Heating and cooling a home means energy expenses. Using solar energy as a solution can help reduce energy costs. But how many solar panels are needed to power my house? Here are a few variables to keep in mind that will help us arrive at an answer.
First, we need to calculate the amount of power consumed or energy used by my house. That is, we’ll need to arrive at number values relating to the average consumption of kilowatt-hours of electricity my house utilizes per year. Essentially, the less electricity that I use, then the fewer solar panels are needed.
We likewise have to ascertain what my energy goals are. Do I want to just make a dent in my energy bill, or do I want to completely eliminate my energy bill expenses? The number of solar panels I will have understandably will depend on how much solar-based electricity I intend to produce.
Of course, not all solar panels are created equal. The type, size, and quality of solar panel determines its output. Ideally the amount of kilowatt-hours of electricity my house utilizes per year should equal the amount of output from the solar panel installation I have. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra solar panel or two added on the roof for good measure, especially if you have a growing family. Besides, if a solar panel system overproduces electricity, the unused portion is fed back into the grid and can be credited back to your utility account. To learn more about how your solar electric system can be fed back into the grid, click here on further information produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Department of Energy.
Another variable to factor in is my house’s location. This helps in estimating the amount of sun exposure we can expect throughout the year. In other words, we’ll have to address questions like how much rainfall or snowfall, how much cloud cover or fog interference, whether trees or other buildings are blocking the way, and even what’s the angle of the roof. After all, solar panels are more feasible in sunnier places like Arizona rather than in Alaska.
The next variable to consider relates to the roof – and it goes beyond how much roof space is available for solar panel installation. For one, what type of roof is it? If my roof is made of composite shingles, most solar companies can install solar panels easily on it. But, if my roof is made of regular wood shingles, Spanish tiles, or metal, then different mounting systems are required and that could affect the amount of roof space available, not to mention added expenses, for solar panel installation.
Moreover, while there might be ample roof space, perhaps the local building permits have specific restrictions regarding the placement of solar panels on the roof. Whereas one city might allow solar installation right to the roof’s edge, by contrast, a different city’s requirement might be for a three-foot clearance around the roof, which would certainly affect the number of solar panels I can install in the limited roof space.
Then, too, the number of solar panels I can have might be contingent on the amount of funds I’m willing to spend on the whole project. Easy roof installations mean less expenses. What constitutes an easy roof install? Easy installations hinge on the roof being easy to access. Its height isn’t a barrier, the roof’s slope isn’t too steep, all required solar panels can fit on one roof surface, the roof is easy to walk on, and the roof is made of material that is easy to drill through and seal. On the other hand, the more difficult roof installations would command a higher price tag. Examples include a multi-story roof with different surfaces that require special mounting equipment to secure the panels. Flat roofs, foam roofs, and slate roofs are thereby more expensive.
After considering all the above factors and variables, we can then consult with our chosen solar company. Based on our consultation, they’ll plug in figures into what’s called a compact solar-sizing calculator, which will help them present a summary of what they recommend as a suitable solar panel system for my home.
Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about the federal government’s initiatives that promote the use of solar energy in residential homes, click here for some information on receiving tax credit, and click here to learn more about the federal government’s U.S. Department of Energy SunSolar Initiative.