When you install solar panels on your roof, the first thing that probably crosses your mind is how much electricity they will generate. Truth to be told, this is probably the first and foremost thing that any homeowner considers when they are deciding whether or not to install these types of eco-friendly components on their home. Although everyone has different ideas about how much electricity they need and what type of lifestyle they are looking for, this article will tell you exactly how much energy your solar panel system will produce and if it will be enough to meet your needs. We will examine the question from three perspectives – how much electricity does your home use currently, how many sunny days could you expect to see in a year, and how much power could your solar panels generate in this case?
Current Usage
Before we begin, it is essential to point out that this amount will vary based on a variety of factors. This includes things such as how many people are living in your home and how much energy they are using daily. In most situations, if you are living in a two-person household, you will only get a portion of the energy that your home needs. For this reason, you must take into consideration how much electricity your partner uses and how much space you have available for these panels. If you are looking for a one-stop shop for all your energy needs, you can contact an energy provider who can give you an estimate on how much electricity you will use and how much money you will save annually by having this type of system installed on your roof.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household in America uses about 15,500 kilowatt – hours of electricity per year. For those living in more rural areas or in smaller cities, this number may be slightly higher. The average individual uses about 3,600 kilowatt – hours of electricity per day, so if you are looking for an eco-friendly way to power your home, consider the benefits of going solar.
Sunny Days
Another crucial factor to consider in determining how much energy you will produce with your solar panels is how many sunny days you could expect to see. In most areas of the country, the weather is pretty consistent, so you can expect to have about the same number of sunny days each year. If you live in a more extreme climate where the weather is unpredictable, you may need to tweak your solar strategy a little bit.
Somewhat similar to how much electricity you use, the amount of energy your solar panels produce will depend on the number of sunny days you have each year. If you have a very sunny climate and lots of sun, you will get a lot of energy for free, which is why most homeowners choose to go this route. This also means you will not need to change your lifestyle much to generate enough power. In contrast, if you live in a more temperate climate and have fewer sunny days, you will need to make a more conscious effort to generate as much energy as you can, otherwise you will be wasting a lot of time in the winter.
Generation Capacity
The last factor we will examine is the generation capacity of your solar panels. This refers to how much energy your panels can produce at one time. Most homeowners choose to go with a system that can produce about 10 kilowatt – hours of electricity per day, depending on the size of the array. If you plan on using your panels every day, you will most likely need to invest in a system that can generate more power. For example, if you plan on using your panels during the week and not on weekends, you may want to consider an outfit that can generate 15 kW or more per day so that you can get all the electricity you need without needing to worry about having enough energy on weekends when everyone else is home and needing the electricity as well.
Producing More Than You Need
Based on the above discussion, you may be wondering how much energy you will need to sustain yourself. Well, before we get into that, let’s examine another important point about going solar. The energy produced by your solar panels is free, which is great if your objective is to try and save as much money as possible. However, if your goal is to produce as much energy as possible and avoid wasting resources, you should consider how much energy you need and make sure your solar system can produce this amount. So, how much energy do you need?
Well, to begin with, if you are looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable way to produce energy, you should aim to produce at least twice as much energy as you need. Ideally, you want to produce three times as much energy as you need, as this will ensure you do not run out of electricity during the year. Why waste resources when you can produce more? This being said, if your objective is just to save money and reduce your utility bills, you do not necessarily need to go this route.
Saving As Much Money As Possible
Now that we have examined the three major factors that determine how much energy your solar panels will produce, let’s examine how much money you could save by going solar. To begin with, if you are looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable way to produce energy, you should consider reducing your energy consumption and getting a solar panel system that can produce at least twice as much energy as you need. This will enable you to save a significant amount of money each year without having to change your lifestyle too much.
Besides, by producing more energy than you need, you avoid having to pay for expensive utility bills that come with a high consumption rate. Last but not least, the money you will save by reducing your energy consumption is also money you do not need to spend on expensive electricity. So, in summary, if your objective is to save money, reduce your energy consumption, and try to become more eco-friendly, you should invest in a solar panel system that can produce at least twice as much energy as you need.
Making Sure The Energy Will Not Waste
Although you will save a lot of money by going solar, this does not mean the energy produced will not be wasted. The truth is, even if you produce twice as much energy as you need, this does not guarantee you will use all of it. Remember, your panels will only generate energy when the sun is out, so if you live in a place where the weather is not that predictable, you can end up wasting energy during parts of the year, especially in the winter. To avoid this, you must be vigilant about monitoring and controlling your system as much as possible to ensure it does not get damaged or breaks down.
Also, if you live in a more extreme climate and have a lot of unpredictable weather, it may be a good idea to invest in a system that can generate more energy and be more robust in case of extreme weather conditions. In most cases, however, you should be able to get by just fine with the energy your panels generate, which is why most homeowners choose this route.
Knowing The Risks
Now that we have examined the major factors that determine how much energy your solar panels will produce, let’s examine the risks involved with this type of system. One of the primary risks is obviously the cost of the equipment, but this cannot be avoided. In most cases, this cost is divided into three parts – the investment in the system itself, the cost of the installation, and the monthly electricity bills (MEE).
To begin with, the investment in the system itself is fairly high, as this will depend on how many kilowatt – hours of electricity you need, how large your roof is, and what type of equipment you want to use. In most cases, this cost will range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the make and model of the system. In addition, you will need someone with electrical expertise to install it for you, which will cost you about $5,000 to $10,000, depending on how skilled the person is and how long it takes to install the system.
Besides, the MEE is probably the biggest danger to your investment in a solar system. If you live in California and use about 15,500 kWh per year, you will need to pay about $270 per month for electricity, otherwise, you are looking at a $75 payment per month. In most places, however, this will be much more than $75 per month. To give you some perspective, depending on the size of your rooftop, how many kilowatt – hours of energy you use per day, and what type of equipment you have, you can expect to pay between $140 and $430 per month, which is much higher than the $75 California price tag.