Step 1 = Calculate how much energy you need in watts or kilowatt
Step 2 =
It is NOT based on how many people are living in the house. It is based on the equipment or appliances you want to run and how long each day you typically run them. It does not get more individual than that. The amount of energy you and your family consumes each day will vary among individuals habits and personal choices.
To begin the process of sizing your solar system you first need to pull your most recent 12 months utility bills and record the kWh from each month. Then take the total of the 12 months kWh then ÷ by 365 to get your daily average usage. This number is critical to begin the process for a grid-tie system. Don't have 12 months worth of history? Then average what you do have or if you are moving into a different house use the bills from your current home to get an idea of your energy usage. You can usually find the kWh near the top of the first page of you utility bills. An alternative method would be to go on line and down load the information or call your local utility company to find out your most recent 12 months total. One thing to note is that at some locations around the country you are charged extra for using electricity during a specific time of the day, usually in the afternoon hours of the summertime. It may be important to understand that peak period of higher charges because that information may help you down the road when you decide on your budget for your project and how best to maximize your return on investment. A smaller solar kit positioned to harvest and create the most energy during these peak tier rate times may be where you want to start.
Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels that can provide many benefits for homeowners and the environment. Solar energy is captured by solar panels and converted into electricity that can power homes or businesses. Some of the features and benefits of solar energy are: - Lower electric bills: Solar panels can reduce or eliminate your dependence on grid electricity and save you money on your energy costs. - Lower carbon footprint: Solar panels do not emit greenhouse gases or deplete natural resources, unlike fossil fuels. By going solar, you can reduce your impact on climate change and air pollution. - Higher home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home by making it more attractive to potential buyers who want to save on energy bills and support clean energy. - Water conservation: Solar panels do not require water to generate electricity, unlike some conventional power plants that use water for cooling or steam. By going solar, you can conserve water and protect water resources. - Net metering: Solar panels can generate more electricity than you need during the day, and you can sell the excess power back to the grid for credits or cash. This way, you can offset your electricity usage at night or during cloudy days and lower your electric bills even more.