Solar panels are not for everyone and every house. This solar power for homes evaluation will help you decide if a photovoltaic system is right for you.
All home owners should invest in energy efficiency measures before considering residential solar energy production. In terms of impact per dollar, proper insulation and environmentally conscious behavior are the best tools for lowing utility bills and helping the environment.
Amount of Electricity Needed
Each home will need a different amount of electricity to meet it’s demands. Review a twelve month history of your electric bills to calculate your average monthly use. You will want to purchase a photovoltaic system that produces around two-thirds your home’s total energy demands. An average system meeting these needs is typically between 1kW and 3kW. If you decide to purchase a photovoltaic system, buy the largest one your budget will allow. The cost of installation is only slightly greater for much larger systems, and the larger your system is, the more energy efficient you solar inverter will be.
You will need to perform a roof assessment during your solar panels for homes evaluation. Pick the side of your roof that faces south. Optimally this roof will face due south, but it can vary off due south by up to about 15 degrees. On this side of the roof, make sure there is a section at least 25 feet by 8 feet large that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. A 25 foot by 8 foot system will produce roughly 2 kilowatts, enough to meet the two-thirds demand target of a typical home.
Roof Type, Slope, and Orientation
The optimal slope of your roof for solar energy production is equal to your approximate latitude, minus fifteen degrees in the summer, and plus fifteen degrees in the winter. Ideally, the slope of your roof is between the optimal summer and winter latitudes.
The materials your roof is made of and the condition of your roof are major considerations when deciding if solar is right for your home. Wood shake roofs are not good candidates for solar installation and older roofs can be problematic. Composite shingle is the best roof material for photovoltaic installation. Ideally, you want to install on a brand new composite shingle roof.
Expect your solar energy production to be greatest in summer months and considerably lower during the winter. If you are connected to the power grid, consider selling excess electricity production back to your utility company rather than attempting to store solar energy using batteries.
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my house average monthly is 2000kwh that means 2kw?