Eliminate fossil fuels has become more and more popular, leaving many to wonder if you can run your house solely on solar power. The answer depends on several factors such as climate, location, and lifestyle.
To answer this question, first determine how much electricity your home consumes on a regular basis. This will enable you to determine how many solar panels need to be installed for adequate home power supply. Once those solar panels have generated enough energy annually, the next step is determining which number will suffice each year.
A typical 250-watt solar panel produces about 2500 kWh of energy annually, meaning you need 28 to 34 panels in order to meet all your home’s energy demands.
Your location and the climatic conditions where you live will determine how productive your solar system is. In areas with long, sunny summer days, your panels can overproduce energy for your home; on the contrary, climates that typically experience many cloudy days won’t be as beneficial for solar production.
You can also use a battery bank to store any excess power generated by your solar panels, allowing you to draw on it at another time. However, these batteries tend to be expensive and cannot provide enough capacity for continuous night-time running of your house without relying on the grid for energy supply.
Another option for homeowners looking to run their homes solely on solar power is going completely off the grid. To do this, you will require a large battery bank to store all of the energy generated by your solar panels.
When your home is connected to the electricity grid, it’s possible to sell any excess energy back to your utility company and receive payment from them for doing so. This process, known as a feed-in tariff, is an excellent way for you to monetize your solar system and make some extra cash.
If you choose to go off the grid entirely, you’ll need to invest in a battery bank and other essential components for uninterrupted home power. This can be an expensive and complex process that requires careful consideration.
Once your solar power system is set up, it’s essential to check its functionality and produce enough energy for your needs. If unsure how to do this, ask an experienced professional for guidance.
The amount of electricity a solar system can generate depends on its size and how much shade they receive. As an approximate guide, multiply your house’s average hourly energy usage by the peak sunlight hours in your area and divide that number by the wattage of a given solar panel.