Now that TOU was mentioned..

On the average of 26-30+ units I import per day, about 17-22 used from 10pm onwards to 8am+. Daytime after 2pm sometimes open 2.5hp air-cond from 3-6 hours depending on heat but my solar took up at least 1/2 to 2/3 or even all the amount depending on how long we on the aircond. Like that, its pretty obvious for me, TOU seems to be better for solar users even if used air-cond between 2pm to 10pm where the heat usually comes hottest.

Off peak is 2.6cents cheaper and peak is 1.49cents more expensive. So if offpeak usage consist of more than half of the import, and the fact that off peak is 1.11 cents lesser than peak..Its pretty clear TOU will be better. At least at a glance from now based on my previous usage records.

For rough avg, I just take avg 30 units per day. 20 units offpeak, 10 units peak for my avg usage based on above. Assuming I no balance left in avg.

Normal rates cents 27.03, TOU peak 28.52, off peak, 24.43
Weekend for TOU off peak is 8 days per 30 days, 22 days TOU.

For normal rates, that will be RM8.109 per day x 30 days = RM243.27

For TOU, that will be peak (RM2.852 per day x 22 days=62.744), off peak (RM4.886 per day x 22 days=107.492), weekend (RM7.329 per day x 8 days=58.632)
Total = RM228.87

That will be RM14.4 savings per month vs without TOU


If I calculate more conservative with more peak hour usage from 30 units
Avg 30 units per day. 17 units offpeak, 13 units peak for my avg usage based on above. Assuming I no balance left in avg.

For normal rates, that will be RM8.109 per day x 30 days = RM243.27

For TOU, that will be peak (RM3.7076 per day x 22 days=81.5672), off peak (RM4.1531 per day x 22 days=91.3682), weekend (RM7.329 per day x 8 days=58.632)
Total = RM231.57

That will be RM11.70 savings vs without TOU.

Either way, with my solar, I think I will be better on TOU even during conservative calculation. However if min solar on certain days, the savings will drop but I think at most will break even with high chances of better savings from TOU vs normal rates.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jun 23 2025, 10:56 AM

I wonder if TNB can accept ToU application now?
I figure even if I get 50/50 peak vs non peak, it will still be cheaper as non peak is cheaper by 1.11cents per unit vs peak units.

Then when includes weekends where everyone is home on daytime, even cheaper vs standard rate.

The long hour of non peak (16 hours from 10pm next day 2pm) is where most of us used air-conds at night till morn and washing machine. The shorter 8 hours peak have solar power to take of the major loads if air-cond is used.

Now I just wonder how they gonna calculate our solar export if we opted for TOU...at what rate?

For standard one, its easy, they can just use the standard rate for import and export but what about ToU, when solar export, calculate at standard rate?

Maybe wait 1 or 2 more months, see how solar export rates are calculated first for those subscribing to ToU.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jun 23 2025, 03:39 PM

Ya, just reduced our export value by 40%.

We just got screwed if this is true... . Now pray pray it is not..

However the tools are based on assumption without fact yet.

If really end up like this, the NEM solar industry will freeze death right away.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jun 24 2025, 02:48 PM

No official announcement yet, so don't know worth or not.

If NEM export include all the charges similar to import, then ok.'
If new NEM export only calculate Energy rates and did not include the rest (Capacity, Network, AFA, etc), then it will almost halves the export value vs the import making solar installation cost not worth it .

Exception is those that used up most of the solar generation during daytime with very minimal export to TNB. That one, NEM or not, still ok.

There is no news yet on solar export based on ToU.

If we are to assume that even with ToU, the export will be still be based on standard non-ToU rates, then ppl like me will still have some savings.
Based on my household pattern of usage, we imported about avg 30 units daily, Of this about 22 units is used up between 10pm to 2pm.

If using ToU, can save at least extra RM11 per month without trying. Not much but that can buy at least 4 packs packs of RM2.50 Nasi Lemak...hahaha.

Still I will hold on for another month or 2 to see the actual export billing rates and current consumption pattern, see worth it to even bother do ToU or not.

Anyone tried applying ToU through email?

Thinking doing it via email since my usage are heavy on 10pm to 2pm non peak hour. 2/3 of the total usage coz daytime usage almost contra with solar already.

Ya, I tracked my daily estimates...appx 30% peak and 70% off-peak.

Based on my last month usage of Export 766 and import 864. About RM3 differences only. Based on my earlier month.....RM1+ difference only.

So in general ToU not much difference if the import and export don't differ much.

But the weekends daytime peak hour air-cond usage not separated. So that should increase the difference a bit.

However my household do have a day or 2 Work from Home. Sure daytime switch air-cond more even with solar generation, the micro-inverters unlike string inverters are hooked to only 1 phase each. So other phase solar cannot help the air-cond phase if usage of air-cond is more than solar generated.

Still got cheaper,....One year saving can go minum 1 cup starbuck at most, maybe a RM10 drink. Haha.

Just applied ToU via email just now only I got this figure...haiz.. Waste my time only. Really difference too small to see. Can buy 1 set kopitiam bread and coffee after a year saving via ToU..haha..

Anyway looking at the calculator, the NEM got a insentif penyelerasan that negate the insentive off in NEM.
On surface, the formula looked like

It takes the TNB import kwh to get the EEI rate, aka 864 is 0.01=RM8.64. By using this 0.01 rate, they reverse the EEI using the export kwh 766, aka RM7.66 to decrease our export value. They really not giving us EEI for imported power from solar. Fair enuf.

Anyway, the tables in TNB all pay less with new billing up to 1000 kwh looks so nice. But with all those rates included, the RM38 bill last month become 68 this month...so still increase in reality.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jul 14 2025, 05:04 PM

Import 864 unit, export 766 unit.

"It takes the TNB import kwh to get the EEI rate, aka 864 is 0.01=RM8.64. By using this 0.01 rate, they reverse the EEI using the export kwh 766, aka RM7.66 to decrease our export value. They really not giving us EEI for imported power from solar. Fair enuf."

So for above figure, if we used more than we generate, we still got discount of RM0.98.

If you solar generation is more than your import, then you have no EEI discount.
So for NEM subscriber, EEI discount should only work for those that generated solar is not enuf to cover the monthly usage.

For 850 to 1000 kwh NEM user like me, the EEI impact is not as high as it is reach the rate of only 0.01 and 0.005 per Kw. Also my generated solar is not enuf for my usage (due to maxed out, roof space with not so great facing and angles).

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jul 16 2025, 01:34 PM

That is the reverse the EEI discount given during import.

Ya, the ToU might have a bit a problem there.

I just heard peak export unit can only be used to contra peak hour import. Non peak hour export can only be use to contra non-peak hour import.

If that is TRUE, my non-peak hour import is 70% of my total amt used but most of my panels are facing west aka morning generation to noon is not that strong.

From 2pm to 5pm, it normally generate a lots. That means I "might" have a lot of balance in peak hour export and used little on that (coz peak hour in daytime mostly direct from solar). So only after 6+ to 10pm, can use these peak hours import.

The scenario might become, I have way more peak hour balance that cannot be use to contra the non peak hour (70%) usage. That might turn the ToU to a substantial loss if this happen vs normal rate.

I just got an email my ToU going to activate in 5 days time. I calculate sure got saving no matter what, even got at least RM1 garantee savings if use ToU BUT never consider the peak hour export can only be use for peak hour...

I think lock in period is 6 months. Regret so fast email. So for those on the fence, don't do it first...calculate your peak hour generation and peak hour estimated usage...if not wait suddenly got tens and hundreds units of extra export and cannot be use for your own import due to peak hour separation.

Now the advantage of full day and weekend non-peak hours turn out almost like scam for NEM users like me. That is only meant for non solar users. Imagine seeing you got extra exports and yet, full day in weekends and holidays, you have to use your own imports albeit at cheaper rates but those extra peak hour exports is going to be burn...might turn out paying more.

That is if the peak hour export only for peak hour import is true.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Jul 23 2025, 09:16 AM

Look from another perspective, there is 376kwh that you used up during daytime that you need not pay SST and not included into your import that will raise you kwh to above 1200kwh thus eliminating incentive. It also save you 1.6% KWTBB tax of the 376 units.

This can add up over time.

My old stay at home mom cannot tahan hot thus switch on the living room aircond from 1+ to 2pm until 9pm. Why 9pm also on, comfort, old liao. I guess wasting near RM200 to avoid her suffering from heat, humidity and discomfort, the RM200 is well spend.

So at least a third or more of my solar gen goes direct into daytime usage and not going into TNB calculation.

I am on ToU since 24th July, no bill after 24th yet but got 1st to 23rd standard bill. The bill charge full sst on my 666 unit import with RM21 tax instead of RM2 coz falls below 28 days. Their bill cannot accommodate combination of Standard Rate and ToU, so by default, they just auto charge full SST based on below 28 days, on all my import instead of just 66 (above 600). Haiz..Start ToU already lost money liao..haha.

oh btw, I emailed TNB will ToU application on 14th July. 24th July activated ToU contract. So my current standard bill stop at 23rd. 24th ToU bill takda yet.

My offpeak usage is about 70%...so hopefully if they total export without differentiating peak or not and then deduct peak hour first, then off peak, the ToU might still work for me especially during weekends where air-cond usage are high due to everyone at home. Wait see 2 months bills first and compare with standard billing.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Aug 4 2025, 04:26 PM

It depends how much you use on peak and off peak hours. My usage is 30:70 on peak vs off peak.

Actually my peak usage during daytime is way more (my mom use air-cond from 1-2pm onwards) but the solar directly contra off most of it before exporting remaining balance.
Plus late evening till 10pm usage, its 30% of my grand total usage.

During weekends and public holidays where most ppl at home at use air-cond during daytime, it's fully off-peak pricing.

The export don't really care if it is generated peak or off-peak, the export will deduct the peak import usage first, the off-peak. That I think is a good thing for us.

Since my off-peak import is way more than peak import, technically, I am only charged the remaining balance on the off-peak rate since peak usage is contra off by the NEM.

So if your off-peak import is more than peak import, it is actually worth it to do ToU, especially if like you are in the category like me where IMPORT is higher than solar export and I need to pay extra every month, likely you will only paying the off-peak rates for the extra units.

Some company like mine warranty claim no charge BUT labour to dismantle and change got charge.
Also many worried in solar company close shop, who gonna respond to the warranty claim.

So it is nice to get long warranty but the problem is the company handling the warranty sure got labour charge especially if need skylift and most importantly, if company close shop, who gonna handle the warranty claim. Many company no want to handle warranty claim that was installed by other company not related to theirs.

Solar panels also need maintenance once in a while, the cost do adds up but depends on usage, for me, either break even after 10 years or will earn a couple of years of free solar. Better than no solar especially since daytime, my parent also use air cond, the solar daytime generation contra that. Worth it.

Also warranty for PV if spoil but does not cover degradation over the years, sure the performance will drop.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Aug 15 2025, 10:55 AM

Unless need to change defective panels, in most cases, changing micro-inverter no need skylift, they can remove or lift the panels by themselves.

My ToU activated on 23rd July. Got a bill with 100% sst up to 23rd July. Surprisingly even tho bill up to 23rd, the calculation only up to 22nd.

The next bill by end of July is one with ToU starting from 24th to 31st July. Accurate. The problem is 23rd reading still missing, not in previous bill, not in latest ToU bill. Aiyo on that day, I actually has more export than import. So 23rd figure (import/export) missing from all bills tho that day reading is listed in website. Not a big deal.

I got my August bill now with ToU and NEM. Billing is correct. My peak and offpeak usage is appx 30:70 ratio.

1. If compare with standard rate, my ToU is cheaper by RM14.57 without including NEM deduction. Just purely compare with only Import figure (solar daytime usage deducted) NEM export not included.

2. If compare standard rate with ToU for non NEM users (no solar installed thus my daytime solar usage of over 300 units added into peak hours usage), the ToU is cheaper by RM9.80.

3. If compare standard rate with ToU with full NEM deduction included, ToU is still cheaper by RM4.13. (This is the real saving for standard rate vs ToU with full NEM deduction).

Surprisingly once included the NEM deduction, the savings is actually the smallest. So for comparison of standard rate vs ToU, non NEM users seems to have better saving over NEM users.

My calculation is based on that my solar gen is lesser than my usage thus I will have to pay about 124 units for August. Advantage of NEM here is the 124 units will be based on off peak rates coz NEM deduction will always contra off the peak rate first, then if still go balance, it will proceed to deduct off peak units. Thus my paid import will likely always be based on off peak rate of the ToU. (This is based on peak usage always less than off peak, coz if not, should not have sign ToU).

This post has been edited by Cavino: Sep 2 2025, 07:56 PM

If you read the above posts, it is TnB issue. I think especially for those activating in August. What for bill correction. My ToU activated on July seems to have correct billing.

If they keep the current NEM deduction calculation, it is still feasible to go ToU for solar users coz technically they deduct the peak usage first regardless of when it is exported. During the holidays and weekends, usage is all in off peak rate (weekend day usage with multiple air-conds on hot day is pretty high for me).

However if they change to Peak Export can only be use for Peak Import and Off Peak export can only be use for Off Peak Import. Peak Export cannot be contra off for Off Peak Import that is initially rumoured (actually stated somewhere in TnB faq then), then ToU is not only not worth it, it might also be detrimental for NEM user to subscribe to ToU.

This is because most of our generation will likely be during Peak Period with peak usage contra off from direct solar generation. So with most of our solar generation exports accumulated during Peak Period, if cannot be use for off-peak usage where most household usage especially night air-cond users is in at night till morning, solar users will not only not benefit from ToU, it will be likely be a major loss where off peak import adds up with peak export sitting there and yet cannot contra them off. May as well stay with standard rates where all exports can be use for all imports.

So hopefully they keep to current calculation for NEM deduction aka deduct 100% Peak Import first then only follow by Off Peak Import deduction regardless of when it is exported.
However for my calculation in previous post, it will not be much but can still save up to 2 cups of starbuck in 1 year for me...haha.

But if they implemented the peak export can be use only for peak import, then I will be discontinuing ToU.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Sep 3 2025, 08:45 AM

Can lar...at least for now. The main reason I sign in so fast for ToU is because TnB ensure this ToU it can revert back to Standard Rate at any time.
Will lose RM10 stamping fee and probably 1 month of value difference.

If I did not do ToU, I would not know my actual Peak and Off Peak actual import usage. The ToU subscription showed me the actual pattern of my usage. Even if I switch back to standard, the point of view has done its job and gave me a peak of my usage pattern if based on ToU rather than always wondering if I do ToU, what will the total be like vs Standard Rate.

I already can see that without solar panel, due to my family members aka parent using air-cond during daytime, my peak usage is almost same with my off peak usage.
The solar direct usage absorb almost all the daytime usage with remaining half of my peak period usage coming from 6pm+ to 10pm, where we have dinner, mom switch on air-cond again.

With solar panel absorbing half of the peak usage, I can achieve 30:70 peak and off peak usage ratio that is beneficial when calculating using ToU.

So if import > export and peak usage > off peak usage, ToU for NEM is worthwhile over long term if TNB does not do any UTurn on current calculation.

What bee88 fear is just that, TnB doing uTurn down the line which is very very possible. Coz I read TnB faq about peak export can only be used for peak import and cannot be use for off peak import. Now they do this favourable to us 100% peak import deduction first regardless of when it was exported...

So TnB can sort of uTurn the current calculation at any time and revert to the original screwed FaQ one.

Anyway for now, I know for sure ToU does benefit me long term but be prepare to lose some money first aka RM10 stamping fee and the bloody full SST charges of my over 600 units of usage coz they cut off at 23 days for me and bill me full SST charges on ALL the units imported. The already earned on your first bill before switching to ToU...hehe.

This post has been edited by Cavino: Sep 3 2025, 12:46 PM

You need to check if your current air-cond using what type of gas.

If still using the old R22, then you need change air-cond gas piping liao coz the newer gas R32 or even the currently being superseded R410A gas, both need higher pressure thus R22 piping must be changed. Their piping are of bigger size.

Most of air-cond nowadays using R32 gas. R32 gas piping is also NOT compatible with R410A gas piping.

So beside needing bigger pipe for higher hp, changing to different gas piping also can affect this especially changing from smaller R22 gas piping.

All my home air-conds all converted over the years to Daikin Inverter aircond, from 1.5hp to 2.5hp. No hissing gas sound. If got, that means gas leaking..