In any choice in life, deciding to do it is just the beginning. From there comes research, follow-through, and action. Getting a solar system is no different.
After you decide to go solar, you’ve got to choose which professional solar installer to use, what panels to buy, and how many solar panels you will need. If you’re asking, “How many solar panels do I need for a 2,000-square-foot house?” You’ve come to the right place.
This is a common question at Solar by Peak to Peak. The answer, however, is not as simple as giving you a number of solar panels. There are several factors to consider when sizing your solar system, including the square footage of your home, your average daily energy usage, and the amount of sunlight your property receives. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about sizing a solar installation for your home.
Direct Light Matters
As obvious as it may seem, the first step to determine what type of solar array you need will depend on the light availability on your roof. This is an important question as it can determine many things, such as how many solar panels would get a successful output if installed.
For example, a one-story, 2,000-square-foot home would have plenty of roof for a solar panel design, but if it is located in a shaded woody area, only a fraction of that space would be usable. Thankfully, there are many ways to determine the amount of direct light each part of your home receives to understand better what types and quantities of materials and solar panels you need for efficient energy management.
How Much Electricity Needs to be Produced
While energy consumption amounts can be ever-changing, discovering the average power usage for homes like yours can be a helpful metric when it comes to getting a solar system that will meet your home’s energy requirements. It would be even better to have a professional solar installer help you calculate how many kilowatt hours your home uses per day to calculate your exact electricity usage.
The Solar Equation
To find out how many solar panels you need for your home, divide the average daily energy usage in kilowatts by the amount of power one panel produces. Your energy needs will be based on factors such as appliances and weather rather than square footage.
Knowing how many solar panels are needed for your 2,000-square-foot home can be intimidating. Although we’ve already established that the size of your home isn’t directly calculatable to the number of solar panels your home will need, there are related factors. For example, a larger home will have larger or double heater or air conditioner units compared to a smaller home, thus running higher electricity usage in extreme weather.
With professional help from a solar installer, you will ensure you have enough or more solar panels to meet every energy need your home has!
Solar Installation Is More Than Putting It on the Roof
While solar panel installation costs vary based on project size, solar type, and solar installer, there’s often an assumption that installation is the only factor for solar panel cost. However, it’s also important to consider the maintenance and upkeep of the solar panel system over its lifetime.
Is the solar panel company you’re considering reputable enough to be able to support your solar energy system during its entire warranty period? Selecting a solar panel company means balancing cost considerations with post-installation support that ensures your solar panels continue to generate maximum rooftop solar energy as they should!
Common Questions about Incentives and Electricity Bills
So what incentives are there to bring down how much solar panels cost?
While Colorado does not have any statewide incentives, there is legal room for local incentives to install solar panels in Colorado. Let a solar professional guide you through the national and local incentives to ensure you’re getting what you deserve for shifting your energy consumption.
If I have enough solar power to cover my monthly energy usage, do I get to skip the electrical bill?
While simply adding more or fewer panels can get enough solar power for your home, the billing process can be a bit more complicated. You may need to consider paying cash in full to get off the grid and quit relying on utility companies without having a monthly electric bill. Otherwise, there are a plethora of payment options to talk through with a solar expert.
Start Your Solar Story Today
Solar by Peak to Peak is here to help walk you through the process so you make the most informed decision possible for your home. We want to see every Colorado homeowner taking advantage of solar energy, and we know we can make that happen with our expertise. Contact us today to get started!
