How Much Solar Do I Need?

I’m so glad to see that you are considering a switch to solar power! In order to make an informed decision about your switch then there are a few points that must be considered. Firstly, you will need to decide on your budget, your savings expectation and figure out what your current electricity usage is. After working this out you will need to determine the right system to fit your needs and decide on the number of panels you would like to install.

Understanding Your Current Electricity Use

The best way to figure out your electricity usage is to look at your recent electricity bills. You can then identify your daily average usage. The bill should say the daily average use in kWh (kilowatt hours) or units. If there is no daily average on the bill, then you can simply divide the monthly, quarterly or annual average by the respective days to reveal the daily average figure.

Typically, most Australian homes use 15-20kWh per day, but this figure can vary considerably depending on the number of people in the home and their daily activities. Other factors that could influence this number also include amenity usage such as washing machines, dishwashers or swimming pools, and seasonal usage of electricity (heating and air conditioning).

Determine Your Savings Expectations

What do you expect to see after your switch to solar power? Do you want to offset electricity costs or neutralise them? To put it simply, the more you want to save, the more you need to invest in solar panels.

Finding the Correct Solar Power System

To work out what system you will require you need to use your daily average to calculate the size and type of system you need. For most systems, each kW of solar you install will produce around 4-5 kWh per day of energy. Calculate the size of the solar power system that your home will require by dividing your home’s daily average energy consumption by this amount. For example, if your daily average is 12kWH divide by 4kWh to find the right system.

12kWh / 4kWh = 3kW system

We will be able to help you find the right system when you enquire at Sunbank Solar.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

When calculating the size of your solar power system, you should aim to cover as much of your household energy consumption as possible.

Once you have decided on your preferred solar panel system, divide the total kW required by the output of each panel to calculate how many panels need to be installed.

Installation Considerations

It is important to remember that solar panels will only produce electricity when the sun is up! So, some important points to remember when deciding on solar panel systems and the amount of panels you will need for your home are to work out:

1. When most electricity is used in your home – day or night?
2. What position on your roof will work the best for your home.

Generally, it is best to have panels facing north to maximise sunlight, but it is not essential. South-facing panels are also still able to produce 80% of their capacity.

It’s not easy to keep all these considerations and calculations in mind when trying to work out how much solar your home needs. Speak to an expert at Sunbank Solar so we can help you to work out all aspects to suit your home’s solar power needs!