Peak Shaving
Using batteries or load management to reduce maximum power demand during peak hours, lowering demand charges (for commercial) or maximizing TOU savings (for residential).
Why It Matters
Peak shaving is the primary economic use case for commercial batteries and increasingly for residential batteries on TOU rates or with demand charges.
Related Terms
Demand Charge
A utility charge based on your peak power usage (measured in kW) during a billing period, common for commercial customers.
Load Shifting
Moving electricity consumption from one time period to another — typically from expensive peak hours to cheaper off-peak hours — using timers, smart controls, or batteries.
Battery Storage
A system that stores excess solar energy for use when the sun isn't shining, providing backup power during outages.