An average American home needs about 15-17 solar panels to offset the average annual electricity consumption completely. However, the exact number may vary depending on many factors.
Chances are, your Daytona Beach, Florida, home doesn’t line up precisely with the U.S. average energy usage. You might need less or more.
So, how many solar panels would your Daytona Beach home need? In this article, we’ll go over four factors that will determine the number of solar energy you’ll need in your home.
Size Of The Home
The bigger the house, the more likely it needs more energy to keep everything running in every room. According to the EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration), in 2021, the average American household used about 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. That equal to:
- 30 kWh per day
- 10,715 kWh per year
You probably use more energy if you have a bigger house and a larger family. But if yours is smaller than average, the power consumption is less.
But why does power usage matter? Because the goal of having solar power is to replace electricity 100%. And if you’re to do so, you need enough panels to power everything.
So, to know the number of solar panels you’ll need, you have to calculate your daily power usage vs. what a single panel can provide. It would be as follows:
- Your daily power consumption in kWh/ peak sun hours in kWh = total solar power required in kW.
- Then divide the power requirement by the energy rating of a single panel to get the number of solar panels needed.
You can also speak to a solar energy expert like us at Wayne Solar, and we can help you with the calculations and provide an accurate estimate. We will also guide you through the peak sun hours in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Orientation and Roof Design
The sun’s orientation in relation to your roof design is another factor determining the number of solar panels you need. That is to mean how much sunshine your panels will get exposed to due to the size and design of the roof will affect the solar rays they receive.
For example, a south-facing roof, angled at 30 degrees to catch the maximum sunshine, will require fewer panels than one with flat surfaces.
On the other hand, one facing east with the same inclination will have fewer peak sun hours. That only means you’ll need more panels to produce the same amount of solar energy. You can always contact professional installers to help you work around the orientation and design to get the best setup.
Solar Panel Power Rating
Solar panels are not the same. Different brands and types provide different wattage ratings. Their output depends on factors such as the number of solar cells. That means the power rating of each will affect the number of panels you’ll need to meet your energy needs.
For example, Photovoltaic (P.V.) solar panels (found in most residentials) have a wattage ranging between 150 watts to 370. That also depends on the panel size (more cells) and efficiency.
Additionally, solar panels with no grid lines on the cells absorb more sunlight than conventional types. They also suffer less from issues such as peeling (delamination). Plus, they have a microinverter on each panel for better power conversion.
Such variations make solar panels differ in outputs and quality. It also makes it challenging to generalize the best and how many you will need.
Conclusion
Finding the exact number of solar panels for your Daytona Beach, Florida, home can be long and tedious. You will have to factor in many things that sometimes need more than simple calculations.
At Wayne Solar, we have the experience to help you make the right choice. We will work with you throughout the process and help you get a customized solution that will give you the most value. Contact us today, and let’s get started!
We are privileged to serve Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Ponce Inlet, and Daytona Beach Shores, as well as the nearby communities.
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