Boosting Winter Energy Independence with Vertical Solar Panels
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Chapter 1: The Advantage of Vertical Solar Panels
Vertical solar panels are not limited to mountain retreats; they are effective on any residential structure. These panels significantly enhance solar self-sufficiency during the winter months by better capturing the low-angle sunlight compared to traditional roof-mounted systems. They also have the added benefit of not accumulating snow, which can hinder energy production.
As previously noted, achieving self-sufficiency in a contemporary single-family home is possible, even with electric vehicles in temperate regions like Switzerland. My installation of vertical solar panels has increased our self-sufficiency by approximately 5 to 10 percentage points, resulting in an annual self-sufficiency rate of around 75 to 80%.
After a complete winter of operation, it's time to evaluate the results on both strategic and tactical levels.
The Setup
Our home was constructed on a greenfield site in 2012, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and solar self-sufficiency. From day one, we utilized a Drexel+Weiss Aerosmart X2 heating and ventilation system paired with a ground heat pump, keeping our heating energy consumption remarkably low (about 1.2 kW when fully operational on a frigid day).
Over the years, as we monitored our energy use, we gradually integrated the following systems:
- 8 kWp east-west solar panels on the carport
- 14 kWp east-west solar panels on the house
- 4.8 kWp east-west solar panels on the home’s facade
- A 12 kWh Fronius Solar Battery
- Two Tesla Model 3 vehicles, each with a 75 kWh battery
A Loxone building control system manages our major energy consumers (vehicles, washing machine, heating), optimizing their operation based on solar energy availability, battery levels, and seasonal changes.
Production Data
From mid-November 2022 to mid-March 2023, our vertical solar panels generated the following energy:
- Eastern facade: 81.14 kWh
- Western facade: 81.49 kWh
While a total output of 162.63 kWh might seem low, it's important to remember that this period encompasses the darkest days of winter. Additionally, snow covered the roof panels in mid-December, resulting in a complete halt of energy production from those panels. In contrast, the vertical panels continued to produce energy.
On December 14, 2022, the vertical panels generated roughly 3 kWh, while the roof panels produced none. Then, during a series of overcast, rainy days in early January, the vertical panels still managed to yield some energy, despite the gloomy conditions.
Video: SOLAR PANELS in WINTER - Our Experience - YouTube
Relevance — Strategic Insights
One might argue that the contribution of vertical panels to winter energy production is minimal. While this is somewhat accurate, the reality in energy engineering is that there are no quick fixes. Using the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System and the data above, we estimated the additional energy generation from vertical panels.
In our first winter, we produced about half of the anticipated energy. It's challenging to determine whether this discrepancy stems from seasonal weather variations or the calculation model. A clearer assessment will likely emerge after 3 to 5 years of operation.
Regardless, we successfully generated approximately 160 kWh of extra energy during the winter months. This additional electricity helps bridge the energy gap in winter, reinforcing my belief that installing vertical solar panels and enhancing self-sufficiency is a prudent choice for residential properties.
It's crucial to note that power shortages often occur towards the end of winter. Achieving full self-sufficiency by March can significantly help mitigate this issue. Additionally, maintaining self-sufficiency until late October reduces reliance on seasonal energy storage systems, which are often depleted as others begin drawing from them.
While a single household generating an extra 160 kWh in winter may not seem impactful, consider the cumulative effect across numerous residential buildings capable of similar production.
Relevance — Tactical Insights
These strategic insights are less tangible on a day-to-day basis. So, what can those 160 kWh provide for our energy-efficient home?
- An extra 850 km of driving range for one of our Tesla Model 3 vehicles (we typically travel about 1,000 km per month).
- Approximately 130 additional hours of operation for our Drexel+Weiss AeroSmart X2 heating and ventilation system (which typically operates for 180-240 hours monthly, depending on outdoor temperatures).
These benefits, on top of the regular electricity production, can significantly enhance our comfort during the cold, dark winter months.
To reiterate: in the realm of energy engineering, there are no quick solutions. However, the decision to pursue a more secure and sustainable winter energy supply is yours to make.
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Chapter 2: Year-Round Food Production with Off-Grid Solutions
For those interested in sustainable living, this video provides insights into creating an off-grid winter garden greenhouse in Canada, designed for year-round food production.
Video: An Off Grid Winter Garden Greenhouse in Canada For Year Round Food - YouTube