DO SOLAR PANELS STILL SAVE MONEY IN AUTUMN? OUR BATTERY AND SOLAR RESULTS

EV Channels Review

This video provides a detailed, data-driven analysis of solar panel and home battery performance during the autumn months (October-November). The reviewer, Greg, shares real-world figures from his 13.5 kW east-west solar array and 20 kWh Alpha ESS battery system. Key takeaways include a significant reduction in electricity bills (effectively halved compared to the previous year), despite similar overall energy consumption. The reviewer highlights the effectiveness of 'load shifting' – charging batteries at cheap overnight rates (around 7p/kWh) and using that stored energy during the day. While solar generation decreased significantly from summer levels, it still contributed to savings. The video also discusses the high energy consumption of electric radiators, the impact of home insulation upgrades, and the performance of the battery in cold weather, noting that the Alpha ESS batteries lack internal heaters but still performed adequately. Future considerations include upgrading to a heat pump over additional battery storage due to cost-effectiveness. The reviewer expresses strong satisfaction with the system's overall performance and its role in protecting against energy price volatility.