Project overview
Property Type: 4-bedroom family home
Location: Walton-on-Thames
Roof Type: Truss roof with double pan tiles (concrete)
Installation Time: 6 days
Team Size: 2-3 engineers per day
System Spec:
19 bifacial Eurener 500W panels
Fox ESS KH8 hybrid inverter
Fox ESS EP11 battery
MyEnergi’s Eddi water heater controller
Zappi EV charger
The owners of this property were a family in Walton-on-Thames, who were eager to reduce their energy bills and switch to renewable energy. They were new clients for Solarsmith, referred to us by a previous customer. With no previous installations on this property, we had the opportunity to design a custom system that would meet the household’s energy needs and maximise savings.
Customer testimonial
Our client, Alistair, kindly left us a 5* review on Google:
“Charlie, Grant and team did an excellent job, start to finish. Very knowledgeable and always on hand to provide advice prior to installation. The installation process was seamless and the guys were really tidy and professional and a pleasure to have on site. Happy to provide support and insight post installation too. All round it couldn’t have been better and I’d highly recommend them all.”
Initial consultation and design
The homeowners found us through a recommendation from a previous client, Scott, who we had previously installed solar for in Epsom. We began with an initial phone consultation, discussing the family’s goals for energy savings and the layout of their home. After an on-site visit to take measurements and assess the property, we used EasyPV software from Midsummer to create a design tailored to their needs.
Our EasyPV software incorporated satellite imaging and local planning drawings, which were especially useful as the home recently underwent an extension. This approach allowed us to accurately design the system using both digital and on-site information to ensure a high-quality, efficient layout.
Installation details
For this installation, we arranged 19 bifacial solar panels in total to maximise energy production:
Front roof (northwest facing): 8 panels
Back roof (southeast facing): 11 panels
This setup ensures that energy is consistently captured throughout the day. The bifacial Eurener 500W panels we used are unique in the way that they allow light to pass through, reflecting off the roof and hitting the panel again. This reflection enhances energy production, making these some of the most efficient panels available on the market.
We also installed a Fox ESS KH8 hybrid inverter, which efficiently manages both the solar PV output and battery charging. The homeowners can store up to 10.4 kWh of energy in a Fox ESS EP11 battery. As this is Fox’s newest battery, it was our first time installing this model, so we were excited to test it out!
Additional features included MyEnergi’s Eddi water heater controller and Zappi EV charger. These devices allow the family to use surplus solar energy to heat water and charge their electric vehicle, helping them save on both electric and gas bills.
Overcoming challenges
This project had a few logistical challenges. Although the panels were scheduled for delivery at the start of the week, they didn’t arrive until Wednesday morning. One panel was also damaged in transit and needed replacement the next day. To avoid further delays, we had the remaining equipment delivered to our office in advance, allowing us to proceed with other setup tasks and roof preparation.
After installation, we encountered a technical issue with the system’s app, which was preventing the battery from charging overnight in force charge mode. We contacted Fox ESS directly, and they quickly resolved the issue by pushing a firmware update to the inverter.
The results
With a 9.5kW solar array, 8kW hybrid inverter, and bifacial solar panel technology, this Walton-on-Thames family now enjoys an efficient, high-capacity solar setup. The MyEnergi components provide additional flexibility and cost savings by using excess energy to heat water and charge their EV.
The job was completed on time, and the family is thrilled with the results. We continue to monitor the system remotely from our office, as we do with all installations, to ensure it continues to operate smoothly and efficiently.
The homeowners were pleased with the seamless installation and the aftercare our team provided. With their new system, they’re not only saving on monthly energy costs but also contributing to a greener future.
Ready to start your own solar journey? Contact Solarsmith® today and let us design the perfect solution for your home!
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