How This Smart Homeowner Turned Rising Power Bills Into $3,800 Annual Savings Without Changing His Lifestyle
“I haven’t paid a bill since the first one. And that was for $13.”
Get to know Mike, a Central Coast NSW homeowner who turned rising power bills into six months of energy credit with AIKO solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall 3 home battery.
Like many homeowners, Mike had grown tired of watching his energy bills constantly rise, with no control over the charges. That all changed when he discovered a smarter way forward: pairing solar power with a Tesla Powerwall 3 battery.
Before solar and battery: What was the most frustrating thing about your energy situation?
I was constantly dealing with increasing costs month after month with no ability to feel I had any control, and just had to accept whatever charges were being applied to me.
What made you decide to install solar AND a home battery together?
I saw little benefit in only getting solar power during the day when I least used power. I wanted to power my home at night, and to do that, a battery is essential. I had been keeping an eye on battery technology for years and waiting for batteries to become financially viable. The opportunity finally came when Wattle Powr and CommBank offered a solar and battery installation finance package. It made the decision very easy.
While many homeowners start with a solar system, Mike realised that wasn’t going to work for him. Most of his energy usage happened in the evenings, not during the day when solar generates electricity.
How would you describe your installation experience with Wattle Powr from start to finish?
It was refreshingly straightforward and very simple dealing with Wattle. They even went with my preferred vendor for installation rather than insisting on their default vendor. This flexibility gave me confidence that my system was designed and installed with my needs in mind.
Since installing, what impact has the system had on your home?
I haven’t paid a bill since the first one. And that was for $13. Since then, and through the use of a better electricity retail provider (Amber) I have been in credit for the past 6 months.
Being “in credit” means Mike’s system has been generating more electricity than his household consumes, even covering his daily network supply charges. Mike’s system sends any surplus energy back to the grid, and his energy retailer (Amber) credits his account for that extra electricity. Instead of owing money, Mike’s account balance stays positive, and those credits offset any future bills.
In one word or phrase: How does your system make you feel?
Empowered. 😊
How the Right Choice Can Change Everything
Mike sums up the impact of his clean energy experience in just one word: “Empowered.”
Mike is living proof that with the right system design, quality products, and expert installation, any homeowner can take control of their energy future. Mike has transformed his home into a self-powered hub, with no bills, full control, and long-term savings. For Mike, that means being at the forefront of the clean energy evolution and inspiring others to join him. This is how future-forward homeowners should feel.
System details:
1 x Tesla Powerwall 3 13.5 kWh Built-in inverter
24 x AIKO Neostar 2S N-type ABC 455W All Black solar panels (10.92 kW)
Yearly savings $3,800
Annual energy generation: 16.28 MWh
Shading loss 1%
