It all started in 2022—my solar power system was finally designed by SENEC and then installed by a local provider. The entire project went “live” in 2025; the battery had to be replaced, but everything is finally up and running. Time to take stock.
The paper calculation had shown a self-sufficiency rate of 75%, but the actual figures for last year came out to 64%:
Just a quick note about the setup: our house was built in 2019, features state-of-the-art insulation, and is equipped with a geothermal heat pump. No oil, no gas. Underfloor heating is a great option for this setup—and we have it installed.
I think 64% is okay, but it always breaks my heart to see how much surplus the plant produces and how little we get in return. There are certainly ideas out there (green hydrogen, pumped-storage power plants, compressed air storage, river batteries, etc.). Just take a look for yourself at how this is being done in California, for example, or what’s planned for the future. That shows me: it’s possible. If you want it. And if you think these issues through to the end.
In the meantime, I’m pleased that we’re moving toward 100% self-sufficiency starting in April, that everything is in order, and that the system’s depreciation is progressing as I’d hoped month by month. My next steps are now focused on optimizing the heating system, which I want to integrate more closely with the solar PV system. In theory, that should work…
