⚡Powering My Life: A Deep Dive into Tesla Solar and EV, and Electricity Usage in our Florida Home
Hey everyone! I’m excited to share my experience of combining Tesla solar panels with my Tesla Model 3 here in sunny Florida. As a homeowner with a 1300 sqft house, I’ve always been curious about how to make the most of our sunshine and reduce our reliance on the grid. Plus, with 90% of my car charging happening right here at home, I figured it was time to really dive into the numbers. So, I’m going to share some of the data and insights that I’ve gathered, and hopefully, it’ll help you if you’re thinking about making the same leap! It’s all about taking a DIY and data-driven approach to our personal finance, right?
🏡Home Sweet Home: What’s Our Energy Consumption?
Okay, so let’s talk numbers! Our household energy usage is a mix of power coming in and power going back out, thanks to the solar panels.
Monthly Energy Usage: A Detailed View
In 2024, we imported 12,811.25 kWh of energy, and exported 9,160.03 kWh back to the grid. That gives us a good overview of how much energy we’re using, and how much we’re generating. On average, we imported around 1067 kWh and exported about 763 kWh each month. ( Make sure to filter the data in below dashboard for the year 2024 to get the most relevant information.)
The Impact of EV Charging on Household Energy
Now, let’s talk about the star of the show – my Tesla Model 3! In 2024, we used a total of 3,250 kWh just to charge our car. That averages out to about 271 kWh per month. As you can see from the charts, some months we use more energy to charge our car, and some months, less. Since we are primarily charging at home, we are saving on the cost of gas. It’s amazing how cost-effective it can be when you use your own solar power to charge up your EV, right? It’s like our house is fueling our rides!
The Money Side of Things: Breaking Down Our Energy Costs
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – how much did all of this cost u
Total Energy Spending
In 2024, we spent a total of $3,086.79 on our total energy needs. Now, let’s break that down. $798.15 went to the grid, and we spent $2,288.64 on solar. This is where you really see the benefit of having solar – you’re investing in your own clean power.
Monthly Bills and Trends
Our average monthly energy bill came out to $257.23, and on average, we spent $46.04 per month on charging the car. The highest energy bills were seen in March, November, February, October, and January. This could be due to changes in weather or how much we’re using AC or other appliances in those months. And for reference, the cost per kWh is $0.17, which gives you an idea of how the charges are calculated.
📊See the Numbers: Our Energy Dashboard
I’ve created a Google Looker Studio dashboard to visualize all this data, and I’m super excited to share it with you! Google Looker Studio is a free tool that helps simply visualize data. It’s awesome because it’s easy to read, easy to share, and fully customizable. The dashboard has lots of charts and tables to make it easier to understand. When you go to the dashboard, be sure to filter the data for 2024 to see the numbers we just talked about. This will show you how we have managed to keep things going using solar, while also keeping our car charged, and we can see all of that clearly in the charts and tables.
What I've Learned: Key Takeaways from My Energy Experiment
This journey has been both fascinating and enlightening. I’ve realized that using solar energy and driving an EV is more than just a trend; it’s a real way to be kinder to the environment and to save money. The cost-effectiveness of charging an EV using our own solar power is something I wouldn’t have understood without diving into the data. And, the car is so much fun to drive. I love that the “One-Pedal Driving” feature makes it a joy to drive, and that the cost of charging my EV is so much less than paying for gas!
My Final Thoughts: Is Tesla Solar and an EV Worth It?
For me, absolutely! The combination of Tesla solar and an EV has made a significant difference in both my wallet and my carbon footprint. I encourage you to check out the dashboard yourself, and manage your energy as you wish. The more informed you are, the more you can make your money work for you! This has been a journey into taking control and making informed decisions about my own life, and I would encourage everyone to do the same!
So, what do you think? Do you have any questions, or have you also taken the step to solar and EV? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
