With the increasing popularity of solar energy, many homeowners are considering installing solar panels to power their homes in the Fresno and Clovis areas. However, one common question that often arises is: how many solar panels are needed to power a home?
Determining Energy Needs
Before determining the number of solar panels required to power a home, it’s essential to know how much energy the home uses. The average U.S. household uses approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, which translates to about 30 kWh per day. However, individual energy usage varies depending on factors such as the size of the home, the number of occupants and the usage habits.
To get an accurate estimate of your energy consumption, you can review your utility bills from the past year, which will show how much electricity you have used each month. When scheduling a call with Sol-Tek Solar, we can help determine an accurate estimate of your energy consumption. Simply upload a file of your utility bill to our, “Get A Quote” page, an expert from our team will use this information to help determine how much energy is being used in your household.
Calculating Solar Panel Needs
Once you have an estimate of your energy consumption, the number of solar panels required to power your home can then be determined. The number of solar panels needed will depend on several factors, such as the location of the home, the size of the solar panels and the efficiency of the solar panels.
The average solar panel produces about 250 watts of electricity per hour, which means that a 6-kilowatt solar panel system would require approximately 24 solar panels. A 6-kilowatt solar panel system can generate around 30 kWh per day, which is enough to power an average U.S. home.
However, if your home is larger or consumes more energy than the average home, you may need a larger solar panel system. Conversely, if your home is smaller or consumes less energy, you may need a smaller solar panel system.
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Needs
Several factors can affect the number of solar panels required to power a home, including:
Location: The amount of sunlight that your home receives will affect the amount of energy that your solar panels can produce. Homes in the Central Valley, such as in the Fresno and Clovis areas, will require fewer solar panels than homes in areas with less sunlight because we receive abundant sunlight year-round, especially during the summer!
Efficiency: The efficiency of your solar panels will also affect the number of solar panels needed. Higher-efficiency solar panels can produce more energy per panel, which means you will need fewer panels to generate the same amount of electricity.
Climate: Climate factors such as temperature and weather patterns can also impact the efficiency of solar panels. Homes in areas with extreme temperatures or frequent cloudy weather may require more solar panels than homes in areas with milder climates.
Overall, the number of solar panels required to power a home depends on several factors, including energy consumption, home size, location and panel efficiency. While a typical home in the United States would require a solar panel system with a capacity of approximately 6-8 kilowatts to produce 30 kWh per day, it is important to consult with a solar professional to determine the specific number of solar panels needed to meet your unique energy needs.
That’s where Sol-Tek Solar comes into play! Consult with our team of solar professionals today to learn more about getting solar power for your home and put an end to the high PG&E bills before the summer-time hits.