Powering Contemporary Coastal Living at Menai
Completed by Smart energi — an approved SOLARWATT partner installer and certified BMW Battery vision installer — the project involved two striking new-build homes overlooking the iconic Menai Bridge. Designed with sustainability and modern living in mind, both properties integrate advanced solar technology seamlessly into their architectural design, including beautifully finished Welsh slate roofs.
Rather than treating renewable energy as an afterthought, the systems were incorporated into the homes’ overall design language from the outset — combining clean roof aesthetics, intelligent energy management, and integrated battery storage.
Both homes now benefit from SOLARWATT Battery vision storage systems developed in cooperation with BMW. The first property features a 10.4 kWh battery system, while the second has recently been enhanced with a 5.2 kWh battery, creating two tailored energy storage solutions designed around individual household requirements.
The result is a sophisticated renewable energy solution that balances performance, energy independence, and contemporary design.
Project Vision & Development Overview
Working in partnership with SOLARWATT, Wrexham-based Smart energi delivered two premium solar PV systems that combined intelligent energy technology with clean architectural integration across the homes’ stunning Welsh slate roofs.
The homeowners wanted more than lower energy bills. The goal was to create homes that balanced sustainability, energy independence, and premium design.
Both homes were equipped with SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 modules, SOLARWATT Inverter vision three 5 kW systems, SOLARWATT Manager intelligent energy management, and integrated battery storage solutions.
One property incorporates a SOLARWATT Battery vision 1.0 (10.4 kWh) system, while the second has been fitted with a SOLARWATT Battery vision 1.0 (5.2 kWh) system. Together, the installations demonstrate how battery storage can be scaled to suit different household energy profiles while maintaining a consistent technology platform and user experience.
Product Selection & System Quality
SOLARWATT systems were selected for their German engineering, European manufacturing standards, and long-term product warranties.
Key benefits included:
- Premium SOLARWATT solar technology
- European product and performance warranties
- Integrated compatibility across solar PV, battery storage, and smart energy management
- Dedicated technical support through Smart energi as an approved SOLARWATT partner installer and certified BMW Battery vision installer
- Flexibility to tailor battery storage capacity to individual homeowner requirements
Design & Installation Highlights
The project featured:
| Panels | 12 x SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 (450 Wp) modules on each property |
|---|---|
| Inverter | 1 x SOLARWATT Inverter vision three 5 kW systems on each property |
| Battery | 1 x SOLARWATT Battery vision 1.0 (10.4 kWh) system (first house) 1 x SOLARWATT Battery vision 1.0 (5.2 kWh) system (second house) |
| Manager | 1 x SOLARWATT Manager in each property |
Key design features included:
- Seamless integration across stunning Welsh slate roofs
- Minimal visible conduit and wiring
- Colour-matched mounting components
- Precise panel alignment for a clean visual finish
- Optimised positioning for maximum solar yield
The final result delivers a clean, contemporary appearance while maintaining the high-performance standards associated with SOLARWATT systems and Smart energi installations.
Advanced Battery Storage Technology
Both homes benefit from SOLARWATT Battery vision storage systems developed in cooperation with BMW and installed by Smart energi as a certified BMW Battery vision installer.
The first property incorporates a 10.4 kWh Battery vision system, while the second features a 5.2 kWh Battery vision system, creating a fully integrated solar-plus-storage solution across the development.
By storing excess solar energy generated during the day for use during evenings and periods of lower generation, both systems help increase self-consumption, reduce grid reliance, and improve overall energy independence.
The differing battery capacities demonstrate the flexibility of the SOLARWATT ecosystem, allowing storage solutions to be tailored to individual household requirements while maintaining a consistent platform for monitoring, optimisation, and future expansion.
Smart Energy Monitoring
By continuously monitoring solar generation, battery charging behaviour, household consumption, and grid interaction, SOLARWATT Manager optimises energy flows in real time to maximise self-consumption and overall system efficiency.
By linking SOLARWATT Manager with variable electricity tariffs, dynamic charging schedules can be created to make use of lower-cost electricity when solar production is limited, helping homeowners further reduce energy costs throughout the year.
Homeowners can visualise and control the system through the SOLARWATT Home App, providing:
- Real-time energy monitoring
- Battery and energy flow visualisation
- Historical performance insights
Together, SOLARWATT Manager and the SOLARWATT Home App create a connected smart energy ecosystem designed to support efficient modern living.
Results & Homeowner Benefits
Benefits included:
- Reduced energy costs
- Increased energy independence
- Integrated battery storage across both homes
- Intelligent smart energy management
- Seamless architectural integration
- Improved long-term sustainability
Since commissioning, the systems have achieved 72% self-sufficiency, with more than 1.4 MWh of solar energy generated.
The project demonstrates how renewable energy systems can complement contemporary architecture while delivering measurable performance and long-term value.
The results
| Metric | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|
| Property Type | Two newly built residential homes | |
| Solar PV | 12 x SOLARWATT Panel vision M 5.0 (450 Wp) modules per property | |
| Inverter Systems | SOLARWATT Inverter vision three 5 kW | |
| Battery Storage | Property 1: 10.4 kWh Battery vision 1.0 Property 2: 5.2 kWh Battery vision 1.0 | |
| Energy Management | SOLARWATT Manager & SOLARWATT Home App | |
| Primary Benefits | Reduced energy costs, increased self-sufficiency, energy independence, and sustainability | |
SOLARWATT & Smart energi Partnership
The Menai project demonstrates how European-engineered technology, intelligent battery storage, and high-quality installation standards can work together to create visually integrated modern homes.
“Working alongside Smart energi on these impressive homes overlooking the Menai Strait has demonstrated how premium renewable energy technology can be integrated seamlessly into contemporary architecture.
Partnerships are incredibly important to SOLARWATT. By working closely with trusted installers such as Smart energi, we can ensure homeowners benefit not only from high-performance products, but also from expert installation, technical support, and a first-class customer experience.
Congratulations to the entire Smart energi team on delivering such a high-quality project.” - Neal Goddard, Sales Director
SOLARWATT UK & Ireland
About Smart energi
Smart energi is a leading residential and commercial renewable energy installer based in Wrexham, serving customers across North Wales, Mid Wales, Cheshire, Shropshire, The Wirral, and surrounding areas.
The company specialises in solar PV, battery storage, EV charging, and intelligent energy management solutions. As an approved SOLARWATT partner and certified BMW Battery vision installer, Smart energi delivers high-performance systems supported by expert installation, technical expertise, and long-term customer support.
“Working alongside SOLARWATT allowed us to deliver a solution that combined premium European-engineered technology, intelligent energy management, and exceptional installation quality across two stunning coastal homes overlooking the Menai Strait.
The partnership between Smart energi and SOLARWATT gives homeowners confidence not only in system performance, but also in the long-term reliability, technical support, and flexibility of the technology being installed.”
Conclusion
Through the partnership between SOLARWATT and Smart energi, the development combines premium European-engineered technology, intelligent battery storage, smart energy management, and high-quality installation standards into two visually striking coastal homes.
With stunning Welsh slate roofs, uninterrupted views across the Menai Strait, and tailored solar-plus-storage solutions, the project reflects a modern approach to sustainable living — where performance, aesthetics, and energy independence work together seamlessly.
The result is a showcase of how thoughtfully designed renewable energy systems can deliver long-term value, lower energy costs, and greater energy resilience without compromising architectural ambition.
SOLARWATT Home:
Control power, heating, and
e-mobility in one app.
SOLARWATT Home:
Control power, heating, and
e-mobility in one app.
SOLARWATT Home combines PV modules with battery storage and smart energy management to maximise your use of self-generated solar power. Optimise & monitor your panels, battery, heat pump, car charger, smart plugs and more in one app.
