Tariff mode

Tariff mode is a battery or inverter operating mode that uses electricity tariff periods or rates to guide when the battery charges, holds or discharges. In product interfaces it may appear as time-of-use mode, TOU mode or a tariff-aware setting rather than the exact phrase tariff mode. The control may use fixed time slots, rate-plan information, smart forecasting or manually configured peak and off-peak periods, depending on the product. In a home battery system it can be used to charge from solar or cheaper off-peak grid electricity, hold charge for a later expensive period or discharge when grid import would otherwise cost more. The term should be read as an operating-control label, not as a guarantee of lower bills, automatic smart-tariff compatibility, export payment eligibility, grid-trading permission or backup power.