Beth and Martin invested in an electric car, followed by 14 solar panels to provide electricity for their home. By making the most of cheaper overnight energy tariffs too, they’ve cut their bills and CO2 emissions.
They told us about the impact these changes have had on their lives, and how they’ve inspired friends and neighbours to do the same.
Beth says she and Martin both grew up in families that made careful use of resources. This has influenced “the way we look at the world and how we would like it to be wonderful for our children’s generation.”
They’ve self-built two previous homes, including a Swedish timber frame house with a range of energy-saving features. These include excellent insulation, a heat exchanger, and a system for collecting and using rainwater.
I would just say go for it, because it's good for you, it's good for the environment, it's good for your pocket.
Beth Booth
In 2017, Beth and Martin moved closer to their children and grandchildren, near Malvern. They chose a well-insulated, modern chalet, which they adapted to improve its EPC rating. “When we moved, the ambition was to live as well as we could, as economically as we could, and helping the environment,” Beth says.
Their new home had a south-facing roof, giving it maximum sun exposure. This provided an opportunity for solar panels, which hadn’t been possible in their previous house.
But with the rise of electric vehicles, Beth and Martin had a choice to make. “We were very keen to have an electric car and solar panels,” Martin explains, “but we couldn’t afford them both at the same time.”
They decided to buy the car first, choosing a new Kia Soul EV, which could cover 285 miles on a full charge. “The priority was that it should have a big range because we love the Lake District and we go up there a lot,” Beth says.
The couple had a home charging point installed and signed up for a special EV owners’ tariff, which gives them five hours of cheaper electricity overnight.
They charge the car for two nights before a big trip, then stopping to top up at garages or supermarkets on longer journeys.
While in their last house, Beth had helped get solar panels fitted on the village hall. So, she contacted the same company for a quote, along with two others.
They had 14 solar panels installed, which were fitted around a Velux window in the roof, as well as an 8.2kW home battery.
“That all went very well,” Beth recalls. “They were very good at disguising all the cables and things between the panels and the garage, where the battery and the inverter are.”
The installation took around four days. But they then waited six weeks to get connected so they could sell electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee.
Beth says all they need to do now is get their window cleaner to wipe down the panels once a year.
Our house is very comfortable. And we’re very happy with how it works,
Martin Booth
Their sustainable journey has involved a few hiccups along the way.
Initially, there was an issue connecting the solar panel system to the internet. “We had to get a booster for the WiFi to make it work, because the signal’s not very good,” Martin says.
With the EV, Beth and Martin say they’ve twice had a problem with its auxiliary battery running out. But with roadside assistance through their breakdown cover, they were able to resolve this easily.
“Our house is very comfortable. And we’re very happy with how it works,” Martin says. During the daytime they use power from their home battery, which is topped up by the solar panels, with excess energy exported to the grid. At night, they use their cheaper off-peak electricity tariff to charge their EV and battery.
“It has involved changing a few things to really use the system as well as we can,” Martin explains. “For instance, washing machines, dishwashers go on at night. You just fall into a routine where, before we go to bed, we put things on.”
Although Beth and Martin still have a gas boiler, the solar panels and nighttime energy prices have reduced their bills.
As for the EV, Beth says “it’s fantastic,” and that four years after buying it, the car can still cover 285 miles on a full charge.
Beth and Martin’s Kia Soul EV cost them around £33,000 in 2020, although these cars are no longer in production. Beth says that if they charge it overnight, it costs just 2p per mile to drive.
The 14 solar panels cost around £9,000, including the battery and installation costs. Beth says that since spring 2022, they’ve generated over 14.7MW of electricity.
Beth and Martin are able to sell unused energy back to their supplier at a rate of 15p per kilowatt.
Their monthly energy bills are now around £100, which covers gas central heating, home electricity and car charging. According to Ofgem a typical direct debit gas bill is £68.50 and electricity is £72.50. Plus the average cost of a full tank of petrol is around £45, so Beth and Martin are saving a substantial amount.
For anyone thinking of solar panels, Beth says it’s worth knowing that they don’t have to be blue. “We’ve always said that we don’t like the solar panels with all the wires on them, so we paid a little bit extra and had plain black ones.”
They say this is why so many friends and neighbours have asked about them. Inspired by what they’ve done, seven local families have now installed solar panels, and three of them have EVs too.
To anyone else thinking about it? “I would just say go for it,” says Beth, “because it’s good for you, it’s good for the environment, it’s good for your pocket.”
Thinking ahead, Beth and Martin say their gas boiler will need replacing in a few years. They don’t have space for a heat pump, but would like to look at electric combi boilers when the time comes.
We’re here to support your journey to a more energy efficient home with impartial, expert advice on your options and funding available.
Our energy at home information can help you explore a range of options, from low carbon heating and renewable energy, to insulation and energy efficient appliances. Our tools and calculators can help you work out the costs and benefits of each one too.
Solar panels capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity for your home. Here’s how they work and their benefits.
Choosing an electric car can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Insulating and draught-proofing your home helps prevent wasting heat.
Last updated: 3 March 2025
