How to Determine the Number of Solar Panels Your Home Needs
Energy costs can be high in the Northeast, but with a properly designed solar system, it’s possible to greatly reduce or even completely offset your electrical bills, depending on where your home is located and how much energy you use.
If you’re considering installing a solar system in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Vermont, there are some relatively easy methods to estimate how many solar panels you will need for your area. Solar Liberty can give you an idea of whether solar will be worth it for your needs before you start your solar journey.
4 Factors to Consider for a Solar System Estimate
Every home has different energy needs, and how much solar electricity you can produce will vary by location. Homes with natural gas appliances will require less electricity than all-electric homes, while homes in wooded areas or northern locations will need larger systems to compensate for lower amounts of sunlight.
Here are four factors to consider when designing a solar system.
Energy Consumption
Your home’s energy consumption will depend on how many appliances, lights, and electronics you have and how efficient they are. Large appliances like furnaces, air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers use the most energy, while efficient LED lights use the least. Your electric bill should provide a good estimate of your monthly and annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours.
Wattage
Power usage is measured in watts, and though many appliances will list the wattage they require, some don’t. For those, the current in amps can be multiplied by the circuit voltage, usually 120 volts, to estimate the watts.
Utility companies and solar systems measure electricity in kilowatt-hours, so after adding the wattage of all your electrical devices together, you can divide by 1000 to find the number of kilowatts. This is the instantaneous amount of power used, but most devices are not on all the time. The kilowatt-hour measurement reflects the cumulative amount of power used per hour of operation.
Sunlight Ratios
Every location gets a different amount of sunlight. Shaded, cloudy, and northern areas receive less, while sunnier, southern areas usually get more. The sunlight production ratio represents the amount of usable sunlight that is available in your area, and in the Northeast, it varies from 1 to 1.3.
Energy Goals
Your solar system doesn’t need to power your whole home to realize savings on your utility bills. Depending on your budget, you can install a system that offsets some or all of your electricity costs. If you live in an area that allows net metering, you can even earn credits on your electrical bill for any extra power you produce.
Estimating Based on Square Footage
Although in-depth calculations based on wattage or kilowatt-hours will give you the best estimate of the number of solar panels you will need for your system, you can get a rough estimate from the size of your home itself. Based on average electrical usage rates, a 1,500-square-foot home will require about 14 to 17 320-watt panels, while a 2,000-square-foot home will require 19 to 25. A 2,500-square-foot home would need 27 to 30 panels.
To estimate your own number of solar panels more reliably, divide your annual kilowatt-hours of power usage from your electrical bill by the sunlight ratio for your area. Then, divide that number by the size of the panel you will install, such as a 320-watt panel.
Determining Your Home’s Setup
Solar works best when it can be oriented to the south or southwest with little to no shading. Many homes have a sufficient south-facing roof area to cover most or all of their solar needs, but not all do.
Additionally, some roofs may not have the proper design, strength, or materials to make mounting solar possible. If roof-mounted solar is not an option, there are many alternatives, such as ground-mount solar systems or systems installed on a garage, carport, or shop.
Choosing a Solar Installation Company
When you are ready to add solar to your home in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Vermont, it’s a good idea to research your options and choose your solar installation company carefully. The best solar organizations will have certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and they will be members of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). In New York, the top solar companies will also be recognized by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as NYSERDA “Quality Solar Installers.”
Schedule With Solar Liberty
At Solar Liberty, we’re members of the SEIA, NABCEP-certified, and NYSERDA Quality Solar Installers. We serve homeowners in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, and we can size, design, and install the perfect solar system to meet your needs and budget. We offer competitive pricing, top-quality components, superior service, and over 20 years of experience.
Contact Solar Liberty today to request an estimate in NY, PA, OH, or VT!
