Harvesting power from our sun

     Last year I wrote about the extension of my solarpanel setup with an additional 11 solarpanels. I estimated that this second setup would give me about 1000 KWh/year. But it became a bit more. I figured out that the first 5 panels would be payed for when I would reach 1705 KWh in total. Today I reached 1706 KWh in about 1 year and 3 months. I also wrote that I thought it would take 3 years to get to a break even point. When next year will be as good as this year I will reach that point in 2,5 years. I'm very happy about it because the rules in the Netherlands will change in 2027. At this moment we get the same price for the electricity we deliver to the grid as the price we have to pay for a KWh. At least extra power you don't use for example at the middle of the day is extracted from the power you use. For example you use 14 Kwh over 24 hours and your solarpower above what you use is 10 KWh in the same time you just have to pay for 4 KWh. So actually the electricity provider is a large remote battery. Of course this gives a lot of problems on the powergrid especially in high populated parts of our country. That's why the government decided this will be over in 2027. So, I was just in time buying these second hand solar panels and have to think what to do in the next year and before 2027. Best thing is to use the solarpower directly. That means use the electricity when the sun is there. I've been thinking about an electrical boiler, actually I already got one for free from my sister. In the Netherlands the most common way of heating your water is with gas which is getting very expensive in the last 10 years. Another option is a way to hold the elctricity in batteries and use it when the sun is not there. Both need to be "charged" when the sun is shining and delivering power of course. There are some smart systems available but a little expensive right now. I'm also thinking about off grid electricity for part of the property, like electricity in the garage, gardenhouse and glasshouse. Secondhand equipment can be bought, just have to find the right gear.