The answer to this question is a bit complicated. It depends on a few things, like the size of your house, the climate you live in, and how much sunlight your property gets.
If you live in a small home in a sunny area, it’s possible that a solar system could provide all of the energy you need. However, if you live in a large home or in an area with little sun, you would likely need to supplement your solar system with other forms of energy, like natural gas or oil.
Solar is a great renewable energy source, but it’s important to remember that it’s not always possible to rely on it entirely.
How Many Solar Panels Does It Take to Power a House?
How many solar panels does your home actually need? If you live in a sunny area, you will need approximately one solar panel for 100 square feet of roof space. Therefore, if your home is 1,500 square feet, you would require around 15 solar panels to power it completely. This is only a rough estimate. The most precise way to know how many solar panels you’ll need is by talking with a professional in solar energy.
If you live in a cold, snowy, or gloomy area, you might need more solar panels than someone who lives in Colorado or Southern California.
Average Solar Panel Wattage
The precise solar panel wattage output depends on the type and size of the panel.
The vast majority of solar panels are made from silicone, meaning approximately 95% are made from this material. The silicon solar panels you need for your home come in three varieties: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and film solar panels.
The average wattage for monocrystalline solar panels is 150-200 watts, while polycrystalline panels have an average of 135-175 watts. For thin-film solar panels, the average lies between 50 and 150 watts.
Measuring Your Home for Solar Systems
This section will provide homeowners with guidance on measuring their houses for solar panels. Having this baseline information will help determine how many solar panels are necessary to power the home.
How Much Electricity Do You Need?
In order to calculate how much power you need to generate, first assess your household’s average daily power consumption. You can determine your home’s daily usage by looking at past electricity bills. If no past bills are available, try using an online calculator like the one from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
How Much Sun Do You Get?
After you find out your home’s average electricity usage, research how much sun shines on your property. Doing so will aid in selecting the right solar panel type and size for you. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides a reliable solar insolation calculator that can tell you how much sunlight your location gets.
Remember that these are only averages and your needs could be unique depending on a variety of factors. How much solar power you need should not be based on approximations.
Determine the Square Footage of Your Roof
Once you know how many solar panels will cover your energy usage, the next thing to do is make sure they’ll physically fit. That means measuring the amount of space on your roof that can be dedicated to solar panels. Doing so will help determine how many solar panels you’re able to maximize efficiency by fitting onto your roof.
In order to calculate how many solar panels you’ll need for your roof, take into account the length and width of the roof as well as its pitch (angle).
What are My Options If I Don’t Want to Install Solar Panels Myself?
Although installing your own solar panel system is an option, there are others available as well. You have the choice to buy a solar energy system from a solar installer, like Solar by Peak to Peak out of Denver. Or, you could lease a solar panel system from a company- this alternative is growing in popularity as it doesn’t necessitate a big initial investment. It’s important that whichever route you take, you do your research first so you can get the best deal possible on solar for yourself.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
Solar panels used to be very costly, but now they are much more affordable and can actually save you money in the future.
Solar panels typically cost $3 per watt. So, a 100-watt panel would set you back about $300 on average. The price of solar panels can change based on various factors such as the size and efficiency of the panel, global demand, and availability (a recent surge in popularity has caused shortages of electrical components), and how many panels you install at once (obviously, more panels = higher upfront cost).
If you want to save money, you can install your own solar system; however, we recommend against this option. It’s dangerous to work with electricity on your roof without professional experience. Hiring a specialist, like Solar by Peak to Peak is both safer and more reliable.
Solar Panel Maintenance
It is crucial to maintain your solar system once it has been set up. Although solar panels demand hardly any servicing, you should wipe them down frequently to keep them running at full capacity. Additionally, occasional check-ups of the inverter and batteries are key to ensuring optimal performance. If you have a grid-tied system, you not only need to monitor your equipment, but also the utility company’s connection to the power grid.
The Many Benefits of Solar Energy Systems
Solar energy provides numerous advantages. Here are some of the top benefits of solar:
- Solar energy is renewable and environmentally friendly, making it a great choice for power in your home.
- Solar panels can save you money on electric bills, which frees up more of your budget for other things.
- Solar panel systems don’t require much maintenance so once they’re installed, you can forget about them.
- Solar energy eliminated or greatly reduces dependence on fossil fuels, netting fewer harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
- Having a number of solar panels increases the value of your home
- You may be eligible for tax breaks when installing solar panels.
If you want to save money and help the environment, consider solar energy. Solar panel systems are becoming increasingly popular because they are a great way to power your home with renewable energy. Additionally, using solar panels can help reduce your monthly electricity consumption. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that more and more people are making the switch to solar panels each year. Could you be next?
Is Solar the Solution for You?
Technology has come a long way, and solar panel systems are now cheaper and more efficient than they have ever been. There has never been a better time to switch your household over to solar energy.
When you’re ready to make the switch and install solar panels, be sure to do your research and choose a reputable solar installation company. Solar by Peak to Peak offers free solar installation evaluations. With a little planning, you can soon be enjoying all the benefits of a solar system or solar array.
