 7 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Winter off-peak hours—between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Both utility companies list these hours for Monday through Friday only, and as you can see, each plan has its own variations. It is important for solar panel owners to understand their utility company’s designated off-peak hours to take advantage of electricity savings.
