TNB Normal vs Time of Use: Which Fits a Solar Home?
Time of Use can help some households, but it is not automatically cheaper for every solar home. The decision depends on when electricity is imported, when solar is available, smart-meter eligibility and whether flexible loads can move away from the weekday peak window.
Understand the published time windows
TNB’s published residential Time of Use information sets weekday off-peak from 10pm to 2pm and weekday peak from 2pm to 10pm, with weekends treated as off-peak throughout the day for eligible customers. Confirm the latest rate and eligibility directly with TNB before changing tariff.
Solar does not remove the need to study imports
Rooftop solar can reduce imports during daylight, but evening air-conditioning, cooking, hot water and EV charging may still sit inside the peak period. A household that exports at noon and imports heavily after 6pm can have a different result from a home with strong daytime occupancy.
Use bill data, not one-day impressions
Review at least several normal months and separate weekdays from weekends. Note the times for major loads and any planned EV. If smart-meter interval data is available, use it. Compare the estimated bill under Normal and Time of Use after solar, while keeping the same realistic consumption assumptions.
Questions to answer before switching
- How much electricity is imported between 2pm and 10pm on weekdays?
- Can laundry, water heating, pumps or EV charging move to off-peak or stronger solar hours?
- Will the household maintain the new schedule in practice?
- Are AFA and other bill items modelled separately?
Read the daytime self-consumption guide before relying on appliance timers. HOMI can compare both scenarios using the actual bill and routine.
Frequently asked questions
What are the residential Time of Use periods?
The published schedule is off-peak from 10pm to 2pm on weekdays, peak from 2pm to 10pm on weekdays, and off-peak all day on weekends, subject to current TNB terms.
Do I need a smart meter?
TNB indicates Time of Use availability for eligible smart-meter customers. Confirm current eligibility with TNB.
Will solar make peak-period imports disappear?
Not necessarily. Late-afternoon and evening loads may still require TNB imports.
This article reflects official information checked on 1 August 2026 and is general guidance. Programme rules, tariff treatment, approval and actual savings remain subject to the latest PETRA, SEDA, Energy Commission and TNB requirements plus the property bill, roof and usage pattern.
Official sources
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