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Timing charging and other electricity use around price swings on the grid.
Photo Credit: Reddit
A homeowner’s new rooftop solar setup is doing more than generating electricity — it is also helping track exactly when power is cheapest and how close the home comes to operating at net zero.
In a post on Reddit, the original poster described a home energy setup built around a custom app, two Teslas, and a roughly 9-kilowatt solar array that was installed at the end of May.
To reduce costs, the household said it is using energy arbitrage — timing charging and other electricity use around price swings on the grid — after recently adding a 9-kilowatt system to a home with two electric vehicles.
Charging information in the app dates back to late April, the homeowner said, while solar tracking starts at the end of May. They also wrote that they “built an app that tracks the price of electricity, and then provides us a snapshot of how much our net solar export/import costs are, as well as how much it truly costs to charge.”
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To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy, especially for households that can pair rooftop generation with EV charging. If you’re curious what that could look like for your home, EnergySage offers free tools to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
Commenters also got into the practical details of the installation, including roof setback requirements for the array. At the same time, one person said it was “fully inspected and approved by the municipality,” while another praised the “clean panel layout.”
Rather than just trimming a utility bill, the system is helping offset the household’s electricity use and the cost of charging two EVs, which can significantly reduce both fuel and power expenses over time.
The homeowner said, “It’s pretty cool to think that, for at least 4 months out of the year, our house and two cars are practically net zero.”
FROM OUR PARTNER
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
It also reflects a broader trend: Homeowners are no longer just installing panels and hoping for savings. More people are using apps, time-of-use rates, and smart charging habits to get more value from every kilowatt-hour they produce.
If you’re interested in making a similar switch, EnergySage can help you go solar with free tools that let you curate competitive bids from local installers without them obtaining any of your contact information unless you choose to work with one further. That can make it easier to compare options without added pressure.
EnergySage’s free services can also make the shopping process much more affordable: with EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. 
Readers can also use EnergySage’s solar map, which shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with solar panel incentives for each state. Together, these resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. To explore home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates, check out EnergySage and its free tools.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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