My decarbonized life: the first winter

The image, obtained yesterday from Huawei’s FusionSolar app which I use to monitor my domestic energy use, show that in winter, with its short days and low sunshine, ended several weeks ago, the solar panels are once again approaching their usual output, and we are now back to regular energy surpluses.

This has been our first winter since we installed a heat pump, solar panels and a battery; in that order. The experience has been a delight. Our bills from November to March were exactly €46.57 €199.67, €322.37, €281.78€ and €253.41, all inclusive (including a €75 gas cap we were charged in January, even though we’re disconnected and our electricity is certified as coming from renewable sources).

It is important to understand that these bills reflect the total energy expenditure of the house: electricity consumption, heating, hot water and electric car charging, so, in practice, it does not only include the electricity bill, but also the gas bill and gasoline. If we add in the road tax rebate, lower property tax, etc., the move to renewables pays off, big time: so far, I haven’t worked out the return on investment, firstly because it was never our concern or our priority, and secondly, because we want to wait to check the amount of subsidies for both the installation of the heat pump, the solar panels and the battery (the three items are subsidized by…