Solar panels can produce more electricity than a home needs on sunny days, and using this extra power effectively can lead to big savings on energy bills. According to Phil Steele, a future technologies evangelist at Octopus Energy, a typical UK home could cut its annual electricity costs by more than 40% with solar panels, especially when paired with a home battery. These savings come from using electricity when solar panels are generating the most power, such as running energy-intensive appliances like washing machines or dishwashers during the day instead of the evening. Another way to use surplus solar energy is to heat water during peak solar hours. Steele uses a heat pump to generate hot water in the middle of the day, when solar panels are at their most productive. Households with a hot-water cylinder can also use a solar diverter, a device that sends extra electricity to an immersion heater, effectively using solar power to heat water without needing to draw from the grid. Charging an electric vehicle (EV) during the day can also make good use of extra solar power. Some EV chargers and home energy systems can adjust their charging based on the amount of solar electricity available. Steele, for example, can choose whether the solar energy goes to his home battery or his car, helping him manage his energy use more efficiently. Storing excess solar electricity in a home battery can help bridge the gap between when solar panels generate the most power and when household demand is low. However, the financial benefits of a battery depend on several factors, including its cost, capacity, the size of the solar system, and the household's overall electricity consumption. Monitoring solar generation through apps or online dashboards can help users understand when their panels are producing the most electricity. Real-time monitoring can also show how changes in weather, like cloud cover, affect solar output, as Steele noticed a significant drop in generation within a minute on a partly cloudy day. Finally, sunny days are a good time to check if solar panels are working properly. If generation is unusually low compared to past performance, it could indicate issues like shading, debris, or system problems. While it might be tempting to clean or inspect panels oneself, it is generally recommended to consult a professional for maintenance rather than attempting it without proper training.