Unplugged Nirvana
I live in Scotland and just got my solar install up and running a few days ago. While it’s obviously still very early days, I’m really happy with how it’s all going so far — and with my decision to go for a full panel and battery system.
Was I tempted to wait for plug-in solar when the news filtered through earlier this year that this option was to become officially available with kits in the UK? No, because I wanted a full solar setup for a few reasons that I’ll detail here — along with my initial thoughts on how my system is working (although I’ve already dropped a spoiler on that).
Solar and Battery Eco-system (Image: Fox-ESS.com)
That’s not to say plug-in solar isn’t going to be a good choice for some, of course – it promises to provides a low-hassle route into electricity bill savings for renters and those with limited roof space. But it has distinct limitations compared to a full solar array.
So, here are the main reasons why I wanted that full setup — a bank of 15 roof-mounted panels, a battery, and a gateway — after which I’ll come back to the merits of plug-in solutions.
1. Staying put with a south-facing roof
A full solar setup with an array of panels plus a beefy battery (in my case, a Tesla Powerwall 3 with a 13.5kWh capacity) is, of course, a considerable financial commitment for homeowners.
Read more: TechRadar
