Definition
An electricity pricing structure where the cost per kWh varies by time of day. Peak hours (afternoon/evening) cost more; off-peak hours (night) cost less. Solar owners on TOU plans benefit from battery storage to shift solar production to high-rate periods.
Related Solar Terms
- Photovoltaic (PV)
The technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconduc...
- Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts. Residential solar systems are t...
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
A unit of electrical energy equal to one kilowatt of power sustained for one hou...
- Net Metering
A billing arrangement where excess solar electricity sent to the grid earns cred...
- Inverter
A device that converts the DC (direct current) electricity produced by solar pan...
Understanding solar terminology helps you communicate more effectively with installers and evaluate quotes accurately. Use our solar cost database to find fair prices for any solar service.