The project
The owners of a home in Hilton wanted to make greater use of renewable electricity and reduce their reliance on grid power. Their plans also included charging an electric vehicle at home and improving comfort during warmer weather.
We installed an 18 kW solar PV system across several roof elevations on the main house and garage. Using the available roof space helped us design an array suited to the property. The project also included an EV charger and air conditioning, bringing electricity generation, vehicle charging and cooling into the same home upgrade.
The size of the solar installation meant we needed to liaise with the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for grid connection approval. We also planned how the panels would be arranged across the different roof elevations to make effective use of the available space. Bringing those decisions together early helped the installation work as a whole rather than as three separate additions.
Solar generation and EV charging can work particularly well together when the vehicle is at home while the panels are producing electricity. Actual use will depend on the household’s charging routine, but installing both technologies gives the owners the option to use more of their own generation for transport as well as other household needs.
The completed system provides a source of renewable electricity on site, alongside convenient home EV charging and air conditioning for improved comfort. Solar generation can help supply household electricity demand, including vehicle charging when generation and use coincide. The result is a more flexible home energy setup designed around the owners’ plans for the property.
