| 6 New Bifacial Panels | 2.64kW Added Capacity | Powerwall 3 Battery Backup | Storm Watch Outage Protection |
Project Overview
Solar and battery backup NZ systems earn their keep in places where the grid is not always reliable, and this Matapouri home is a good example. The owners built their house here seven years ago and now live here permanently in retirement. Power cuts are a regular part of life in the area, so they installed solar and a Tesla Powerwall 3 battery. Future Energy has now replaced the inverter and added six new Suntech 440W bifacial dual glass panels on the northerly roof, boosting how much power the home can generate and keeping the household supplied when the grid goes down.
The Challenge
The home sits at the end of a line where outages are common, and the owners rely on electricity for essentials. Water is pumped from underground tanks, so when the power drops out, so does the water. They also live on a retirement income, and with power prices continuing to rise, every dollar saved on the electricity bill matters.
Once the original system had been running for a while, the owners noticed the array was missing a lot of morning sun on one side of the roof. The question was how to generate more power without starting again: replace the ageing inverter and add panels on the northerly roof to capture the sun they were missing.
The System
6 New Suntech 440W Bifacial Dual Glass Panels
Six new Suntech 440W bifacial dual glass panels were installed on the northerly roof, adding 2.64kW of capacity to the existing array. Bifacial panels capture light on both their front and rear surfaces, and the dual glass construction makes them robust, a good fit for an exposed coastal location.
Replacement Inverter
The existing inverter was replaced as part of the upgrade, so the expanded array and the battery work together as a single, up to date system.
Tesla Powerwall 3 With Storm Watch
The home’s Tesla Powerwall 3 stores solar energy for use when it is needed. When a storm alert is issued, the battery switches to Storm Watch mode and charges from the grid so it is full before the weather hits. That stored energy is held back until the power actually goes out. When the grid drops, the battery takes over so smoothly that the owners often do not realise the power has gone out at all.
The Results
- 6 extra bifacial panels on the northerly roof, adding 2.64kW to capture the morning sun the original array was missing
- A replacement inverter bringing the expanded array and battery together
- Reduced power bills for a retired household watching rising electricity prices
- Seamless backup from the Tesla Powerwall 3, with Storm Watch charging the battery ahead of bad weather
- Continued power for the water pump and the home through outages
- The ability to help neighbours when the power is out
When the lights go out around them, theirs stay on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tesla Storm Watch?
Storm Watch is a Powerwall feature that responds to severe weather alerts. When one is issued, the battery charges to full from the grid and holds that energy in reserve until the power goes out, so the home is ready for an outage.
Can I add more solar panels to an existing system?
Often, yes. This Matapouri home added six panels on its northerly roof to pick up sun the original array missed. The inverter needs to be able to handle the extra capacity, which is why it was replaced as part of this job.
What are bifacial dual glass solar panels?
Bifacial panels generate power from both the front and the rear of the panel, picking up reflected light as well as direct sun. Dual glass panels have a glass layer on both sides, which makes them more durable in harsh conditions.
Is solar and battery backup worth it for rural homes?
For homes that lose power regularly, it can be. Solar cuts the power bill, and the battery keeps essentials like water pumps, lights and appliances running through an outage, which for many rural households is as valuable as the savings.
Tired of power cuts and rising bills? Future Energy designs solar and battery backup NZ systems, and upgrades existing ones, so your home keeps running when the grid does not. Get in touch for a free assessment.
