One of the most commonly asked questions by customers is whether a 10kW solar kit will be enough to power their home. For the average home in the USA, the answer is likely yes, but it depends on several factors. So let’s first understand how a solar system is sized and what that means. We’ll discuss four topics to answer this question: The difference between power (kW) and energy (kWh), how the size of a solar system is calculated, what the solar system produces, and how to determine the benefits and savings. Now, let’s dive into each topic in more detail.
What is the difference between power (kW) and energy (kWh)? A kilowatt (kW) represents the power used by an appliance or produced by a solar kit. 1 kW is equal to 1,000 watts. Most homes can accept between 24,000 watts to 48,000 watts of power from the utility at any given moment. For example, if your home has a 100 Amp electrical panel that can handle up to 240 Volts, then the house can accept up to 24,000 watts (100A * 240V) of power from the utility at any moment. 10kW is equal to 10,000 watts. To put it into perspective, if a microwave oven requires 1,000 watts, then 10kW would be enough to power 10 microwave ovens running simultaneously. That is likely more power than you’ll need at any one time. On the other hand, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) measures energy as kilowatts are used over an hour. 1 kWh is equal to one thousand watts used for an hour. Your utility bill is measured in kWh every month. The average home uses 30 kWh per day, 916 kWh per month, or 11,000 kWh per year. kW measures power, while kWh measures energy. When you purchase energy from the grid, you buy kWh.
How is a solar system size calculated? Solar panels are rated based on their power output. However, this rating does not guarantee that they will produce that power at all times. The rating is determined in ideal conditions, such as in a factory environment. Throughout the day, the amount of power (kW) generated by the solar panels will vary due to factors such as the Sun’s position and seasonal changes. To estimate the size of your solar system, you will need three pieces of information to calculate the solar kilowatts: 1. Your utility power bill for the last 12 months. Some power bills have a summary chart that may show the average daily kWh used for the past 12 months. If not, you can add up the kilowatt hours for each month. 2. The solar hours per day for your location. Check our Calculate Solar Page to find your state and nearest city for solar hours data. 3. The percentage of your power bill that you want to be covered by solar energy. You can choose any percentage, such as 50%, 80%, 100%, or 150%. It’s up to you. Our Calculate Solar Page has a power calculator that you can use with just a few simple steps.
What will the system produce for my home? The energy produced by your solar array depends on the environmental conditions. For example, in the case of a 10kW solar kit, sometimes it will produce less than 10kW, and other times it may produce more. Keep in mind that you buy energy in kWh, so it’s important to consider what the solar kit will produce over a month, season, or year, rather than at a specific moment. For a 10kW solar kit, you can expect it to produce around 30 to 45 kWh daily, or approximately 11,000 to 17,000 kWh over a year. The energy production will vary based on factors like weather (sunny vs. cloudy days), season (summer vs. winter), and location (e.g., Florida vs. Ohio). For instance, in Ohio, where there are approximately 4.68 solar hours per day, a 10kW solar kit would be enough to cover 100% of a home’s 13,000 kWh annual usage. However, in Florida, where there are 5.77 solar hours per day, an 8kW solar kit would be sufficient to cover the same energy needs. Location and energy requirements are important factors to consider when determining the size of a solar kit. Purchasing a storage system can provide power on demand and serve as a backup source during grid outages.
How will my home benefit from the system? In an ideal scenario, if you use the energy you produce at the time it is generated, you would have a zero energy balance. However, it’s more likely that you either use less energy than you produce, resulting in selling energy back to the grid, or use more energy than you produce, requiring you to buy energy from the grid. The rate at which you sell your energy to your electricity company is determined by your electricity rate schedule. If your kit produces 40 kWh per day (14,600 kWh per year), and you pay 20 cents per kWh, you would save $2,920 per year. The actual usage and selling of energy are averaged over a year, and the energy company reconciles all these factors in your billing cycle. Instead of focusing on minute or hourly energy production, it’s more beneficial to consider what your solar kit produces over a season or a year.
In conclusion, determining the size of a solar kit depends on various factors, including location, energy requirements, and available sunlight hours. By considering these factors and using the tools available, such as calculators and consultations, you can find the most suitable solar kit for your home and budget. Jan 11th, 2023