With global warming on everyone’s minds, the pursuit of clean and renewable energy sources has risen. We are now more committed than ever to finding renewable methods for everything from charging our phones to powering our homes.
One of the most popular methods of American households taking part in their quest for clean energy is solar panels. However, even though the benefits of solar panels seem obvious, you may have questions about what it would truly mean for your home.
Everybody’s home is different and your energy needs are different too. But how can you know how many solar panels and what solar panel system will work best for you?
It may seem difficult at first to get a clear estimate, but if you have a few key questions, you’ll be able to get right to it. In this post, you’ll get to know the number of solar panels you will need, so you can start your green energy journey right away!
1. Size and Layout of Your Home
The average home uses about 10,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year or about 870 kilowatt-hours per month. The average residential solar panel system size is 5 kilowatts (kW), so the typical homeowner would need about 28 solar panels to cover 100% of their energy usage (28 * 5 = 140 watts needed to cover 870 kWh/month).
However, on average, home solar panels produce more electricity than the average home uses in a month, so most people only need about 20-25 solar panels.
2. The Amount of Sunlight Your Home Receives
The amount of sunlight your home receives is the most important factor in determining how many solar panels you’ll need. If your home receives a lot of sunlight, you’ll need fewer panels to produce the same amount of energy as a home that receives less sunlight.
3. Your Electricity Usage
The amount of solar panels you need for your home depends on your electricity usage. If you install a 5-kilowatt solar system, it will produce about 8,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
4. The Climate You Live In
The number of solar panels you need for your home depends on several factors, including the climate you live in. In general, homes in sunny climates require fewer panels than homes in cloudy or rainy climates.
However, the size of your home and your electricity usage also play a role in determining how many panels you need. Therefore, if you live in a cloudy climate and have a large home with high electricity usage, you may need several dozen panels.
5. Government Incentives
With solar panels, you can typically expect to offset about 80% of your electricity usage. Government incentives are a big factor to consider. The federal government offers an incentive of 26% of the cost of solar panel installation.
Aside from federal incentives look to your state or municipality. There are many incentives for solar in your State that can offset the cost even further.
Interested to Know How Many Solar Panels You’ll Need for Your Home?
If you are interested in installing solar panels for your home, it is important to determine how many solar panels you will need. The number of solar panels required will depend on the size and energy efficiency of your home. You can consult with a solar panel installer to determine the best option for your home.
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