| The first question that many new solar panel buyers | | | | rate, one panel will produce 1.04 kWh per day at its |
| ask is: how many panels do I need? First things first, | | | | peak power. For the average household (consuming |
| let's review some basic terms electricity terms you're | | | | 100 kWh per month) to become completely solar |
| going to come across when shopping for residential | | | | powered with 120 W panels, they would need to buy |
| solar power. | | | | around 32-34 panels. |
| The most basic measurement of electrical power is | | | | Another factor to consider when buying solar panels is |
| the watt. Since this amount of electricity is so small, | | | | the climate your home is located in. Residential solar |
| you'll find most appliances rated in kilowatts. A kilowatt | | | | power systems are most powerful when they are |
| is simply 1000 watts of electrical power. Electric | | | | located on climates where they receive at least 6 |
| companies often use kilowatt hours to measure | | | | hours of peak sunlight per day, and obviously, no |
| power usage. A good example of a kilowatt hour is if | | | | shading. If you purchase a mono-crystalline solar |
| you left 10 100-watt light bulbs running for 1 hour (10 | | | | power system, any shading (even over just one part |
| bulbs x 100-watts each for 1 hour = 1000 watts for 1 | | | | of the panel) will stop energy production. Conversely, a |
| hour = 1 kWh). | | | | poly-crystalline solar panel can function if a part of the |
| Next, we have a volt. A volt is a measurement used | | | | panel is shaded, but these panels have lower outputs |
| to describe the force at which electricity flows from | | | | than mono-crystalline. You should buy mono-crystalline |
| an electrical source. Plug outlets with higher voltages | | | | only if you know for sure that you will not have any |
| produce more electricity. This is why you have 120 | | | | shading whatsoever. |
| Volt outlets and 220 Volt outlets. You also have amps, | | | | Another type of panel is called "amorphous". Due to |
| which is the measure of strength the electrical power | | | | amorphous panels' lower efficiency of only 6-7%, you |
| has in a wire or device. | | | | usually have to buy twice as many panels. For |
| There are a few factors you need to consider when | | | | homeowners with smaller roofs, this can be a limiting |
| deciding just how much solar power to purchase. The | | | | factor to buying amorphous panels since they quickly |
| first thing you need to do before you buy solar panels | | | | run out of installation space! |
| is look at your electric bill and your trends over the | | | | Residential solar power is always getting better as |
| past year. Past behavior is the best predictor of future | | | | technology gets better. These days, there are panels |
| behavior. The average American household uses | | | | rated well above 120 watts. They cost more but you |
| around 1000 - 1200 kWh a month. | | | | can buy less and get the same result. No matter |
| Has your electric use risen? Have you downsized your | | | | where you buy, make sure you carefully consider your |
| electric use? Most solar experts agree that it's better | | | | future lifestyle habits and how your energy habits will |
| to buy too many solar panels than not enough. The | | | | change. The company you purchase from should |
| most common solar panels measure 4' 5" by 2' 2" and | | | | carefully counsel you on your needs and different |
| are rated at 120 Watts at their peak power. At this | | | | advantages of each system. |