Solar System Sizing

[Saqif Yasin]

August 8, 2023 at 6:30 pm

Can someone give me a Step-by-Step guide on how to Size a Solar System.

 

[Asad]

August 9, 2023 at 1:46 pm

Before you begin to size a solar system, follow these steps to determine your home’s average electricity consumption and PV needs:

1. Calculate Your kWh Usage
Determine your average monthly kWh usage. Add up your kWh usage for 12 months and divide by 12 to figure out your average monthly consumption. Your grid-tied system will tend to overproduce in the summer with peak sun exposure.

2. Look Up Your Peak Sun Hours
Average peak sun hours vary greatly depending on your location and local climate. You’ll want to determine how may peak hours of sunlight you’ll get so you can make the most of the solar power.

3. Calculate the Size of Your Solar System

To figure out how to size your solar system, take your daily kWh energy requirement and divide it by your peak sun hours to get the kW output. Then divide the kW output by your panel’s efficiency to get the estimated number of solar panels you’ll need for your system.

(Daily kWh ÷ average sun hours) x 1.15 efficiency factor = DC solar system size

For example, if you live in New Mexico, you average six peak sunlight hours per day. You’ll need 6.2 kW DC according to the formula:

(33 kWh ÷ 6.1 sun hours) x 1.15 efficiency factor = 6.2 kW DC solar system size required

Using the example above with a 6.2 kW DC system, you can multiply this number by 1,000 to confirm that you need 6,200 watts of solar panels.

6.2 kW x 1000 (convert to watts) = 6200 watts solar panel required

[Amit]

October 1, 2024 at 11:55 am

To size a solar system correctly, follow these step-by-step guidelines:

1. Determine Energy Needs: Calculate your total electricity consumption by reviewing your electricity bills over the past 12 months. This gives you the average kWh usage per day.
2. Evaluate Sunlight Availability: Measure the average sunlight hours your location receives daily. This varies by region and season and will impact the size of the system required.
3. Estimate System Size: Divide your daily energy consumption by the average sunlight hours to get the required system size in kW. For example, if you use 30 kWh/day and get 5 sunlight hours/day, you need a 6 kW system.
4. Consider Panel Efficiency: Solar panels come in various efficiency levels. The higher the efficiency, the fewer panels you’ll need to meet your energy demands.
5. Account for Future Growth: Many solar companies recommend sizing your system slightly larger to account for future energy consumption increases or efficiency losses over time.
6. Calculate Roof Space: Ensure your available roof space can accommodate the number of solar panels needed for the calculated system size.

By following these steps, you can effectively size a solar system tailored to your energy needs and regional conditions.