Renewable energy sources are very much in demand. They help reduce expenditure on energy and are also better for the environment. Solar energy is a clean energy source preferred by households across the US.
What Affects A Home’s Ability To Meet Energy Requirements From Solar Energy Alone?
Energy Consumption
When homeowners want to meet all their solar energy needs with energy exclusively from solar energy, they must know the entire home’s energy consumption. The latest electricity bill must be checked to see the past electricity usage. A professional managing the home solar panel installation considers variables that impact electricity usage.
Energy use may increase throughout the winter. However, less energy is used when the weather is milder, such as in the spring and fall. Additionally, the summer is when solar panels produce the most solar energy. As a result, the weather patterns will be considered when solar panel installation contractors estimate the amount of electricity generated annually.
Space
Home solar panel installation requires adequate space that gets sufficient sunlight. To limit the chance of this interfering with day-to-day activities, the roof is the most widely used place for installing solar panels. If desired, a ground-mounted solar system can be installed.
Adequate space must be available to get enough solar energy to run a household. The area required will depend on the energy needed. On average, homes require a solar system between 5 and 20KW. So, 312 to 1,189 sq. ft. of space with access to sunlight is essential.
All roof faces do not get the same amount of sunlight. South, east and west facing roofs offer the best sunlight exposure for solar panels. If the roof faces north, it gets less sunlight in the daytime. Additional solar panels will be needed to generate the required electricity if mounted on a suboptimal roof face. Trees shading the roof may have to be trimmed or cut down.
A ground-mounted system has the advantage of allowing it to be moved and positioned in the right direction and tilt to receive the most sunlight. Ground mount systems are mostly installed in rural areas, and on properties with more available land.
Choose an off-grid or grid-tied system
Both these options can generate enough solar energy for a 100% solar-powered home. When it rains or at night, solar panels are not producing electricity. But, in summer or sunny weather, they produce more electricity. The surplus electricity is stored in batteries, or sent back to the grid. In an off-grid system, the energy is stored, while electricity can be exchanged for credit in a grid-tied system.
Off-grid solar systems do not depend on utility companies and cannot draw electricity from them. Choosing this system can give off-grid houses a reliable source of power. Grid-tied systems can generate all the electricity a home needs, but the storage battery is not needed. Grid interactive solar battery systems provide electricity during power black outs as well.
