When it comes to solar energy, there are several factors that you should consider before deciding how many solar panels to install. The amount of sunlight in your area is one of these factors. It is possible to calculate how many solar panels you need by looking at your utility bill and dividing the amount by the number of hours of strong sunlight. You should also consider other factors.
Calculating the size of solar panels
A little math is required to determine the size of a panel that would power an average home. First, you must determine how much electricity is used each month. You can find this out by looking at your electric bill over the last 12 months. Next, add up how many kWhs were used by various electronics and appliances. This will tell you how much energy it is possible to save by changing or upgrading these appliances. It is important to calculate how much solar energy your home will require.
When calculating the size and shape of a solar panel system, there are many factors to consider. It's not hard to calculate these numbers. It is also possible to look at your utility bills in order to determine your current energy consumption. You would need at most eighteen solar panels if your energy bill shows you consume 370 watts per day.
Peak sunlight hours
In order to calculate the amount of solar energy needed to power a typical house, you should know the average number of peak sunlight hours for your region. These hours increase the closer you are to the Equator and decrease the further north you go. The average peak sunshine hours in most regions is between 3 to 5 hours per days.
Divide the number if peak sun hours and multiply it by 1,000 to determine how many solar panels will be needed for an average house. The result is a number that is approximately 6.67 kWh per panel. You can also multiply this value by the number of hours of daylight in your area.
Each state has a different average number peak sun hours. This is due to climate, latitude, roof orientation and tilt. Peak sun hours are higher in sunny locations, as they are more likely to occur during the summer. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has detailed maps of the insolation for every state. This can help you figure how many solar panels are needed to power an average house during peak sunlight hours.
The operating and maintenance costs of a solar power system
Installation of a solar energy system can be done for free. However, it is possible to incur additional costs for regular maintenance. Cleaning of solar panels, which can run around $200, is one of them. Your system might also need to be inspected after heavy snowfall. You should have an annual inspection and cleaning done to ensure that your panels function efficiently and effectively.
It depends on how large your solar panel system is, so you might need to have it cleaned periodically. It all depends on the area and the type, so you might need to spend $150-300 to clean it regularly. In addition to cleaning costs, some companies may require twice-annual inspections.
The average cost of solar-on-grid systems runs from Rs 53,000 to 60,000 per kilowatt. But this will vary depending on how large the system is and what type of roof it has.