As a homeowner with a 10-year-old property, I’ve always been proud of our Viessmann Solarthermie system. It’s been reliable and has significantly reduced our gas consumption compared to similar homes in our area. However, with the recent addition of a hybrid vehicle to our family, I’ve started exploring ways to maximize our energy efficiency and sustainability.
The idea of installing a Wallbox for our electric vehicle came up, and with it, the possibility of replacing our existing solar thermal system with a photovoltaic (PV) setup. The challenge here is space—our roof doesn’t have enough room for both systems, and alternative placements aren’t feasible. After researching, I reached out to SENEC for an estimate on a PV system, which includes a 3.375 kWp array and a 5 kWh battery, along with a Wallbox. The total cost came in around €18,000, excluding the dismantling of the current heating system.
While the financial projections suggest a 17-year payback period under certain assumptions, I’m curious about how this changes when factoring in an electric vehicle. The system offers a 58% autonomy rate, which is a good start, but I’m still concerned about ongoing reliance on the grid and the added complexity of tax filings due to the small business registration required for VAT refunds.
I’d love to hear from others who’ve made similar transitions or explored hybrid energy systems. Have you found ways to optimize energy independence with limited space? What factors did you consider when weighing the long-term benefits against initial costs? Any insights or experiences would be invaluable as I continue to evaluate this transition.
Looking forward to your thoughts and suggestions! 