Making the sums add up between the costs of installing a solar energy set-up and the potential savings you can make can lead to a long period of inaction, as you painstakingly try to figure out if it’s all worth it.
Lewis and Veronica Rogers had their own lengthy period of deliberation, but for the last 16 months, since making the switch with Octopus, they have seen a dramatic effect on their bills.
“We are actually making money, not just saving it,” they explain. “Once the initial investment is recouped, then the potential is huge.”
Powered by the sons
When they moved to South Devon, energy was not the first thing on their minds. “We retired to Kingsbridge as the rest of the family were down here,” they say. “We found a bungalow at the top of a hill backing onto countryside, which suited us and the dog rather well.”
Solar panels then entered the conversation. “Our two sons (one with a climate science degree and the other with a civil engineering degree) have been encouraging us to get on with it and install solar panels,” they say. “But as ever, the careful people that we are, it took quite some time to consider all the aspects of solar energy.”
Their sons’ persistence paid off when a change in personal circumstances spurred the Rogers into action. “We had a cash windfall which meant that we could make the investment without using our savings,” they explain.
Energy bills before and after
Before installing solar panels and a home battery, the Rogers’ energy costs were predictable but substantial. “We were paying about £145 per month throughout the year for gas and electric to run our three-bed bungalow.”
They switched to Octopus Energy in October 2024, installing solar and battery storage shortly afterwards. From that point through to the end of January 2026 (16 months), the couple paid a total of £849.75, working out at an average of just £53.11 per month. Thanks to building up their credit through referral payments to the tune of £875, their standing order is now £5 per month.
That’s right: for long stretches of the year, their energy bills have been close to disappearing.
While Lewis and Veronica’s savings are real for their home, it’s worth remembering that solar and battery savings aren’t one-size-fits-all. They depend on things like your roof size, angle and location, how much electricity you use (and when), the system you choose, and the tariff you’re on. After a free consultation, Octopus can provide a tailored estimate based on your home and habits so you have a clearer idea of what you might expect.
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Choosing the system
Rather than attempting to design a system themselves, the couple opted to rely on external expertise to assess what would work best for their home and future plans. “We went with the recommendations from the Octopus team and installed 19 solar panels filling the roof, all facing south-west, a 5kW battery from Enphase and a Zappi car charger.”
The overall package, including scaffolding, came to £13,709. From the first conversation to the system being fully operational, the process took around two months. Octopus Energy’s most popular system, the eight-panel system and 5 kWh smart battery, costs £8,518. You can use the Octopus Solar Calculator to see how much you could save on your bills and even earn by selling your excess energy back to the grid.
Unexpected positives
That installation period could have been stressful, but the experience instead left a very positive impression on the couple. “The smooth running of the Octopus team was very efficient. If they said something would be done, it was done. The whole company works on joined-up thinking and all procedures were in place from start to finish. It was very refreshing to be a part of it, as it so often does not happen these days.”
On top of that surprise, the performance of the system also challenged some of the Rogers’ assumptions about how dependent solar is on perfect weather.
“It has surprised us both that the panels produce power even on dull days. Most days there is enough sunlight to support the general running of our home.”
Day-to-day life with solar
Living with solar panels and a battery has introduced a more deliberate approach to energy use, particularly across different seasons. “In winter, we tend to recharge the battery overnight when the tariff is at its lowest,” they explain. “In the long sunny days of summer, when the panels really come to the fore, our grid dependency is as low as 4% — we have had days where our production is regularly over 55kWh.”
Valuable exports
Once household demand and battery storage are covered, any remaining electricity is exported back to the grid — a key part of the system’s long-term value.
“Any power produced by the panels is first consumed by the house,” they say. “The surplus is sent to the battery, and once the battery is full, any excess power automatically goes to the grid, for which we get remunerated. This is why we are seeing such a high balance on our Octopus account.”
Looking back
If they were to change anything, it would be adding capacity. “I would probably go with an extra battery if I had my time again.”
Perhaps because of their own caution, the Rogers’ advice to others considering solar is blunt: “We should’ve done it sooner. Talk to Octopus and be brave — make the decision and go with it.
“Support and service from Octopus has been absolutely amazing. Second to none. You can see why they’ve got all these awards.”
Explore Octopus solar panels or verify our claims on the Octopus Energy website.