Working with SunCommon and Green Mountain Power (GMP) we put together a plan to purchase:

PV (Photovoltaic) System size 8.10kW

2 Electrical boxes

2 Tesla Powerwalls

Solar:

20 Bifacial panels and new electrical panels for the house: $35,544

Battery Storage:

Two Tesla Powerwalls: $19,560 - $8,550 GMP incentive = $11,010

TOTAL COST: $46,554

We are not off the grid. We help our energy company, Green Mountain Power (GMP), subsidize the grid by drawing power from our Tesla batteries during peak usage. Usually 2-3 times a month. Participation in the program reduced the cost of the Tesla batteries with a subsidy from GMP. The Battery Storage System was $19,560 and GMP provided an incentive of $8,550 towards the purchase. We also received a tax credit for 26% that went towards the loan to purchase solar and the batteries. So, the final purchase price of the solar and battery system was $33,544.

The Tesla batteries offered us a few things. They function as our power backup. We’d had a few blackouts where we would lose power for a few minutes. After the Tesla batteries were installed we no longer had to manage losing power, or noticed when the power went out. The batteries seamlessly switch over and provide power to the house before an interruption occurs. We only know we’ve lost power when the Tesla app notifies us. It’s often faster than GMP sending an alert about a possible outage.

Once you start using the Tesla battery system you have access to the Tesla app which provides more precise data of your energy consumption. For example, you can see spikes when the dishwasher or dryer are in use. There’s plenty of useful data to inform good energy habits and support mindful consumption.

We’re coming up on our third year with the solar panels and we’ve managed to reduce our oil and electric bills.

2020 Oil and Electric Bills:

Oil: $2,928

Electric: $771.89

Total: $3,699.89

2021 Oil and Electric Bills:

Oil: $800

Electric: $313

Total: $1,113

2022 Oil and Electric Bills:

Oil: $660

Electric: $582