Before installing a solar system in your house, you must calculate the number of solar panels required to provide efficient energy your home. Calculating this is done by considering a number of factors that are necessary for your solar system installation. These include:
- The location of your house
- The efficiency of the solar panel you intend to purchase
- The power rate of the panel
- The level of electricity required by your house or the electricity consumed
We deduced that a regular home would need about 25 solar panels to supply up to 100% of electricity consumed with a precise estimation. To appropriately calculate the numbers of solar panels needed for your house, here is how we do it. We consider the annual electricity usage, the production ratios, and the solar panel wattage. To properly understand this calculation, it is important that you understand each of the factors considered.
What Is The Annual Electricity Usage Of Your House?
The annual electricity or power usage is the quantity of electricity you use in your house per year. This energy is calculated in kilowatts per hour (kWh) and kilowatts are influenced by the number of appliances you have at home. Naturally, someone with multiple kitchen appliances, a television, a refrigerator, and other high-electricity-consuming gadgets will use more energy than some with few kitchen appliances and few home gadgets.
The US Energy Information Administration mention that an average home in America uses about 10,649 kWh of energy every year. To achieve a result that applies to the majority of the house, we use this report of US Energy Information Administration as the yardstick.
It is important to point out that this assumed number may not apply to your house depending on the number of appliances you use. To get a more accurate result, use the number on your last year’s utility bill.
Solar Panel Wattage
Solar panel wattage (W) is the amount of electricity produced by a particular panel when placed under a good temperature. The majority of the available solar panel in the United States provide between 250 – 400 watts of energy.
Solar Panel Production Ratios
The production ratios of a solar panel imply the energy output produced by calculating the actual system size and the estimated energy produced over a particular time. The amount of energy output produced by a solar panel depends entirely on the level of sunlight it is exposed to. High and lasting sunlight means a higher production ratio. In the US, frequent production ratios are between 1:3 and 1:6.
Solar Power Calculation For Your Home Size
Formula: Number of panels = system size / production ratio / panel wattage
Calculating the number of panels required for an average house in the United States. In the calculation, we use 10,648 kWh, 350 W, and a 1:4 production ratio
10,649 kWh/1:4/350 W = 22 solar panel (approx.)
When there is a reduced annual electricity usage, low production ratio, and low solar power rate, there will be a reduced number of solar panels required. In the same vein, an increase in the three determining factors will mean that your house requires more solar panels.
Purchasing A Solar System For Your Home
Putting your house location into consideration can do more good than expected. In fact, it is a determining factor when contemplating whether to buy a solar system or not. If your house is located where the system can get the ideal temperature to enhance energy generation, purchasing the solar system is a good idea. Where it is not, it may be better to stick to the usual electricity supply because the solar system is actually too expensive to get a low result
It is also important to consider the wattage of the solar panel you are buying, particularly if you intend to use multiple appliances because the capacity of the panel and the temperature will determine the amount of power to be generated. This may mean paying more for the system, but it’s an expense that’s worth the price.
Conclusion
It is important to get the calculation right before proceeding to installing a solar power system in your home. Many sellers of this system will definitely be ready to help you resolve this problem. Hence, all you will need to provide is accurate annual electricity usage. Once the calculation is right, you can be sure to enjoy your solar system for more than 6 years with little maintenance.
