Agreed. I added solar when I moved to the Bay of Islands which has about the most expensive electricity rates in the country. I also work from home. It will pay for itself in 6 years at current electricity rates (which, some people tell me, are only going to get more expensive).

Unfortunately I'd need a battery to increase resilience against power cuts, and the maths doesn't add up for that yet, at least for me.

[–] Rangelus 2 points 1 year ago

Nice!

Yes batteries are currently not really worth it at the prices we pay. I had 2 small batteries installed (IIRC they are 4kwh total), but they really add nothing. Slightly offset costs,but weren't worth it. I got a good price on them, however, so I'm not too upset, but in hindsight I wouldn't have added them.

I'm a big fan of centralised storage. Using excess generated power during the day on a pumped water storage system, or similar, and then returning it to the grid at night. I think the economies of scale make the most sense this way, and then buyback rates should be equal. That would require some radial overhauling of the current power landscape, however. If only the power companies hadn't been privatised back in the day, we would be in better shape then we are now.