How You Can Select Which Solar Power System Fits For Your Home

Playing your part in saving the environment is more important now more than ever. Investing in a solar power system is one of the best ways to do this, plus a solar system will save you in the long run.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to determine the best solar power system for your home. 

Consider the size of the roof

For your solar system to provide you with adequate power, the panels should be positioned in a way that ensures maximum collection. Plus, they should fit sufficiently on the roof for extra security and safety.

You will also need to consider usable roof space. For example, if part of the roof is shaded most of the day, it makes more sense to install smaller but very high-efficiency panels. 

Consider using satellite technology to map the panels over your roof. That way, you can find the right sizes and positions for your panels. An expert solar panel installer will be able to help you with this.

Determine your energy needs

Not all solar panels produce the same amount of electricity. So to choose the best ones for your home, you need to find out how much energy you require for the month.

The best way to do this is to take a look at your power bill. This will show you how many kilowatts you are consuming every month.

On average, most homes use close to 18 kilowatt-hours each day. This would mean a 4 to 5 kilowatts solar system would be sufficient for your daily needs.

Consult with an expert to help you figure out the calculations to be sure you’re doing the right thing.

Determine the number of solar panels

As mentioned earlier, solar panels don’t produce power at the same rate. Thus, you would need to calculate how many panels you need for your home. 

This will depend on the energy output of the panels. To find the maximum power produced by a panel, multiply the voltage by the current written on the label. In general, panels with a power capacity between 12 and 48 volts are best for off-grid systems. 

Once you figure out the voltage, you can determine how many panels you need to generate the power you need.

Calculate the size of the battery

Solar systems are great, but the sun doesn’t always shine bright during the day. There also won’t be any production at night, so you’ll need a good backup system to store the power.

A good battery has a higher degree of autonomy. Autonomy simply refers to the number of days you can go without sunlight running your appliances on the battery. 

The battery capacity will be shown in ampere-hours (Ah). Therefore, you have to calculate how many amps per hour you need to cover your energy consumption over a minimum of 3 days without power. 

Again, this rather cumbersome calculation can simply be left to an expert solar power installing company. 

Determine the size of your solar power control

Your solar system needs a power controller to prevent overcharging and regulate the system. If you don’t use a controller, the panels will drain the energy out of the battery when there’s no sun. 

The solar charger controller should be rated higher than the voltage of the panels. For example, if you use 12 volts solar cells, you will need a regulator of 12 volts / 30 amps or a greater reading. 

Once you figure out all the parts, your solar power system should be set to provide you with a sustainable power source. Remember to get help from trained and experienced personnel so you can make the best choice.