Are you planning to switch to solar energy?
One of the primary reasons people avoid renewable energy is the solar panel cost. Solar panels may seem expensive, but knowing how many solar panels you need will keep you from overpaying. After all, every property has varying energy needs.
The lack of prior experience could lead you to overpay. Continue reading below for a guide to calculating the number of solar panels your home needs.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?
To calculate, you must determine your home’s average energy usage. Revisit your summer and winter energy bills. If you spend $100 monthly on electricity, find a solar array producing roughly the same amount of energy.
Solar panels can produce energy consistently for at least 20 years. The average American home consumes 10,649 kWh of electricity per year.
Next, get the solar panel wattage or power rating. It is the panel’s electricity output under the best conditions. Most solar panels have a power rating of 250 to 400 watts.
For the calculation, use 320 watts as an average. Lastly, get the production ratios of the solar panel system. It is the ratio of the system’s estimated energy output over time to the actual system size.
For example, if a 10 kW solar panel system generates 14 kWh of electricity, the formula is 14/10 = 1.4 production ratio. To calculate the number of panels, use the following formula: system size/production ratio/panel wattage.
The final equation is 10,649 kWh/1.4/320 = 23.77. It means your home needs around 23 to 24 solar panels.
Solar panels are not perfect and have some downsides. Check out blueravensolar.com/blog/why-go-solar-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-solar/ for a breakdown of the advantage and disadvantages of going solar.
Factors Affecting Solar Panel Efficiency
Different factors affect how much solar power the panels can absorb. Some are controllable while others are not.
The amount of shade covering the panels can affect their efficiency. The cells inside the panels feature connected wires. When shading affects some of these cells, it disrupts the current flow of the entire solar power system.
Another is your roof’s orientation. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, position the solar panels facing the south to get the maximum sunlight. Tilt the panels between a 30 and 40-degree angle to produce the most amount of energy possible.
Lastly, keep your solar panels clean and free of any obstruction.
Tips for Choosing the Right Solar Panel Provider
As more people embrace solar power, new manufacturers will spring left and right. The first thing to look for in a solar panel company is its accreditation. They should also have the license to install solar panels.
Talk to at least three companies and request estimates. Compare the estimates and ask as many questions as possible.
A good company will not pressure you to buy. Instead, they will provide valuable information to make an informed decision.
Increase Your Home Improvement Knowledge Now
Now you know how many solar panels to buy, you can avoid overspending. You can also get the best value for your money as you transition off the grid.
Did you find this guide helpful? Discover more home improvement tips by checking our other articles.