Adam and his wife Kerryn have their hands full running a small engineering company from home and raising their sons Max and Harry. Their solar battery keeps their busy household going – and blazes a brighter trail for their boys.
The Langmans’ passion for harnessing solar power
Since installing a solar battery, Adam's been able to rely on captured solar energy, which in turn, helps lower their electricity bills and reliance on fossil fuels.
As any parent knows, it takes a whole lot of energy to raise kids. Adam Langman and his wife Kerryn certainly do, with their active and imaginative boys Harry and Max.
From rocking out on the electric drums and playing video games with the boys, to running a business from home, this Adelaide family is always buzzing around the house.
A bright idea
One day last summer, Adam realised the large roof of their suburban home presented a great opportunity to start collecting solar energy. It could help power the busy family’s activities and help save them some money while helping the environment.
“There was certainly that financial driver, but we also feel really good about using our own power,” Adam says.
“We generate almost three times more than we use, so most of our home is powered by the sun and the solar panels and our solar battery.”
A growing interest in solar
Adam and Karen are doing their best to pass on their environmentally conscious attitude to Harry and Max. One day the family was in their back garden, admiring their vibrant, blooming sunflowers collection. The flowers started as nothing more than small seedlings. But they ended up taller than the Langmans.
“Harry asked where the plants get their energy from, and we told him that solar energy helps them grow,” Adam says. “And he linked that concept. He said that if the sun powers our plants, it can also power our house.
“He’s already so interested in solar that he could just about give me a lesson about it.”
The Langmans’ enthusiasm for utilising the sun’s energy even extends to their family pet – one of their dogs is named “Sunshine”.
Taking the next solar step
Adam and his family love the benefits of their solar panels. They’re able to rely on their own captured solar energy at home, which in turn, helps lower their electricity bills and reliance on fossil fuels. But like most families, the Langmans use a lot of power in the mornings and evenings, making meals, hanging out and getting ready for work and school.
They realised that once the sun set, they went back to using power from the electricity grid even though they had captured plenty of solar during the day. They could do even more for themselves and the planet with a solar battery.
“By adding the solar battery, it means when we’re putting the kids to bed at night and if it’s a bit too hot or cold and we need to put the air conditioning on, we’re using our own stored energy through the evening.”
The solar battery means there’s little stress when it comes to using appliances and having fun at home. Along with AC, everyday appliances and all the tech and toys that come with a young family, .
“I have computer servers, a networking system and internet coverage throughout our house, Adam says.
“When we’re hanging out playing board games together, or running the bath or preparing dinner in the evening, we can still use the power we captured during the day.”
Teamwork makes a more sustainable dream work
Another valuable lesson to teach kids is the importance of being a team player. The AGL Virtual Power Plant's (VPP) network that spans most states in Australia lets the Langmans do exactly that.
The VPP allows the family to work with other solar battery owners to make it easier for everybody to share energy. Using cloud technology to create a network that connects solar batteries, the VPP lets solar battery owners share their excess power with the grid, where others can use it.
“We generate almost three times more solar power than we need and we export about 12 times more than we import from the grid. The solar battery allows us to greater utilise the free energy we capture,” Adam says.
“We can act as a team to inject that solar power into the system, so we can all use it, even people that don’t have solar batteries themselves. The solar batteries themselves are small, but when a lot of them are working together they can make a real difference.”
Keeping on track with the app
With the AGL app, Adam can check everything from the status of his solar panels and solar battery to how much his family benefits.
With a few taps, he can see how much energy is stored in the solar battery, his family’s usage, how often his excess solar has been shared to the grid and the credit he’s built up for his electricity bills.
Adam admits he’s “obsessed with the app” and loves tracking his family’s solar usage to see if they can top it each month. Even in the hottest and coldest parts of the year, when the Langmans rely heavily on their AC to heat and cool their house, their electricity bills are small or non-existent.
“It’s just great to have that confirmation at your fingertips,” Adam says.
In addition to the app, Adam says he’s felt supported on his solar journey from day one.
“The connection experience with AGL was quick and easy. And they’ve been there throughout. They’re there when I need to talk to them, information’s always available to me and just lets us get on with life.”
A brighter future for his children
A lower electricity bill is just one of the many motivations for using a solar battery. Adam believes it’s about doing something that aligns with your values and sends a good message to the next generation.
“The environmental rewards and the message we’re sending our children is really important,” Adam says.
“We can’t live on a planet that doesn’t exist. I don’t think anyone can save the planet, but we’ve taken that small step ourselves to contribute and be part of the solution.”
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