Saving energy is a major concern for every home. With energy costs rising and the environment becoming more conscious, more and more people are keen to reduce their energy footprint and be more sustainable. In order to achieve this, many are turning to renewable energy sources such as solar energy.
Generating your own electricity using photovoltaic panels on your roof is a popular choice for those wanting to be energy independent. However, if you want to power your entire home using solar energy, you need to consider a few key factors. First, you will need to identify the right type of solar energy system for your home.
Which Type Of System Is Right For Me?
When selecting a solar energy system for your home, you will need to consider the size of your family, how often you use electricity, and what type of climate you are in. If you are searching for a system that can generate enough energy to serve your entire home, you will need to move towards the larger sizes such as the kilowatt (kW) or megawatt (MW).
For example, a small system such as the Solare Genuine Power system, which is the size of a deck chair, cannot provide enough electricity to power a house. In this instance, it might be best to consider investing in a smaller system such as the Solare Eco system, which is designed for use with up to 4 people.
How Much Energy Do I Need To Power My Home?
Another important factor to consider when selecting a solar energy system for your home is how much energy your home needs. Obviously, the larger the load, the more energy you will need to generate. In addition, if you use more electricity than your neighbors, you will need a more powerful system. To figure out how much energy your home needs, you can use an energy scanner. These devices can measure the consumption of electricity throughout your home and give you an accurate estimate of how much energy you will need to generate.
How Many Panels Do I Need To Install?
The number of panels you need depends on how much power you want to generate. If you are looking to generate a small amount of energy, you will need to install a few panels, whereas, a large system such as the Solare SunPower system, which is composed of 168 solar panels, will require more work. To determine how many panels you need, you can use this formula:
- The number of panels x The number of watts per panel (wattage)
- x 2 for back up power
- Add a few more panels if you want to generate more than 10 kW
Where Should I Install The System?
Once you have determined the right type of system for your home and how much power you need, the next important factor to consider is where you should install the system. As a general rule, you should install the system in a place where it gets direct sunlight exposure in the morning and at night. In addition, the location should have a clean view of the sky.
In areas with a lot of shade, such as large trees or buildings, you will need to consider investing in a solar heater, which will increase the temperature of water, making it usable for all purposes.
What Size Battery Should I Get?
Once you have installed the system, the next step is to get a battery backup system. Batteries can store energy when the Sun is down and release it when needed. While some people choose to use regular batteries, which are designed to be charged and discharged frequently, others prefer the security of deep cycle batteries. The size of the battery you get depends on how often you use electricity and how much power you want to store.
If you use energy frequently and want to store a lot of power, it is best to go for large capacity batteries such as the Tesla Powerwall or Nissan Sustainability Packs. In this instance, you will need to ensure that you get the type of battery that can be charged and discharged frequently. Otherwise, you might end up with a battery that cannot be recharged, which in turn, can cause significant damage to your home. For those wanting to be energy independent, investing in a backup battery is a must.
Additional Considerations
Once you have installed the system and protected it with a battery, you need to consider a few additional factors. For one, you need to make sure that the area where you installed the system is easily accessible and maintained. In addition, you will need to check for signs of water damage or leaks around the area where the system is installed. Furthermore, if you use any type of electrical appliances around the area where the system is installed, it is best to unplug them before performing any maintenance work.
If you or any members of your family have respiratory problems, you will need to make sure that the area is well-ventilated. Especially if you have animals, it is important that they do not suffocate in the event of a fire.
Depending on how often you use the system and how much power you need, you might need to replace the panels once a year or whenever they start to become inefficient.
Final Takeaway
As you can see, there are several factors that you will need to consider if you want to power your home using solar energy. Depending on your situation, some of these factors might be more important than others. However, with careful consideration, you will be able to select a system that can serve your needs. In most cases, a system composed of four or more solar panels, a battery backup, and a stand-by power device is a good choice. With reliable energy saving devices and simple installation procedures, you will be able to power your home with confidence.