We think its only fair we dedicate one day per week for you all to post your setup pictures!
It doesn't have to be just restricted to your Sigenergy installation, feel free to show us your solar or other connected systems.
Perhaps provide your weekly statistic whilst you're at it...
Hi all,
Somehow a year has already passed since my installation, which is documented here for anyone bored: https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarUK/s/3jXEIXZEek
I’ve kept track of everything on a spreadsheet to monitor how the payback is going and various other nerdy stats. It was a huge personal investment for me, so I’ve been keen to reassure myself it has been worth it.
When I previously posted this, I wrote a terrible misleading title (which cannot be edited). It was also rightly pointed out I had not taken into account the loss of interest due to the initial outlay in my figures, so I’ve tried to incorporate this below.
The demand:
Estimated 13,000 kWh per year
EV charger, ASHP - property only uses electricity
The setup:
x40 475W Panels split over East/West
16kW SigenStor Battery
12kW SigenStor Inverter with 9kW export
The headline stats:
15.05 MWh Generated (9 Trees)
11.89 MWh Exported
11.56 MWh Imported
System payback:
I was originally paying on average £280 per month on electricity bills. I’ve calculated this to be £94 average per month or £1128 for the last 12 months. Incredible considering I was spending around £3360 per year before. I’m therefore saving £2232 per year on bills.
On average I make £152 per month export (£1834 in 12 months which HMRC has to be informed of), however the bulk of this was at 16.5p so that was good whilst it lasted! I’m waiting to move to EDF at 15p for the next 12 months, whilst I wait, I’m with Fuse at 13p.
With the huge benefit of export, on average, I am £58 per month in the green, not taking into account the initial outlay.
Install cost was £16,800 (March 2025 in West Midlands) and the payback was calculated at 5yrs 6months
12 months in and I’ve calculated this to be down to £12,554, so £4246 in 12 months.
That would place me on track to approx 4 years payback, but obviously the export rates play a big part in this and I fully expect these to reduce over the coming years.
The Opportunity Cost:
I wanted to see how this compares to if I had just left that cash in the bank or invested it. I won’t pretend to know about this and relied on Google and AI to help me present and fact check it.
- If I'd put it in a 4.5% Cash ISA, it would have made ~£756. Subtracting that "lost" interest, my net solar benefit this year is still £3,490 (putting me on a 5 year payback track).
- If I'd thrown it into an index fund averaging 7.5%, it would have made approx £1,260. My net solar benefit drops to £2,986, moving the payback back to my original 5.5-year estimate. (I’ve not factored in Capital Gains Tax)
Even factoring in the lost investment gains, a tax-free net return of 17.7% (or a raw cash ROI of 25.2%) in year one blows standard investments out of the water. Unless I am missing something? Feel free to correct my understanding/figures.
As for equipment depreciation and lifespan, with a 5 year payback track and a 10-25 year warranty on the sig and solar, the system will be generating pure, tax-free profit long after it has paid itself off. (Addressing another point that was raised previously)
I’m obviously not saying this is the case for all solar/battery installations and there are numerous factors to take into account, but it’s safe to say I’m very happy with my decision and the outcome so far.
Sigenergy have announced their next generation SigenStor domestic all-in-one solution, the Neo.
SigenStor Neo is a highly integrated, all-in-one energy solution designed as the first choice for families starting with solar and energy storage.
With AI as invisible intelligence built in, it simplifies PV and energy storage by integrating the Gateway into a single system-delivering smarter energy management that feels intuitive, efficient, and effortless from day one.
Reduced to what truly matters, the design expresses clarity and restraint. Familiar visual signatures are thoughtfully retained, carrying the story forward as functionality advances to meet new expectations.
SigenStor Neo seamlessly integrates the EMS, PV inverter, battery PCS, battery pack, and the backup module, essentially functioning as a simplified gateway.
No mod mail is possible as the community is restricted.
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Why I’m requesting r/how and how I’ll run it:
The word 'how' is one of the most frequently searched terms on the internet, yet r/how is currently sitting dormant.
My goal is to revitalise this community into Reddit’s premier destination for practical, actionable knowledge, curiosity with genuine questions with genuine answers.
I will enforce strict quality controls against link-farming and self-promotion, utilising robust AutoModerator filters, and encouraging native, text-based guides.
I will build a safe, highly educational space. I will introduce mandatory flairs, weekly themed threads to drive engagement, and actively recruit a global moderation team to manage the inevitable growth of such a foundational subreddit name.
This would become an unrestricted, safe for work subreddit for everyone to enjoy.
Appreciate this is perhaps more specific to Sigenergy Users due to the lack of automated events…
I emailed Axle last week asking if they could please add the account login link to their event emails.
Perhaps it’s just me (and it’s hardly the issue of the century) but being told about the event and then needing to separately dig out the login link is annoying my OCD.
I think there is still the need in general as someone may wish to opt out for some reason, so having the login page link in that email would be really handy.
Off to moan about something else fairly insignificant now….
Have you recently made the switch? Is it because it because of the Go Electric tariff or for other reasons?
What will or do you think you’ll miss about moving from Octopus?
If you’ve got a home battery or solar setup, you might have seen Axle Energy popping up more and more it’s worth knowing what it actually does.
Axle Energy is not an energy supplier. It’s a UK-based software platform that connects home energy devices to electricity markets, with the goal of helping to balance the electricity grid using renewable technology instead of fossil fuels. 
How does it work?
The grid has to balance supply and demand in real time.
Traditionally, that meant switching fossil fuel plants on and off. But as more wind and solar come online, supply becomes less predictable, and that’s where flexibility becomes one of the most valuable tools in the energy system. 
Axle Energy connects thousands of home energy systems and coordinates them to support the grid when it needs it most. This is known as a Virtual Power Plant, or VPP linking thousands of home batteries, EV chargers, and heat pumps, and coordinating them like one big power station. 
What’s in it for you?
Quite a lot, actually:
- Earn money passively. Eligible battery owners can earn at least £10 per month, guaranteed, by allowing their system to help balance the grid when it’s needed. 
- No extra hardware. There’s no need to switch energy suppliers and no extra hardware to install. You keep full use of your battery as normal. 
- Fully automated. Once connected, the system runs in the background. Axle monitors grid demand and automatically dispatches your battery during grid events. Earnings are credited directly to your Axle account, and you’ll receive email notifications whenever events occur.
There is an issue with Sigenergy at the moment, so does require manual intervention to set the battery back to your previous setting post event)
- Smart optimisation option. If you want more, their AI can take over scheduling entirely, looking at your specific energy tariff (it works well with Octopus Agile and Flux), your solar forecast, and your usage patterns to charge your battery when prices are lowest and export when they are highest. 
- Bigger earnings potential. The company expects to offer end users savings of up to £400 per home battery per year by paying up to £1 per kWh exported during grid events. This is in addition to your export rate by your energy provider.
Is it worth it?
If your battery is just sitting there storing solar (or off peak rate electricity), Axle essentially turns it into a small income stream on the side. It requires no effort on your part after the initial setup. There are no exit fees, and you do not need an MCS certificate to participate. 
Axle Energy is the UK’s largest independent aggregator, connecting to hundreds of thousands of devices , and their list of supported hardware is growing. It’s worth checking their site to see if your battery is compatible.
There is also r/AxleEnergy you can visit and join, so please check them out.
We do not allow referral link posts, but you have the option to add your link to your Reddit profile and members can find it that way, perhaps consider this as a way of thanking them if they’ve helped you in this sub.
One referral link I am happy to share is: PredBat author for Home Assistant.
Please show your support someone who really gives back to the community with his excellent work and contribution:
Predbat's Axle Energy Referral Code
*Some information in this post is captured by AI
Has anyone else who’s recently moved to EDF had an incorrect (higher amount) direct debit and taken out on the incorrect day?
I’m on Go Electric and agreed (in order to get the best tariff) to go on direct debit but one which I set at £50 on the 2nd of the month.
The app clearly displays this, however my bank is showing a pending payment of £121 in three days time.
I’ve obviously contacted EDF and waiting on their response, but curious if anyone else had this issue?
The 5th Gen GR Sport was specifically built in Japan and often considered better build quality compared to models built elsewhere.
Does anyone know whether the new 6th Gen is still built solely in Japan or will its release more globally mean it’s now built in multiple countries?
Interested to see what efficiency you're getting in your 2026 > RAV4 GR Sport?
Can you describe the driving style and road types against you figure please?
Link to the mod mail sent to the mods of r/why (If the subreddit is banned and mod mail wasn't required, delete this line and the link):
https://www.reddit.com/c/chat3XZ1vwRr/s/SuYElRR3Qp
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Why I’m requesting r/why and how I’ll run it... there is some irony right there...
r/why will become an active, welcoming community centred around the simple but powerful question of "why?"
My vision is a mixed-purpose space where curiosity, humour, and learning coexist.
It could be a question why based on deep philosophical discussions, relatable everyday observations or genuine questions answered by knowledgeable members.
I would also like to work with the community and see what direction they would like to take r/why in.
Fun, interesting, factual, entertaining, educational and lighthearted all rolled into one.
I plan to actively moderate the sub to keep it engaging and inclusive, establishing clear community guidelines to encourage quality content across all of these themes.
I am an active user of Reddit and moderate several other communities, for example r/SolarUK where I have spent a great deal of time improving the rules, auto moderation, auto responses, flair and applications to improve the overall quality of content, community spirit and moderation efficiency. I would plan to do this with r/why too.
I’m curious whether Toyota have addressed some of the annoyances of the previous gen infotainment.
Does it have as many random disconnections from the My Toyota account or profile sync issues?
Is there still pop up screens on start up?
Is it doing any behaviour that annoys you?
A few kind souls have been messaging me privately keen to support my work on this EDF library - thank you also to those who haven't been in touch but have used my EDF referral code which is linked from the GitHub page.
So here's a post of referral links / options to sponsor the development.
I'm normally a bit too modest to share referral links etc - but as the library is gobbling up a fair bit of my time (should slow down once more established) I'm swallowing that pride and making this post. I'll also add the links to the 'support this project' areas of the GitHub readme.
No pressure to do any of the things listed here - but if you do, thank you.
Steve
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Fuse Energy:
I fixed my gas with Fuse Energy as they offered a better fixed rate for longer (13 months), and lower standing charges than either Octopus or EDF offered me.
They also offer standalone SEG at 13p a unit if your existing supplier offers less and allows you to take your export elsewhere.
When you join you can use a friend's code and spin the wheel to win between £25 and £150 in bill credit.
My friend code is: STEVE25217
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Axle VPP:
If you have a home battery from GivEnergy, SigEnergy, Fox, Solax, Solis, or SolarEdge you can earn £1 per kwh (minimum £10 a month) for signing up with Axle Energy's Virtual Power Plant.
They'll (either through your manufacturer's API, or you can schedule it yourself using their HomeAssistant plugin) export from your battery at times when the grid needs support in your area. The £1 per kwh hour charge is on top of whatever you already get from your energy provider.
I've had £60+ already from them this year.
Get £25 credit by using my sign up link:
https://vpp.axle.energy/landing?ref=R-ZFQNNABO
with GivEnergy in administration and now charging £5 per month for their app / API usage the referral no longer applies to their kit - but you do get free premium subscription instead of (worth £60 per year).
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Monzo Bank:
https://join.monzo.com/c/8chg56v
Up to £50 for opening a business account.
£10 for a personal account.
When the biggest football tournament kicks off, we're offering our customers free electricity to watch England and Scotland games. And if you don't like footy, put a wash on and have an early night!
Get 2 hours of free electricity during every England or Scotland match — extended to 3 hours if knockout games go to extra time.
Existing customers can take part if they:
- have a smart meter
- register in advance
Sign up before kick-off
Existing customers: Sign up before 23:59 the day before the game via the 'Energy Events' tab in Energy Hub in MyAccount (sorry, it's not in our app).
If you're not signed up for Energy Hub yet, it takes just minutes to set yourself up. You'll need to have a smart meter to sign up.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll automatically receive free electricity for all remaining matches that England or Scotland play
Welcome to r/EDFEnergy Make a Friend Application:
https://jimbobsticle.github.io/EDF_Make_A_Friend/
This application is for community members so they can be formally introduced as a friend.
Anyone using the application will randomly generate one of the r/EDFEnergy member's profile links, from there, they can view their new friends' social links... such as their EDF Referral Code.
To submit your profile follow these steps:
Click on https://www.reddit.com/user/me/ to go to your profile and copy and save your profile URL, it should contain your username in the url link
Add your social links in your reddit profile... such as your EDF Referral Code
Click on https://jimbobsticle.github.io/EDF_Make_A_Friend/ to view the application and submit your profile url where indicated.
Rules:
- To join the application, you MUST be a member of r/EDFEnergy.
- Only one unique profile link can be submitted
- All links are removed after 12 months, allowing you to update your profile url again
- Anyone found abusing the system with more than one profile will be banned
- Administrator statistics are collected on how many clicks each username has, we reserve the right to remove any links we consider abusing the system.
Issues or Questions:
If you have any issues using the app or any questions, please email the moderators using this link: https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=r/EDFEnergy