Soaring energy bills, reaching a staggering £755 in a single month, prompted a drastic rethink of home energy consumption for one family. Faced with unsustainable costs despite implementing energy-saving measures like new windows and improved insulation, they explored solutions to drastically reduce their reliance on the national grid. This article details their journey in upgrading their home energy system, weighing the pros and cons of various options before committing to a significant investment in solar panels and battery storage. The decision wasn't taken lightly, considering factors like cost, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.Their exploration covers the selection of a reputable installer, choosing between different solar panel and battery technologies, and navigating the installation process. The narrative provides a detailed account of their decision-making process, including the specific products chosen and the rationale behind those choices. Ultimately, their goal was to significantly lower their energy bills, increase their home's value, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future. This article offers a valuable insight into the practicalities and financial considerations of installing a home solar and battery storage system.
Pros And Cons
- LFP chemistry (no cobalt).
- Less degradation in theory.
- IP65 rated (suitable for outdoor use).
- 20 kWh system (two 10.1 kWh batteries in parallel) was cost-competitive with a smaller Tesla Powerwall 3.
- Cheaper to expand the system later.
- 8000 cycle life (guaranteed to retain >80% capacity after 8000 full charge/discharge cycles).
- No gateway (cannot go completely off-grid during power outages).
- Only powers one circuit in the house during power outages.
- Stops working in extremely cold temperatures.
- Great reputation and many five-star reviews across multiple platforms.
- Honest and open about potential issues; actively works to resolve problems.
- Offers detailed quotes and answers customer questions patiently.
- Provides interest-free finance up to 3 years.
- Uses REA Fusion 2 panels (exclusive to Heatable in the UK) with a 25-year warranty, and reportedly performs well in low light.
- Offers MCS accreditation (necessary for energy export) and HIES membership (insurance-backed warranty).
- 2-year insurance-backed warranty on installations.
- Nationwide service with trusted installers in various areas.
- Installation cost is high (£18,990 for a 13.5kW solar system with 20.2kWh battery storage in this example).
- Designed and engineered in Australia.
- Use Japanese cells.
- 25-year warranty.
- Perform well in low light and cloud cover.
- Amazing package, considered a no-brainer by some.
- Has a gateway allowing for complete off-grid functionality during power outages.
- Integrated heater enabling use in minus temperatures.
- More expensive than Alpha ESS G3 for comparable capacity.
- Less cost effective to expand the system later.
Read more: OUKITEL P2001 PLUS Review: Best Budget Portable Power Station?
The High Cost of Electric Heating
Our recent move to a bungalow with electric radiators brought a shocking reality: sky-high energy bills. January's bill reached a staggering £755, and our total electricity expenditure from October to December exceeded £1170. This unsustainable spending demanded a solution.
We implemented several energy-saving measures, including new windows, reduced conservatory use, and improved insulation. However, these efforts proved insufficient to curb the escalating costs.
Choosing Solar Panels and Battery Storage
Faced with escalating energy bills, we weighed two significant options: a heat pump or a solar panel system with battery storage. After careful consideration, we opted for the latter.
Our decision was driven by the desire to significantly reduce reliance on the grid, especially during peak morning hours when our electric radiators consume the most energy. A battery allows us to utilize cheaper off-peak electricity.
Selecting a Reputable Installer: Heatable
Choosing the right installer was paramount. Extensive research led us to Heatable, a company with a strong reputation and excellent customer reviews across various platforms like Trustpilot and Google.
Their transparency, even showcasing instances where things went wrong, impressed us. Their willingness to address issues and provide detailed answers to our numerous questions further solidified our choice.
System Components and Choices
For the solar panels, we selected REA Fusion 2 by Bifacial Panels, known for their performance even in low-light conditions, a crucial factor in the UK climate.
A key decision was whether to opt for traditional DC or micro-inverter systems. Although micro-inverters offer advantages in terms of shading and energy conversion, their higher cost led us to choose a traditional DC system.
Battery Selection: Tesla Powerwall vs. Alpha ESS
The battery choice was another critical decision. Heatable primarily recommends Tesla Powerwall 3 and Alpha ESS G3 due to their reliability and support. We considered factors like off-grid capabilities, cold weather performance, and cost.
Ultimately, the cost-effectiveness and scalability of the Alpha ESS G3, offering a higher usable capacity at a lower price point, tipped the balance in its favor. Both are LFP batteries, known for longer lifespans and reduced environmental impact.
Installation Process and Future Plans
The installation process began with a survey to confirm battery placement, cable routing, and system measurements. We opted for exterior battery placement due to the high temperatures in our garage.
The G99 application for grid connection was surprisingly fast, followed by a site survey and scheduled installation. We anticipate generating clean energy, reducing our bills, and potentially exporting excess energy.
Conclusion: A worthwhile investment?
The total cost of our 13.5kW solar system with 20.2kWh battery storage was £18,990. While a significant investment, the projected savings of around £2600 per year and potential increase in property value make it worthwhile.
The system’s predicted return on investment within 7-8 years, along with the increasing uncertainty of future energy costs, further justifies the expenditure. The ease of exporting excess power, excellent installer support and quality of the components were also considerable factors in making the decision.
