how much solar power do i need?

Are you considering adding solar power to your home? (In the United States, for example, there are more than 2 million homes with solar panels, and many homeowners have realized how beneficial they can be.) If you're thinking about installing solar panels in your home but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place.

We'll go into detail about how solar panels work and how many you might need for your home.

But first let's look at the following:

1. How do solar panels work?

Put simply, solar panels absorb photons and then release electrons. Once they're released from the atoms, they generate electricity and solar panels absorb the light and convert it directly into a usable stream of electricity. Solar panel cells absorb sunlight. They convert the light into direct current electricity. All systems require some type of inverter (cluster, micro, or hybrid) to convert this power to alternating current. The electricity is then sent into your home via a wire, which powers everything connected to it, and any excess electricity generated is then fed into the grid.

Solar systems are not complicated and are easy to understand once you have mastered the basics. Now that you know how they work, let's see how long they live.

2. How long do solar panels last?

In short, high-quality solar panels last 25 years or more. Solar panels are designed for long-term use in the environment. Usually the manufacturers that sell the product will give you a 5 to 10 year warranty, so you can guarantee that you will reap the benefits over a long period of time. According to a study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panels last 80 percent longer than their warranties. This can save you thousands on utility bills.

3. How many solar panels do you need?

To figure out how many solar panels your home needs, you need to consider everything that uses electricity. Looking at your utility bill can also give you a good idea of the amount you might need.

4. How much W do you use?

When looking at your utility bill, you should see kilowatt-hours (KWH). Household kilowatt-hours can vary greatly from location to location. Homes in the south are more likely to generate more electricity from air-conditioning. Finding the average daily energy usage will help you calculate your solar energy needs. Once you have your usage, you can see how many watts you need to run everything.

5. Peak daylight hours

Keep in mind that solar panels only work in direct sunlight. When the sun no longer shines on them, they produce little energy. Peak sun time is the amount of time your panel is in direct sunlight. Depending on your location, your peak daylight hours may vary. Multiply the amount of energy used per hour in your home by the amount of peak daylight hours in your home, then divide by the watts of the solar panels. You can do this on both high and low wattage panels to find the range you might need. If a lot of them still don't count you can contact the solar panel company directly and you can help them determine by providing them with this basic information.

6.Solar panels for a 1500 sq ft house

The average home size in the United States is about 1,500 square feet. The typical electricity bill on a home of this size is about $100 a month. To pay the electricity bill for this home, you will need 15-18 solar panels.

For example, a typical refrigerator might be rated at 250 watts and run for four hours a day. 250 watts X4 is 1000 watts. One kilowatt is equal to one kilowatt-hour of energy a day. Of course, this is just a general estimate, and using a compromise, the amount of daylight, location and type of panel can vary.

7. Types of solar panel systems

When it comes to solar panel systems, there are three different types. Grid-connected type, grid-connected type with battery backup, and off-grid type. Let's look at each of these types.

Grid connected system

The most popular type of system for residential use is the grid-connected system. This type of system connects directly to your home and utility grid. This allows homeowners to seamlessly switch between electricity from a solar system or a utility system. If the system produces more power than the house needs, the excess will be sold back to the utility or used to prorate your bill. These are usually the less expensive of the three systems.

To get an estimate of your home, and how much money you could save, contact a local solar panel manufacturer. They can provide you with an installation quote and answer any questions you may have about your home solar system.