Tesla: Solar panels are super efficient, but you have to be patient before you make them profitable

Since January 2020, Tesla has diversified its product catalog. Now there are not only electric cars, but also solar panels. The two PowerWalls generate renewable electricity using solar energy along with huge rechargeable batteries. When the American firm presented this product, it promised that it would soon be available outside the United States, especially in Europe. But with the coronavirus outbreak, this international expansion has been pushed back.

But Tesla’s solar panels are already on the market across the Atlantic. And several families dived. It is a good opportunity to discover the real cost of installation, its ease of use, its adaptation to daily life and, above all, its economic benefits. Because the challenge is not only to reduce the electricity bill, but also to be energy independent.

A huge initial investment

Here is a testimony quoted by Electrek magazine that answers many questions. This testimony is the testimony of the Neumann family. He explains how the system was deployed and how to adapt to this change through a YouTube channel with a video you will find at the end of this article. The channel’s latest video celebrates its first 100 days with the system. And in five minutes, you’ll almost regret not living in the sun all year.

First, the painful numbers: the cost of installation. The Neumann family makes use of third-generation solar tiles called Solar Glass V3. Total budget for installation $83,000, except any help. This is approximately 74,000 Euros. For this price, more half is buying tiles (in any case 270 m² of tiles). 30% of the budget is allocated to the workforce. This includes removing the traditional tiles, adapting the roof structure and laying the tiles.

20% of the budget is devoted to the purchase of two PowerWalls. These are two external rechargeable batteries that collect energy from the roof and power the house. They can also be recharged using the public mains in case the tiles fail. When power generation exceeds consumption, Power Walls can transmit excess energy to the public grid. The consumer then becomes the producer.. Then we enter the numbers that feel good.

Almost autonomous after two months

Because the Neumann family, by producing its own electricity, became not only energy independent but also a seller in just three months. In March, the family paid the energy supplier $4, including the energy sold. 81% of energy consumption comes from its own production. Over $15 in April (supplier has money). 97% autonomous.

In May 2020, the Neumann family, 98% autonomous and Sold electricity for $76 to your supplier. He paid an average of $140 a month for electricity in 2019. Imagine the annual earnings: $140 outstanding and $70 in excess energy. Consider a system that provides about $200 per month. Or $2400 a year knowing that the price per kilowatt-hour sold may vary with market prices.

it all depends on the sunlight

Of course, this doesn’t happen all at once. The whole family had to reconsider their consumption patterns. After sunset, devices that consume a lot are used less. For example, the use of household appliances is preferred during the sun’s highest times and is no longer preferred to take advantage of “non-high” rates during the night. The same goes for charging electric cars: to save as much energy as possible from PowerWalls, they are charged more often during the day.

Of course some minor problems were encountered: a minor malfunction here, overconsumption there. But overall, the experience is very positive. This experience is also largely positive because the weather in California is mostly very, very, very (very?) sunny. In other parts of the world, such as France, it is not certain that earnings are this high. It remains to carefully choose where to buy your next home.

Source : electric