The Tan family's vision was to convert their home's unused spaces into a carport, party room, and swim/spa area, without adding to their energy running costs.

 

By partnering with Plug me in, they installed a solar PV system that generates enough electricity to power their home and outbuildings for several months of the year. The subsequent addition of a battery storage system has maximised efficiency, meaning they need to buy far less energy from the grid than before.

 

We spoke with homeowner Faye Tan to learn more about her experience with Plug me in’s solar PV solutions.

 

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What motivated your solar PV install?

When we renovated our home in 2009, we wanted to minimise both our energy bills and carbon footprint. However, at the time, solar PV was relatively niche and prohibitively expensive. Additionally, our home’s irregular roof layout made installation particularly challenging. Fast forward to 2018 - when we began renovating our outbuildings - falling solar costs and rising energy prices made the investment far more viable. We were determined to install a system that would cover the running costs of our new spaces with self-generated solar energy.

 

Why did you choose Plug me in? 

I approached several national and local solar installation companies, but ultimately chose Plug me in. They were local and proximity was a key factor, as I wanted a company that would be readily on-hand in case of any issues. They were also competitively priced and very responsive and helpful.

 

How was your experience designing the system?

Given that one of the outbuildings was going to be converted into a swim/spa area, we needed the system to generate as much power as possible to cover the associated running costs. We were keen to get as many panels on the roof as possible without them looking overcrowded. Working with the Plug me in team, we went through numerous design iterations, trying different orientations and layouts to fully optimise it. The team were incredibly informative and accommodating, showing me photos of other installations and specifications of different panel types. Nothing was ever too much trouble – they understood that it had to be right.

 

What type of system was installed?

I wanted the panels to look in-keeping with the aesthetics of the property and not detract from it. That’s why I went for low profile panels and I’m really pleased with the result. We managed to fit 36 panels across 4 small roofs to give us a 10kWh system. That’s already quite sizeable for a domestic system, but if I’d had more roof space I’d have added more!

 

Has the system performed as expected?

While the original energy generation estimates were slightly optimistic, we’re still extremely happy with the output. We generate between 7,000-8,000 kWh per year, which represents about 35% of our total electricity consumption.

 

How do you monitor energy generation?

The system was switched on in 2019, and since then, I’ve used the accompanying app to track performance. It’s intuitive and very informative, allowing me to monitor how much I’m generating and consuming, how much is stored in the battery, and how much I’m taking from the grid at any given time. I also take monthly generation meter readings to track trends and ensure the system is performing as expected.

 

Why did you add battery storage?

We added battery storage after a couple of years when prices fell and availability improved after the pandemic. It has been a complete game changer! Our panels were generating a lot of electricity during the day during sunlight hours, but we consume most of our energy in the evenings. Getting the batteries meant we could store the energy generated during the day, rather than pass it back to the grid for a nominal sum and then pay the grid’s higher costs for electricity in the evening.

 

How many batteries do you have?

We initially installed two Dyness B51100 batteries (each 5.12 kWh) but later expanded to five after noticing that a significant amount of energy was still being returned to the grid. Our aim is to minimise our draw from the grid, and with our current setup, we now retain the majority of our self-generated electricity for our own use, helping to reduce our draw from the grid.

 

Would you recommend solar PV to homeowners?

Absolutely! I have zero regrets and if I were to move, I’d install solar again. Once you’ve got it you don’t want to be without it! Obviously there’s a sizeable upfront cost, but the payback is good. When we bought the system in 2018 the estimated payback period was 15 years. However with the addition of batteries, I now believe the system will have paid for itself within the next five years – and that’s including the extra investment in the batteries.

 

Any advice for those considering solar?

My biggest recommendation is to understand your energy consumption levels and patterns. If you’re not going to be using the energy when the solar panels are generating it, battery storage will be key to maximising savings. While batteries increase the initial investment, they significantly improve the return on investment. 

 

Would you recommend Plug me in?

I’d 100% recommend the team at Plug me in. They were highly responsive, always available via phone or email, and willing to visit the site as needed. They were patient throughout the design process, iterating multiple times to optimise the system’s performance. Thanks to their expertise, we now have a setup that generates the maximum possible energy for our home, and we couldn’t be happier with the results!