When this Sydney-based couple switched to solar power, they were pleasantly surprised by the ease of the set-up and how quickly it impacted habits in the home.
As empty-nesters in Sydney’s northern suburbs, Dorota and Wodek Jakubik (below) wondered why their energy bills remained so high after their daughters moved abroad. “Our quarterly electricity bill showed that we consumed the same power as the average family of five or six and it was just the two of us,” says Wodek.
The likely causes? The couple had lived in Singapore for a decade and became accustomed to running their air-conditioner throughout the night. And Dorota ran pottery classes from their at-home studio, powering a kiln to fire students’ ceramics.
After closely watching the evolution of rooftop solar technology for many years – as well as the rising power bills – Wodek, an innovation manager at a major energy company, decided that 2023 was the right time to transition to renewable energy. “With conventional power stations shutting down, I thought we could be exposed to electricity shortages in the near future,” he says. “When I heard about the LAVO Life’s clean home energy system of solar panels, inverter and all-in-one battery – with a 10-year warranty for the inverter and battery and 25 years for the solar panels – I said, ‘It’s time to move to solar.”
Choosing the right solar product
When it came to the appropriate package for their property and energy consumption, Wodek consulted with LAVO’s expert team. “We have 16 panels, which add up to a 6.64kWh system, with two batteries enclosed in one unit and storage of 10kW hours. It’s enough to power the average home throughout the evening, until the sun rises the next day.”
Installing the LAVO Life system
Installing the LAVO Life system was a seamless process. “They came at 8am and had a smart way of fixing the solar panels so that they didn’t have to drill through any roof tiles. By the time I got home from work the technicians were gone and the system was already generating power.”
The inverter and battery system “were much smaller than I expected, with very little cabling visible and the two batteries encased in a sleek, white all-in-one box”. The battery technology gives Wodek peace of mind as the units are cobalt-free and made by leading global manufacturers. “I know LAVO uses materials that make it safer than a traditional lithium battery.”
Maximising efficiency
Wodek suggested an unusual installation orientation in order to maximise light exposure for the solar panels. “I asked for the panels to be on the east and west side of the roof, as we don’t have north and south exposure. It’s working very well for us.” The result? Their home uses solar power in real time during daylight hours and charges the battery for overnight use.
Creating power-saving habits
The flexible set-up and LAVO battery allows the Jakubiks to be largely off-grid and retain their overnight cooling preference. “It’s also about changing habits, such as putting the dishwasher on first thing rather than in the evening, running the washing machine when the sun is shining and Dorota now starts her kiln in the morning.
“Having waited until the technology was accessible, affordable and reliable, Wodek is content with his set-and-forget solar system. “There are no moving parts, it’s completely quiet and doesn’t ask for anything – it’s there doing its job.”
