In late 2021 we decided to go for a solar panel array. We have a large roof, at about 40 degrees, pointing perfectly S, and a further W pointing roof at the same angle. In total, 18 panels, which were capable of throwing out a maximum of about 350W each. These feed to an inverter, which either export surplus power to the grid, or into a battery.
We made one major upgrade - the more we used the system, the more we realised that a real gain is having batteries - charge them during the day, then draw on the batteries during the expensive evening. So, we upped the batteries from 12kWh storage to just under 20kWh storage when there was a special offer on the batteries.
A further bonus - because we both drive EVs, we were able to go onto a tariff that allows overnight charge of cars at very, very low rates per kWh. And of course we could also use this cheap period to refill the battery, between about midnight and 6am.
So, every morning, we start with a full battery, use it until the sun comes up, and then start refilling it. As the sun goes down, we revert to the battery, and hopefully last until the cheap rate charging starts again.
It works extremely well, and needs very little maintenance or intervention. I tweak timings depending on time of year.
Bottom line is a total of nearly 30MWh generated, equivalent to about the same in tonnes of carbon dioxide, or equivalent to planting about 1600 trees. Certainly sved money, but also, has made a small contribution to our carbon footprint - I know the financial payback trajectory, but do not know the carbon payback statistics (mining lithium, fabrication, shipping etc).
Here's a nice view of our annual data
