Kevin reviews his Octopus solar and battery system
Meet Kevin —a retired engineer and proud solar advocate. A year after installation, he’s saved £820, generated more power than he’s used, and gained energy independence—all while helping the planet.
I sat down with him to find out how he did it.
So Kevin, are you loving your solar system?
Kevin: Oh, absolutely! I think I’ve turned into a bit of a solar evangelist. For us, this wasn’t just about saving money—it was also about doing the right thing for the environment.
That said, the financial side has been a pleasant surprise. We’re just a week shy of the one-year mark, and we’ve generated more electricity than we’ve used. In fact, we’ve exported more than we’ve imported! Over the year, we’re saving around £820, which is incredible. And I’m glad we opted to get optimisers added to our panels.
Samsam: That’s amazing! Can you explain more about how the system works for you?
Kevin: Sure! We’ve paired the solar panels with a 9.5kWh battery. Together, they’re a powerhouse. During the summer, the solar panels generate enough to power the house, fill the battery by lunchtime, and export the rest.
In winter, we charge the battery overnight using the Octopus Flux tariff, which gives us discounted electricity between 2am and 5am. Then, we use that stored energy during the day when electricity is pricier. It’s a clever system, and it’s worked beautifully for us.
Samsam: How would you review your solar installation?
Nothing was too much trouble for them.
Kevin: Honestly, it was fantastic. The team was super communicative and the crew who came out were excellent. They were neat, tidy, and really thorough. And, a year on, it’s clear they did a stellar job and there;’s no issues at all with the install.
Everything’s running like clockwork!
Samsam: Does it take a lot of effort to manage the system?
Kevin: Not really. Once everything’s set up, it mostly looks after itself. The GivEnergy app is fantastic—it lets you control and monitor the system easily.
Samsam: Would you say the investment has been worth it?
We went into this to make a difference environmentally, but we've loved the huge financial benefits too.
Kevin: Definitely. I’m a retired engineer, so I keep a spreadsheet tracking everything. Based on our first year, the payback period for our solar panels alone should be about 8 to 10 years —the battery adds a few years but it gives us flexibility and helps us make the most of the system. For a family home, the combination of solar and a battery is really compelling, and definitely worth it for us.’
Samsam: Would you recommend installing solar to others?
Kevin: Without a doubt. In fact, I’ve recommended it to all my friends and family. Solar and battery tech have come a long way, and it feels great to know we’re doing something positive for the planet. Plus, it’s amazing how much control it gives you over your energy usage and costs.
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Published on 4th February 2025 by:
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
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