Harnessing the power of the sun to meet your home’s energy needs through rooftop solar is not just a leap towards sustainability, but also an effective way to reduce electricity bills. However, the path to solar adoption comes with critical decisions – one of the most significant being the determination of the right size for your solar system. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through this process, ensuring that your transition to solar energy is as smooth and beneficial as possible.
Step 1: Understand Your Energy Usage
The first and most crucial step in determining the size of the solar system needed for your house is to understand your current energy consumption patterns. This is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and can be found on your monthly electricity bill. Analyzing your yearly energy usage gives you a benchmark for understanding how much power you need to generate to cover your consumption.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Roof’s Solar Potential
Not every roof is ideal for solar panels due to factors such as space, angle, and exposure to sunlight. It’s essential to assess the available space on your roof as well as its orientation and inclination. South-facing roofs in the Northern Hemisphere usually receive optimal sunlight. Additionally, consider potential shading from trees, buildings, or other structures that might affect the efficiency of your solar panels.
Step 3: Decide on Your Energy Goals
Your goals can significantly influence the size of the solar system you choose. Some homeowners aim to reduce their carbon footprint and might opt for a system that covers a significant portion of their energy needs. Others might target complete energy independence, thus requiring a system size that generates 100% of their electricity usage. Understanding your objectives will guide you in selecting a system that aligns with your ambitions.
Step 4: Calculate the Size of the Needed Solar System
To estimate the size of the system you’ll need, a simple calculation can be used: divide your annual electricity usage (in kWh) by the annual solar irradiance (in kWh/m²) your location receives, adjusted by the efficiency of the solar panels you plan to install. This calculation provides an estimate of the total system size in kilowatts (kW).
For example, if your annual electricity usage is 12,000 kWh and your area receives about 1,500 kWh/m²/year with solar panels that are 15% efficient, you would need a system size of approximately 8 kW.
Trident Solar is here to guide you through the process of determining the appropriate size solar install to meet your needs. By designing a system that maximizes efficiency of your solar system, we are able to achieve the most cost effective solution for your project.
