subject: The Way To Estimate How Much Solar Power You Might Need [print this page] Electricity bills are becoming a headache for many households nowadays. Power costs have soared and this is causing many people to consider electricity bills as one of the major household expenses. Thankfully there is an alternative way; solar power. By installing solar panels, one will not have to pay electricity bills anymore. It is true that the initial cost is substantial, but in time this will be recuperated by having removed the need of paying the bills once and for all. Many people have questions which they must get answered before considering investing in solar panels. Common queries include, what is the cost of such a system, how much solar power do I need, how many panels would I have to buy and install and what type of maintenance will be required.
Since these panels have to be installed on the roof, some people feel that they might take up a lot of space. However, firstly; one has to calculate the amount of solar power needed, and this depends on the level of consumption of the house or business.
Moreover, the weather and the sunny periods that the roof is exposed to will have an impact as well. If the weather conditions in your area are generally quite good, and there is a lot of sun most of the time you will require less panels than someone who does not have these natural advantages.
It is best to attempt to establish the typical number of hours per day that your roof is exposed to the sun's rays. You can also use an online solar calculator to help you with your calculations.
So, after having calculated the number of hours that your roof is exposed to the sun's rays on average every day, you can take this figure and work out other important data. The next step is to calculate the electrical energy you use. Take a look at some of your electricity bills, and then convert them to watts per day. Afterwards, divide these by the number of sunny hours.
The result you get will give you a guideline as to how many watts you will need per hour. These numbers will be useful as they will guide you to make a well informed decision. You will be better able to decide which type of panels you should choose, as well as the amount of power you need.
Be sure to check the various types of panels that are available for sale, including their manufacturers, warranties and reputation. It is also a good idea to check what other buyers have to say about them, especially if they reside in your area and are exposed to the same weather conditions as you.
The type of panels you choose should also be governed by their respective ratings. This has an effect on their power levels. The number of panels you need can then be calculated more accurately. You should make some simple calculations based on the level of consumption and the solar power that you calculated earlier. One should seriously consider investing in such a system because apart from saving money in the long-run, the environment will also be benefiting. By taking into account the above tips, you will be better able to choose the panels most suitable for your case.
