The Client
The homeowner lives in a bungalow in Mayobridge, Co. Down. Like most households, they rely on electricity throughout the day for heating, cooking, appliances and everyday living, and the cost had become a growing share of their monthly outgoings.

The Challenge
Energy prices had risen sharply in recent years and showed no sign of coming back down. The homeowner wanted to cut their electricity bill and stop being so exposed to every price rise from their supplier.

There was also a practical challenge. The bungalow has a high-pitch slate roof, which takes more skill and care to work on than a standard tiled roof. Slate is brittle and the steep pitch makes access harder, so the installation had to be planned carefully to fit the panels securely without damaging the existing roof.

Why Solar Made Sense
A solar PV system lets a household generate its own electricity from daylight. Solar works well in Northern Ireland, because panels generate from daylight, not just direct sunshine.

Adding battery storage makes the system far more useful for a home. Most households use the most electricity in the morning and evening, when panels generate the least. A battery stores the energy generated during the day so it can be used when the household actually needs it, instead of being exported to the grid at a low rate.

Our Approach
We started with a free consultation to talk through the homeowner's energy bills, usage and what they wanted to achieve. We then surveyed the property, assessing the roof's orientation, pitch, shading and condition, along with the existing electrical setup.

From this, we designed a 9.1 kWp solar PV system with battery storage, sized to match the household's energy usage. The homeowner received a clear written quote setting out the system size, expected savings and payback period, so they could decide with no pressure and full confidence in the numbers.

The Installation
The high-pitch slate roof needed a careful, methodical approach. We planned the access and mounting in advance to make sure the panels were fixed securely and the roof was left watertight and intact.

We completed the installation on schedule, then tested and commissioned the system. Before leaving, we walked the homeowner through how everything works and how to keep track of what the system is generating and saving.

The Results
The system is already delivering strong savings for the household.

• £2,022 annual savings

• 5-6 year payback period

• 9.1 kWp solar PV with battery storage

That works out at around £168 a month back in the homeowner's pocket. After the payback period, the system will keep generating savings for many years to come.

The Bigger Picture
Beyond the savings, the household now generates much of its own electricity and is far less exposed to future price rises. It is also reducing its carbon footprint every year.

As the homeowner put it, their only regret was not doing it years ago. It's a clear example of what a well-designed solar and battery system can do for a typical home, even on a challenging roof.

Savings figures are estimates based on system modelling. Actual savings vary with usage and tariff.