How to Work Out How Many Solar Panels You Need to Run a House
Solar panels can generate electricity to power household appliances that can range from a food processor to a refrigerator to a hot water heater. The correct number of solar panels must be installed in a home if all of the appliances are to receiver enough power. To know the number of solar panels to install, calculate how much electrical power the house requires and then factor that into the electricity that a solar panel is able to output. A calculator is the only tool you will need. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Assemble the 12 electric bills you have paid over the course of a year for your home. Total up the amount of the kilowatt usage for the month using a calculator -- the amount is provided on the bill. Divide this total by 12 to get the average for a month's use. Divide this total by 30 to get the average daily electrical usage of the house (as measured in kilowatts). Write this number down on a piece of paper.
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Go to a website that features the average amount of usable hours of sunlight per day for your area (solar insolation map) -- you will be asked to enter a zip code and other information in text fields in order to arrive at this number. Write this number down on the piece of paper.
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Divide the daily kilowatt number you have written down by the daily sunlight hours number you also have written down. Multiply the results by 1.25, which takes into account energy losses that result from the wiring, battery and other electronics used. The result is how many watts of power are needed daily.
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Review the specifications on a solar panel to determine how many watts of power it can provide on a daily basis. Add up the number of solar panels needed in order to arrive at the watts of power the house requires each day.
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Tips & Warnings
Allowance must be made for some loss of electrical power between a solar panel and the wiring module assemblies that transfer the electricity into the house.
