To envision how solar power can provide enough juice for an entire house, it's necessary to cover a bit of the basics. We've probably all seen the more traditional solar panels by now — flat, glare-inducing, unwieldy looking things that sit on rooftops.
Solar panels capture whatever sunlight is available and convert it to DC power. An inverter converts the DC power to AC power (which is what we use to power electronic devices). For people who want to completely power an entire home with the sun's rays, there are systems available to convert and store extra power in the form of battery energy. This way, the house still can have a source of power at night or in poor weather (though it can't cover the shortfall of a poorly designed or inadequate system).
Solar shingles are also a subtle, streamlined alternative to the older, bigger panels. They are made from the same materials as traditional solar panels, act as traditional roof shingles and look pretty much like a regular roof ... perhaps just a bit shinier. Contrary to popular belief, the newer panels can work even in weak or scattered sunshine conditions.
So why does converting to solar sometimes take a bit of persuasion? Generally, houses in the United States get heat either from gas or from electricity, usually provided by local utility companies. Let's assume that someone gung-ho on going solar wants off the grid entirely — no gas or electricity from the utility companies. The electricity provided by solar power, then, needs to accommodate for heating, air conditioning (which, by far, is one of the biggest drains of power in a house), other parts of the house's infrastructure like lighting and vent fans, all major appliances (refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer) and other electronics like the stereos, televisions and computers. (This list, of course, is by no means comprehensive: How many members of your family need to constantly charge their smartphones or tablets?)
If your house is huge or you're a power hog who leaves the electronics on all day, you'll need a more intense solar setup. It would be nice to assume that those serious about performing this conversion already are pretty conscious of consumption and making an effort to reduce power usage, like using insulated window shades instead of cranking the a/c, or foregoing a dishwasher that heats up and churns for hours. As solar goes more mainstream, though, the eco-conscious early adopters might not be the majority. They'll want a more robust solar system.
The smart consumer calculates electricity use, then assembles a solar panel setup that can meet that demand. If the setup seems like too much, cutting back on consumption might be in order.
Though it's certainly complicated and can be expensive, people with the resources to design and build a solar-powered home from scratch have some advantages. A lot of subtleties come into play when planning a residential solar system for a specific existing house. The actual design of the house is one such factor. How big is the roof's surface (which affects its potential solar surface area)? What direction does the roof face, and what's the degree of its pitch? Are there obstructions that cause partial shade?
Location is also a factor. A house in Scandinavia, with its notoriously short days, won't fare as well as a house near the equator. The average number of sunny days matters too; if it's raining until nightfall, it doesn't particularly matter if nightfall comes late. If you're building your own solar-powered dream house, you'll have more say over some of those variables.
When you're trying to figure out how much power you can produce with your new solar setup, and how much you'll need, it's helpful to look at meteorological data for your area, too. It'll show you how much sunlight you can expect in any given month, based on past averages. You should have copies of your utility bills nearby, which will let you know how much power you consume. You can use all this information to figure out if the system you want will make enough electricity.
General guidelines recommend a setup that generates 1 kilowatt per 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of house. But don't let your optimism take over — you need to ensure you can produce enough power to get you through the worst times, not the best. You'll want to literally prepare for the proverbial rainy day.
FAQs
To run your entire house on solar power alone, you will need a large battery bank to keep your home running at night. If you maintain a grid connection, you'll still be able to use the electric grid as a backup option should you run out of stored solar energy.
Can a house fully run on solar power alone? ›
Can a house run on solar power alone? It is possible to run a house on solar power alone. However, going completely off-grid requires a considerable financial and time investment. The higher your energy requirements, the more solar panels you'll need.
Can a home run only on solar? ›
If your goal is a 100% solar-powered home, you can achieve it with either a solar system that's off-grid or grid-tied. The difference between these is what happens to your excess electricity and how you access electricity when your system isn't generating power.
How do I run my house on solar power? ›
For solar energy to power your home, you need to run the system-generated electricity through the inverter and convert it into alternating current (AC). Depending on your chosen setup, you may have to connect the solar battery and inverter to your circuit breaker panel and fuse box to run into the home.
How to generate enough electricity to run a house? ›
- Solar power. You can use the sun to generate electricity for your home through solar photovoltaic panels that are installed on your roof. ...
- Solar heating. ...
- Air source heat pumps. ...
- Wind energy. ...
- Biomass systems. ...
- Hydroelectric systems. ...
- Renewable electricity supply.
Typically, you'll need about two to three batteries to avoid using grid electricity during peak hours and when your solar panels aren't producing power. You'll still rely on the grid on a cloudy day, but you'll be self-sufficient enough to maximize your solar investment.
How many solar panels to run a 2000 sq ft house? ›
Depending on energy consumption, location, and weather patterns, the number of solar panels needed for a 2,000-square-foot home can range from 20 to 24. This number is based on 375-watt panels. This would assume that the home uses, on average, around 9,000-11,000 kWh of power per year.
What appliances cannot be used with solar power? ›
Electric ovens and stovetops, just like water and room heaters, use far too much power to be viable on solar.
How many solar panels to be fully off-grid? ›
If your energy requirements were as such as the average mentioned above (7 Kw) and you were to use 200-watt solar panels, then you'd need more or less 35 panels to take your home off-grid. Or if you used 350-watt solar panels, you'd need 20 panels.
Can you live off-grid with just solar panels? ›
Going off-grid requires energy storage (a lot of it)
An off-grid solar system can be a solid way to power a shed or a portion of your home, but it rarely makes practical and financial sense for a whole home, even with energy storage. On average, you'll need around 12 solar batteries to go off the grid.
As solar energy rapidly gains popularity, one of the most important and complex questions every potential solar customer has is, “How many solar panels do I need?” Based on our customer surveys, the average house needs around 16-25 solar panels to power its typical energy consumption.
How many solar panels do I need for a 1500 square foot house? ›
Solar Panels For a 1500 Square Foot House
The average home in the United States is roughly 1500 square feet. With a home of this size, the typical electric bill comes in around $100 month. In order to cover the electricity for this home, you would need an estimated 15-18 solar panels.
What is the best off-grid power source? ›
What is the best off-grid power source? Solar energy is considered among the best off-grid power options, as you can generate solar electricity from anywhere and power your house or office.
How to make free electricity to run your home? ›
How to Generate Your Own Electricity at Home
- Solar. Solar electricity panels, otherwise known as photovoltaics (PV), harness the energy from the rays of the sun to convert it into electricity that can be used within your home. ...
- Wind. ...
- Ground/Air Source Heat Pumps. ...
- Biomass. ...
- Hydroelectricity.
According to the IEA's World Energy Outlook and other research projects, solar and wind energy have continued to occupy the top spots in terms of the cheapest renewable energy sources. Both energy sources cost significantly less than fossil fuel alternatives and continue to become more affordable every year.
How to make free energy with a magnet? ›
The simplest generator consists of just a coil of wire and a bar magnet. When you push the magnet through the middle of the coil, an electric current is produced in the wire. The current flows in one direction as the magnet is pushed in, and in the other direction as the magnet is removed.
Can a house be 100% solar? ›
This is one of the most common questions we get from California homeowners who are thinking about going solar. The answer is yes; a house can run only on solar power, but there are a few factors to consider if you want to meet all of your home's power needs with solar energy.
How much solar does it take to fully power a house? ›
As solar energy rapidly gains popularity, one of the most important and complex questions every potential solar customer has is, “How many solar panels do I need?” Based on our customer surveys, the average house needs around 16-25 solar panels to power its typical energy consumption.
Can solar panels power a whole house during a power outage? ›
Solar powered homes that are connected to the grid contribute to the production of electricity, but are not immune to blackouts that affect the entire community. The only way to reduce your risk of suffering through a blackout is to store the solar power your system generates on-site.
