Making Space for Renewable Energy

Working from home has its perks, but it also comes with challenges. For me, one of the biggest was finding a way to make our household more energy efficient. Living on the edge of a town in a small end-terrace house, we had very little roof space for solar panels. I had always wanted to generate my own renewable energy, but with room for only four panels on our house, it seemed like an impossible dream.

Then one day, as I sat in my garden office-my trusty shed at the bottom of the garden-I had a lightbulb moment. What if I replaced my existing garden office and the old, slightly dilapidated shed next to it with a larger structure? A bigger roof could mean more solar panels, and more solar panels could mean a real step towards energy independence.

From Idea to Reality

Once the idea took hold, there was no turning back. We decided to demolish the old garden office and the shed, replacing them with a single, larger building in the style of a log cabin. This new space would not only give me a more comfortable and functional home office, but it would also provide the perfect platform for solar panels.

We worked with a fantastic solar company that helped us install ten solar panels directly onto the new roof. Because they were fitted flat, the installation fell within permitted development rules, which made the whole process much simpler. Alongside the panels, we added a battery backup system to store excess energy for use when the sun wasn't shining.

It was a game-changer.

Installing solar panels on my home office roof meant we could finally generate our own renewable energy and reduce our reliance on the grid.

The Impact on Our Energy Use

The difference was immediate. With the solar panels and battery in place, we started producing our own electricity, significantly reducing the amount we needed to draw from the grid. While we knew we wouldn't generate enough power to charge our electric car, every little bit helped. Our energy bills dropped, and we felt a real sense of satisfaction knowing that we were doing our part for the environment.

One of the biggest surprises was how much the battery backup changed the way we thought about energy. Instead of simply using power as and when we needed it, we became more aware of when and how we consumed electricity. We started timing our usage to make the most of the energy we generated, which made us even more efficient.

By combining solar panels with a battery backup, we've completely changed the way we think about energy consumption.

Looking to the Future

Now that we've maximised our available space for solar panels, the next step is to explore other renewable energy options. One idea we're considering is using heat pumps to warm our garden offices in the winter and cool them in the summer. This could be a much more energy-efficient way to maintain a comfortable working environment year-round.

Beyond our own property, I've also started looking into the possibility of joining a cooperative wind farm. While solar panels are great in the summer, wind power could help balance our energy needs in the winter when the sun is less reliable. If more households took a similar approach-combining different renewable energy sources-we could make a real impact on the country's overall energy consumption.

If every home added just a few solar panels, it could make a huge difference to the country's renewable energy capacity.

A Small Change with a Big Impact

What started as a simple desire to generate our own power turned into a complete rethink of how we use energy. By reimagining my home office, we not only created a better workspace but also found a way to contribute to a more sustainable future.

For anyone considering solar panels but struggling with space, my advice is to think outside the box-or in my case, outside the house. A garden office, a shed, or even a garage roof could be the perfect place to harness the power of the sun. And with battery storage becoming more accessible, it's easier than ever to make the most of the energy you generate.

Renewable energy isn't just for those with large houses and endless roof space. With a little creativity, even a small home can make a big difference.