How do you determine how much "Solar Power" you need to run your house?

Question

How do you determine how much "Solar Power" you need to run your house?

Answer 1

Look first at your electric bills for the year.  This will tell you your average usage, and your maximum usage.

Decide what portion of your usage you can afford to install.

Now you are ready to decide how big a system you will need.

It is time to study all you can find on solar.  Start with the green search box above on this page.  Then go to Solar Panel on the Internet.  Look up Insolation Table while you are at it.

Check with your state energy commission and your accountant, if any, to see what incentives are available.

Answer 2

Call the distributor and ask them.  That's probally what I would do.  GO GREEN!

Answer 3

It will take about 2.5 square meters of solar cells to generate 1 kWh of power a day in the northern US, about half that in the Southwest.  A typical usage level is 30 kWh per day, so that would imply 80 sq m (10 by 8 m) to supply all your needs.  Conservation would lower that.  You would also need batteries and DC to AC converters.

Answer 4

You have to look at the Volts AND watts each cell puts out.  When you order your cells, an consultant will be able to tell you what you would need after asking you some key questions.