Rich and Cath's Green Home Story
Rich and Cath Hooper got their solar panels and Powerwall 2 installed by us just days before the UK was plunged into lockdown. They share their review of Good Energy Solar, and insights into their energy bill savings over the years.
About Rich and Cath’s solar array
In March 2020, Good Energy Solar installed a 3.7kW solar array, a Tesla Powerwall 2, a Tesla Gateway and a myenergi zappi EV charger at the Hooper’s home in Somerset.
Thrilled with how their system is functioning, they are hoping to add an additional Powerwall 2 this year.
Why choose Good Energy Solar?
“Our primary motivation for getting solar panels was to help the environment. We have nieces and nephews and we want to make sure that their future on this planet is secure.
“We had some money in the bank earning a very low interest rate, so installing solar panels seemed like a better way to invest that money.
“Good Energy Solar, previously Wessex ECOEnergy, came out to do a survey and explained all of our options really clearly to us. We decided to go for it!
“We found our solar installation experience and our aftercare just perfect. They were neat, tidy, turned up when they said they would and worked to a really high quality. All of the team were so friendly and if we had any questions all we needed to do was call.
“We’ve been so impressed with Good Energy Solar that we’ve recommended them to several family members – all of whom have had the same positive experience.” Rich Hooper
What’s great about the Tesla Powerwall?
“We always want to get the best that we can afford – so after some research we decided on the Tesla Powerwall 2. We wanted a battery that would truly last all day and the support of a well-known trusted brand. The Tesla Powerwall is like a work of art, very smart and contemporary to look at.”
“The Powerwall is incredibly intelligent – and works brilliantly alongside a dual-rate tariff and solar panels to help us use electricity in a low-cost, low-carbon way.
“It gets to know our usage patterns and it reads the upcoming weather forecast to know how much it should charge up overnight to leave space for expected solar electricity the next day.
“It also has a storm watch function, where it knows to charge as much as possible ahead of a potential power-cut so that we can keep using our electricity as normal.
“We both really enjoy using the Tesla Powerwall app to see how much we’re generating, buying from the grid, and selling via our export tariff.
“We’re planning to get a second Powerwall this year alongside another electric heater to help us to reduce our reliance on our oil boiler in the winter months.” Rich Hooper
What do you enjoy about the myenergi zappi charger?
“We’re really pleased we chose the myenergi zappi electric car charger. It’s a really versatile charger that works well for lots of different set ups. For example if you have solar panels without a battery, it can charge on Eco mode to ensure it’s only using your excess solar power.
“For us with a dual rate tariff, it’s worked out when to charge the car so that we have a full battery in the morning without ever having to pay for peak electricity.
“We also enjoy using the app – all it takes is a quick click of a button to choose the charging mode you need, rather than needing to go outside.” Rich Hooper
How much money do you save having solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall?
“With an electric car and electric heating, we are higher than average electricity users – using 4013kWh of electricity in 2023 (compared with the UK average of 2700kWh).
“Our solar panels, Tesla Powerwall and dual rate tariff work together to save us well over £1,000 a year – and that’s without the savings we make from no longer buying petrol.
“During the energy crisis we felt very happy that we’d gone for it, and that we didn’t have to buy the very expensive electricity from the grid. It’s covering all of our bills and then some. We cannot get that sort of return on our money elsewhere.” Rich Hooper
