how do you workout power usage to buy solar panels?
Posted on 2008 under solar power for homes | 7 Comments12 Dec
I want to go to solar power at my home but don't know how many to get or what size .
My power usage average is 60kWh daily use average
60 KWH / DAY? That is 2.5 KW (2500 WATTS) avg. constantly, and most solar panels only produce 40-100 WATTS during peak hours. It would take a lot of panels and panels alone are about $300-$500 each.
Must be something wrong with your usage number, or you have a huge house.
In order to properly calculate your system needs, you need to look at not only averages, but your peaks if you plan to go completely solar. If you just want to supplement and lower your grid usage, then just buy all you can afford. You will probably never save enough to pay back unless you have great subsidies, but you will feel good because you did cut CO2 emissions.
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by Koshu, on December 12 2008 @ 8:49 pm
Respectfully, get the book title "Solar Power for Dummies", it will give you the knowledge to decide what you need for your home.
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by yorkie, on December 12 2008 @ 9:14 pm
60kWh is that each quarter? when you get a bill?
if so, then divide 60kWh by 90 days to get an aproximation.
also, remember they only get sunlight for about 4 or 5 hours each day (UK), due to the andgle of the sun's rays hitting them
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by electricpole, on December 12 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Take a rear award look at your historical usage, get a daily average, multiply it by 365 to get a yearly total. Add whatever amount you think your load will grow in the future. Then attempt to find a system, (many are offered as turnkey packages) that fits your need as close as possible. The inverters only come in quantum amounts, 3-5-10 KW units, etc. Regulations only allow Grid connected systems to pay back one for one on your actual usage, any excess is compensated back to you at wholesale (USA), well below what is economically sound to build above your actual need. The system size is based on it's maximum available output under perfect conditions at 20deg.C. (temp effects the efficiency in a big way). There are metrics calculated for your global location already with conversion factors for temp & usable light, and the best panel angle for your latitude as well.
60KWh/day seems quite high. That would be 21900 /yr. Mine is more like 9.7/day, and I have an electric stove, 2 welders and an air compressor. Your power company invoice divided by the billing period is the best resource.
The pay back on these systems is rather long, and if it is longer the the expected life span of the panels it is not worth it. Conservation is the first step. I switched to compact fluorescent lamps, and high efficiency appliances, etc. first. That allowed me to spec. a much smaller system.
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by groingo, on December 12 2008 @ 9:28 pm
Google it.
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by GABY, on December 12 2008 @ 9:47 pm
60 KWH / DAY? That is 2.5 KW (2500 WATTS) avg. constantly, and most solar panels only produce 40-100 WATTS during peak hours. It would take a lot of panels and panels alone are about $300-$500 each.
Must be something wrong with your usage number, or you have a huge house.
In order to properly calculate your system needs, you need to look at not only averages, but your peaks if you plan to go completely solar. If you just want to supplement and lower your grid usage, then just buy all you can afford. You will probably never save enough to pay back unless you have great subsidies, but you will feel good because you did cut CO2 emissions.
References :
by aunt t, on December 12 2008 @ 10:08 pm
go to http://www.backwoodssolar.com you can get their phone # and talk to a real person and they can tell you all you need to know. They will also send you a catalog. You can get better prices on ebay or from bpsolar.com
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by juergeneberl, on December 12 2008 @ 10:29 pm
go t a place where they sell them
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