Sustainable Energy Engineering - Testimonial For My Solar System

This is a video shot on my solar system as a testimonial for Sustainable Energy Engineering's website which can be found here: https://www.susenergy.co.uk/
The video was shot by: @You Can Fly Photography
I've had my 12kW solar panels and batteries for over 3 years now and they are working hard to pay for themselves.
I have 38 panels split into 2 x 19 panel sections. 1 x 19 panels charge the batteries and the other 19 panels feed straight to the house. When the batteries are full both systems feed to the house and if we're not using all the power it gets dumped into the grid.
(for obvious reasons) I don't have a 'smart meter' so I get paid nothing for supplying the grid with power but at the time of installation the feed in tariff was only 5p per unit and lately it was closer to 3.4p per unit which is an insult considering the wholesale price of electric.
I'd rather get paid nothing and have the security of a proper off-grid system in a grid down situation. If I had a 'smart meter' my batteries could be drained in the event of an 'emergency', leaving me with no power to run the house. Not having a 'smart meter' is a small price to pay for retaining sovereignty over power generation.

Although our Government claims to want everyone to go 'green' there were no grants available at the time of installing this system and over three years later no surprise there are still no grants available so if you want to invest in some power sovereignty you'll have to save up for it like I did. It is a much better investment than a stupid electric car which will be worth nothing when you come to sell it.

With regard to Sustainable Energy Engineering (link above) they are a great company so I'd definitely recommend them to anyone wanting to install a good quality solar system with panels and batteries.

In the first year the system supplied approx. 48% of our (relatively high) power usage. The second year provided approx. 55% of our power and in the last year it is just over 60% but half way through 2023 I had a third battery installed which took the storage from 11.6kW to 17.4kW so next year I'm hoping that the solar system will produce around 70%? of our power needs but that will require careful use of heavy drain appliances.
At the time of installation I was questioned many times by people who knew I was going for solar as to why I installed such a big system but even on a dull day the system will still produce a usable amount of power. Considering the cost of mains electric now I'm more than happy with the investment since it will afford my family more freedom when electric is limited, more monitored and more expensive..

Follow my Thousand Yard Stare channel for videos on self sufficiency, my garden, greenhouse, pond and solar system......as well as reviews of useful outdoor gear.

If you're interested in planning for a grid down situation and aren't prepared to install a big solar panel and battery system then I have lots of reviews for folding solar panels and portable battery storage solutions on my channel - check those videos out and you're welcome.