In our last episode, the panels and all the supporting electrical bits had been fitted but couldn’t be switched on til it was inspected. That didn’t happen for ten days. The hot water had already been connected to the solar diverter but the only way it would work was to push the “Boost” which manually engages the heater for an hour – then switches off. So if you get home late and need hot water for an early start shower, it’s going to be warm at best unless you have someone to keep pushing the button every hour.

Sub-optimal.

Fortunately I had the opportunity to shower at work and part of the delay was that I’m not around during my four day working week but I think the inspection needs to be booked in for the day installation is completed. Something to be aware of.

But…

Wow…!!!

When the system was first switched on, around 11AM on a brutally cold but crystal-clear alpine day, even heating the hot water cylinder from cold, and with the TV and PC on, it was still feeding over 1Kwh back into the grid…For full disclosure, I had been running the heat pump for a couple of hours before the inspector arrived – everybody seems to have to come from afar: we need more local installers and inspectors – so the rooms were already warmed enough for the sun to maintain a comfortable working temperature.

I’m still waiting for Endless Energy to send me the information on how to connect my phone to the solar set-up so I can monitor and manage it when not at home – there seems to be a little confusion over whether they do this or the installers should have. Once that final stage is complete, I’ll be one of those nerds who checks the solar set-up every thre eor four seconds whether it needs it or not…

Overall, the process has been pretty painless – some minor inconveniences but nothing tragic. The bank was awesome in processing the loan really quickly and I’m more than happy to endorse Endless Energy as a supplier…I’m pleased I took the recommendation to install as many panel as the inverter could handle and the next stage bof this project will be either upgrading the inverter and adding more panels; or buying a long-range (I have a loooong daily commute) EV to double as a house battery; or both…

Our installation is very visible from the main road and we have had lots of inquiries. I’m really hoping this will lead to a big leap in the number of solar installations in the village and broader area. Not only is that good from a green POV, it also adds to our resilience should we lose our grid power…