Many homeowners turn to solar panels for lower utility bills, but for Molly and her husband Jim, going solar was about much more than saving money. It was about being a responsible citizen in the era of climate change.
In 2018, Molly and Jim partnered with Cascadia Solar to install a solar + LG battery system for their home in Cape George. Their goal was to generate clean energy and reduce their reliance on the electric grid while also ensuring they had access to backup power in case of an outage.
They loved the system and working with the team at Cascadia Solar so much that in 2024, they decided to expand it!
The original solar energy system we installed in 2018 was a 5.76 kW grid-tied array with eighteen 320W panels and a 10kWh LG battery. It generated about 7,000 kWh annually, saving the couple thousands of dollars on their energy bills over the last seven years.
In 2024, Molly and Jim decided to expand their solar power system to accommodate their growing energy needs. With one all-electric car and one plug-in hybrid, they wanted to ensure that their household remained sustainable.
Cascadia Solar stepped up to the challenge, increasing their system size to 9.54 kW and adding about 3,400 kWh in annual production.
Our goal was to increase the system’s output as much as possible using their existing inverter while maxing out the best locations on their roof. Tying into the existing inverter allowed the couple to keep the cost down and maximize the output of their equipment in the most efficient way possible.
To keep the system looking great, we installed matching black panels that blend seamlessly with the original setup.
The truth is that energy demand can change over time, and we are happy to help our customers adapt to the future and meet their clean energy goals over the years. Molly and Jim are now producing over 10MWh of clean energy every year to match their increased demand for electricity after purchasing an electric vehicle.
Monitoring for Long-Term Confidence
The SolarEdge monitoring dashboard gives Molly and Jim real-time data on system performance, battery charge, and solar production. It also alerts both the homeowners and Cascadia Solar to any potential issues.
Molly and Jim can track their battery status and state of charge during an outage, as well as how much solar is coming in. This allows them to monitor and adjust their energy consumption based on solar conditions to make their battery last as long as possible.
For Molly, the greatest reward of having solar is knowing that her household is part of the solution to climate change.
But the financial benefits have also been undeniable:
And with the LG battery, their home is more resilient. Living in a region where weather can disrupt the grid, Molly and Jim have peace of mind knowing their home can seamlessly switch to stored solar power during an outage.
Molly and Jim’s solar journey is a testament to the power of solar energy. By investing in solar and battery storage, they’ve achieved their goal of reducing their fossil fuel consumption while lowering their electricity costs and increasing their resiliency.
Everyone’s solar goals are different and Cascadia Solar is here to help you meet yours. Whether you want to reduce your environmental impact, lower your electric bill, charge an EV with clean energy, or add backup power for peace of mind, our team can help. We take the time to understand your goals so we can install a system that will serve you best.
