There are many factors to consider when it comes to solar energy. One of these factors is the amount of sunlight available in your area. Calculating how many solar panels are needed is easy. Simply look at your utility bill, divide the amount by the hours of strong sun. But there are other factors that should be taken into consideration as well.
Calculating how big a solar system is
The math required to calculate the size and cost of a solar array to power an average household is not difficult. First, you must determine how much electricity is used each month. The last 12 months of your electric bills will help you determine this. Add up the kWhs that have been used by each appliance and electronic. This will show you how much you can save energy by replacing or upgrading appliances. This is an important step in calculating how much solar energy your house will require.
The size of a solar system should be calculated taking into consideration several factors. The numbers are easy to calculate, fortunately. To determine how much energy you are using, you can look at your utility bills. If your current energy bill shows that you use 370 watts of energy each day, you would need at least eighteen solar panels to offset your current energy use.
Peak sunshine hours
In order to calculate the amount of solar energy needed to power a typical house, you should know the average number of peak sunlight hours for your region. The number these hours rises closer to the equator and decreases further north. For most areas, peak sunlight averages between 3 and 5 hours per daily.
Divide the number if peak sun hours and multiply it by 1,000 to determine how many solar panels will be needed for an average house. This will give you an approximate 6.67 kWh per panel. This number can be multiplied with the hours of daylight in your region.
The average number of peak sun hours varies by state, as they depend on climate, latitude and roof orientation and tilt. Because peak sun hours are more common in summer, they are higher in sunny areas. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provides detailed maps of insolation by state. These maps can be used to determine the number of solar panels needed to power an average home during peak sunlight hours.
The operating and maintenance costs of a solar power system
Although the initial installation of a solar power system is free, there are costs associated with maintaining it. Cleaning solar panels is one of the most expensive. It can cost around $200. It is also possible that your system needs to be inspected following heavy snowfall. You should have an annual inspection and cleaning done to ensure that your panels function efficiently and effectively.
It depends on how large your solar panel system is, so you might need to have it cleaned periodically. You will need to pay $150-$300 for cleaning, depending on the size of your solar panel system, its slope, and the type of setup. Some companies may require two-yearly inspections.
Solar on-grid systems cost between Rs 53,000 to Rs 60,000. However, prices can vary depending upon the system's size and roof type.