a 17.1 kWp solar + 65.2 kWh battery solution

Homes with indoor pools and heat pumps are a different energy challenge altogether. The base load is consistently high, and consumption is spread across the entire day, not just the usual morning and evening peaks. That means a standard solar-and-battery setup often is not enough on its own.

For this project, the homeowner needed a system that could:

• Offset a meaningful portion of high daily usage
• Store enough energy to reduce peak-rate imports
• Take advantage of off-peak tariffs by charging overnight
• Integrate EV charging so the car can run on solar when available
• Work on a single-phase supply

The system design

To meet the output and storage requirements, we installed a high-capacity solar array paired with large-scale battery storage and parallel inverters.

Solar PV array

• Total PV size: 17.1 kWp
• Panels: 36 x Aiko 480W Gen3
• Layout: spread across 5 separate MPPTs to optimise yield across different roof aspects and conditions

Inverters and battery storage
Because the calculated storage requirement was more than 60 kWh, and the property is single-phase, we installed two hybrid inverters in parallel to deliver the capacity and flexibility needed.

• 2 x Fox ESS KH8 hybrid inverters installed in parallel
• Each inverter coupled to its own battery stack:
  • 1 x Fox ESS EQM4800
  • 6 x Fox ESS EQS4800
• Total battery storage installed: 65.2 kWh

EV charging integration
To complete the home energy ecosystem, we installed:

• Fox ESS L Series 7 kW EV charger
  This charger can intelligently charge the vehicle when excess solar generation is detected, helping the homeowner prioritise self-consumption rather than exporting.

Early performance results

Even in February, when solar generation is typically lower, the system has already delivered impressive results. Since installation, it has produced 39% of the household’s total energy consumption. That is a significant offset for a home with a high, consistent base load.

And this figure is before factoring in:

• overnight off-peak battery charging to cover daytime demand more cheaply
• higher production through spring and summer
• summer export opportunities when generation exceeds usage and storage capacity

Why this approach works for high-consumption homes

For properties with heat pumps, pools, high EV mileage or business equipment at home, the goal is not just to install solar. The goal is to design an integrated system that matches real consumption patterns and tariff opportunities.

This project is a great example of how a correctly sized PV array, substantial battery storage, and smart EV charging can work together to reduce grid reliance and cut costs even in the lowest-generation months.

Want a system designed around your usage

If your home has a high base load, we can size solar and storage based on your actual demand, property layout and tariff. Contact us matthew@platinum-rs.net or head to our solar installation calculator.