To know what size of solar system you should install, you’ll need to calculate your current kWh usage based on your latest electric bill. This step is important since it will provide you with an accurate assessment of the number of solar panels you’ll require for your system.
At Connected Solar Gippsland, we highly recommend getting an estimate of the solar system size you need. Doing so will let you know how big a system your home requires while giving you a general idea of how much it will cost.
This post will discuss the steps to calculate the size of the solar panel system you need while answering some common questions on solar panels installation.
How Do I Calculate What Size Solar System I Need?
To calculate the size of the solar system you need, you’ll have to multiply the hourly energy requirement of your home by the peak sunlight hours for your location. You should then divide that amount by a panel’s wattage.
You can establish a range by using a low-wattage and high-wattage example. Keep in mind that the size of your property’s roof and the amount of sunlight it gets should be considered as well.
When you work with us, we’ll take care of these calculations on your behalf. Our experts will provide a reasonable estimate of the solar system size you need for your home.
Should You Oversize Your Solar System?
When installing a solar system, you should oversize because panels rarely produce their exact output, particularly when faced with real-world conditions. There are two major reasons why this happens.
The first is that factors like shading and fluctuating temperatures will affect the overall efficiency of your solar panels. This can lead to your system producing lower than what it’s rated for.
The second reason is that your solar array won’t generate a consistent amount of energy throughout the day. Power production in a solar panel system will be less in the morning and evening but will peak at around noon.
At off-peak hours, the panel won’t produce as much energy as its rating.
Is a 10kW Solar System Too Big?
Choosing a 10kW solar panel system may be too big for most homes in Australia. On average, most homeowners will choose a system size between 5kW to 6.6kW. A 10kW system will be more appropriate for homes that consume more than 40kWh each day.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your network company might place a limitation on the size of your solar system. They might now allow you to take advantage of a solar feed-in tariff if you have a system bigger than 5kW without going through additional inspections and obtaining the correct documents.