Episode 2‑3: What Surprised Me Most in the First Month of Solar + Battery Operation
After finalizing the specifications for my solar panels and home battery in 2023–2024, I signed the contract just before the end of the year.
Then, in February of the following year, my journey toward full electricity self‑consumption finally began.
Since this was our first time using a solar + battery system, I found myself checking the app every day. And several things genuinely surprised me.
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1. It Generates More Power Than Expected—Even on Rainy or Cloudy Days
Honestly, I assumed rainy days would mean zero generation.
But in reality:
- Rainy days: 3–6 kWh
- Cloudy days: 10–15 kWh
Far more than I expected.
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2. A Stunning 96% Self‑Consumption Rate in February
Thanks in part to a stretch of sunny days, February’s results were:
- Generation: 440 kWh
- Self‑consumption rate: 96%
- Purchased electricity: 12.2 kWh
- Electricity sold: 122.2 kWh
At that moment, I genuinely thought,
“Maybe I can actually reach 100%.”
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3. Results for the Full Year (2025)
- Generation: 7,000 kWh
- Self‑consumption rate: 93%
- Purchased electricity: 275 kWh
- Electricity sold: 2,600 kWh
What became clear over the year is this:
Even an ordinary household can operate almost entirely on its own electricity when combining solar panels with a home battery.
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4. The Moment My Fixed Assumptions Fell Apart
I had always believed that electricity was something you buy.
A necessary, unavoidable cost of living.
But that was simply a misconception.
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Next Episode Preview
In the next installment, I’ll break down the factors that prevent households from achieving 100% self‑consumption throughout the year.
What discoveries did you make when you installed solar power?
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