Solar Power Systems for Home & Off Grid Solar System Sizing Calculator
Table of Contents
- Overview
- How to Build a Solar Power System for Home
- Fulll Off Grid Solar Power Systems for Homes
- On-Grid Solutions & Solar Power Backup Systems for Homes
- Calculating Solar Power System for Home Cost
- Solar Power On Grid Off Grid – Which is Better?
- Solar Power Systems Government Grants
- Solar Power Systems for Home FAQ
Overview
Building a Home PV System
Solar Power System Calculator
For the right setup for a home solar power system, some basic calculations are needed. Our solar system sizing tool gives a first estimate of how a home solar power solution could look like.
Off-Grid Solutions
On-Grid Solutions
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How to Build a Solar Power System for Home
A complete solar energy package contains everything you need to generate your own energy. These solar power systems are suitable for homes, holiday homes and apartment complexes that aim for energy independence.
Solar Power System Components
Our solar power systems for home supply produce enough energy for an average three bedroom house with family. They can also be scaled for holiday homes and smaller properties if necessary. We can help you specify your own system or build one for you according to your needs.
Get in touch with us to request a quote or schedule an appointment for a free online consultation.
Fulll Off Grid Solar Power Systems for Homes
As opposed to a grid-tied solar power energy system for home, off grid solar panel kits allow a household to disconnect from public electricity networks and cover its entire energy demand with solar power. This is crucial as this has different requirements in terms of maintenance and equipment and, most importantly, its own risks.
When opting for an off grid kit, the first step is to weigh the inherent downsides against the benefits.
Solar Power Systems for Homes Off-Grid
- No integration with public energy supply
- Power supply entirely dependent on solar
- No export of excess power
- Household unaffected by public power outages
- No electricity bills
- Higher number of solar panels required
- Higher maintenance requirements
What is Meant by Off Grid Solar Systems?
An off-grid solar power system completely disconnected from public energy infrastructure. The household attached to it is completely reliant to solar power to satisfy its power demand. For example, when taking a 5kW solar system off grid, the daily power demand of the respective household can only be satisfied as long as it stays under 30 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day.
The thought of going fully off grid with a full solar system for home and become independent from public electricity supply is compelling. It opens up new dimensions of personal freedom for homeowners who have hitherto been subject to the policies of private electricity providers and public power agencies.
BUT: When considering all implications of going off grid with a full solar kit, it quickly becomes obvious that it is by no means a risk-free decision.
Full Off Grid Solar System – Risks and How to Mitigate them
One of the biggest drawbacks of a full off grid solution is that it confines oneself to a single electricity source. A PV array generates electricity only under full sunlight exposure, so an off-grid system has about 6 hours per day to generate a households energy supply for an entire day.
Therefore, it is crucial to know how much power your household consumes in a day beforehand. The easiest way to determine a household’s daily electricity consumption is by using a load calculator.
This requires reliable high-capacity devices. Because they have to establish their own grid, off-grid systems can only operate under a high voltage 400v solar panel array.
TIP: Calculate the required number of solar panels with our off grid solar system sizing calculator.Best Off-Grid Solar Panels: RK Standard PV Module
Ruike PV modules are a masterpiece of CdTe thin film cell technology. The modules are optimized for maximum efficiency, making them a valuable component in an off-grid environment.
The RK series offers exceptional value for money. The advantages of CdTe production allow for a relatively low price compared to silicon modules, while maintaining high perforamnce values.
An additional interlayer of 0.5mm Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) makes them a superb choice when durability is of importance.
- Best off-grid solar panels
- Cost-effective
- 400v solar panel
- Transmittance: 0%
- Efficiency: 160W/㎡
- Rooftop & Ground-Mounted Systems
No Off-Grid Solar Power System Without Battery Storage
As opposed to grid-connected solar power systems, the deployment of solar batteries becomes mandatory in an off grid solution. This is because excess solar power generated during peak sun hours must be stored to provide electricity at night. The storage capacity must be large enough to store all electricity needed during this period. Furthermore, a charge controller is required to protect the batteries from overload.
There are no secondary sources of electricity to fall back on in case of a battery failure outside of peak hours. The possibility of equipment failures are the greatest risk of a full off-grid solution. Thorough equipment checks on a regular basis, timely maintenance and (if affordable) a solar equipment emergency reserve go a long way in mitigating these risks.
However, when push comes to shove, the deciding element in an impeccably operating full off-grid solar system lies in the high quality and durability of the individual devices. The solar power off grid cost is more expensive, especially the off grid solar inverter price tends to be high.
Best Off-Grid Solar Inverter: H2 Series
The H2 is a multi-purpose hybrid inverter for off-grid solutions. A 16A string guarantees for reliable handling of modern high-power PV modules
A backup mode with UPS function allows for a switching time of less than 10ms. With 150% DC and AC 110% AC overload capacity, the H2 can be relied on even under the most straining conditions.
In additionl, the H2 also works as a battery charger. Thus, it really is the ideal inverter for any off-grid solar power system!
- Best off-grind solar inverter
- Integrated battery charger
- For ultra-high power modules
- Smart energy management
- Weatherproof
On-Grid Solutions & Solar Power Backup Systems for Homes
Solar Power Systems for Home - Advantages of Partial Off-Grid Solutions
- Multiple sources of electricity
- Access to electricity in case of power outage or solar power system failure
- Earn money by exporting excess solar power
- Lower or no electricity bills (depending on setup)
- Expense control
- Most energy efficient
In our experience, on-grid solutions are not only the safer choice, they also come with no inherent drawbacks worthy of mention. Access to electricity is provided at all times and users have the advantage of using their solar power system as a backup in case of power outage and vice versa.
Households can switch between two sources of power in a controlled manner. Thus, electricity bills can be kept to a minimum, which might result in a better cost reduction than an off grid solar power station in the long term. The capacity of an off-grid system can be scaled at any time, should external circumstances (or user requirements) change by
Best Solar Battery Storage Solution
AS 1-3KS-5.1
The SAJ AS 1-3KS-5.1 is a great choice for a solar power storage system for home. The fully AC coupled battery system is an attractive option for retrofit upgrades as well.
A full-fledged intelligent energy storage system with smart meters provides maximum freedom in terms of energy and expense allocation.
The AS1 adds a new dimension of scalability to an on grid solar system. Due to it’s modular design, it can be combined with additional battery units to increase storage capacity.
- Optimal for on-grid solutions
- Storage capacity: 5.1 kWh
- Modular design
- Lithium battery
- No lead acid
- Smart energy management
- 3 different operating modes
- Integrated inverter charger
On-Grid Solar Energy Systems – Controlling Costs and Allocating Energy
On-grid systems are superior to their counterparts in almost every aspect of cost control, starting with equipment expense. A cheap solar power system with grid access constitutes no immediate liability in case of failure as the household always can fall back on the public power infrastructure.
However, they show their greatest strength when cost control and energy allocation converge. Medium to large-sized systems can be programmed to draw solar power from their batteries when electricity prices are highest while simulteanously exporting excess solar power when most profitable. The reliance on grid power is then limited to situations where solar batteries can’t fully cover power demand at night.
If optimal energy supply during power outages is a priority, the parameters can be adjusted accordingly. With the right setup, a households energy economy can be balanced with surgical precision to exactly conform to the personal preference of the user. Therefore, an on-grid solar system must yield sufficient capacity and performance to balance energy flows accordingly.
Our long-standing expertise in solar power solutions will save you time and money as we determine the perfect setup with you together and you’ll get free online consultation on-demand.
Calculating Solar Power System for Home Cost
Knowing your finances and power consumption habits makes the process of finding the correct solar power system setup a lot faster and more convenient. It doesn’t take more than a few basic numbers about your household which can be looked up on a tax return or energy bill.
How to Calculate Solar Power System for Home – Number of Solar Panels
To calculate the basic criteria of a solar power system, one needs to know only three things:
- Total solar power system output
- Number of solar panels
- Electricity savings through solar power
Before you buy solar panels, you have to know the total power output required to fully supply a households demand. This value determines two fundamental properties of your solar system: Inverter capacity and the number of on- or off grid solar panels.
While the amount of electricity savings doesn’t have to be known, it helps to visualize that installing a solar power system for home is actually the most economic way to generate electricity for a household. The amount of money saved through solar power can actually make the difference between a mediocre and a great retirement pension if done correctly.
Use our solar calculator to get a rough idea of how your own solar power system for home could look like. All you need to know is your monthly electricity expenses.
Solar Power On Grid Off Grid – Which is Better?
In our experience, the best solar power systems for home are grid-connected. Going off-grid might be attractive because you can be 100% self-sufficient. However, there are also disadvantages, risks, and, most importantly a higher overall cost.
Advantages of On-Grid Solar Power Systems
- Flexibility
- Scalability
- Multiple sources of electricity
- Optimize electricity cost
- Lower equipment cost
Grid-connected means that your system is connected to the public electricity grid. This is preferable in most cases, as you are covered if your solar system output falls short of your households energy demand. An on-grid solar power system for home also offers more flexibility: If you produce more energy with your solar system than you consume, the excess energy is exported for a profit to the public grid.
Solar Power Systems for Home Price
Determining the exact cost of an off-grid solar system is difficult given the variety of options. On average, a complete solar power system for a three-bedroom house would cost about 12,000 €.
Energy prices keep going up and there are no signs of change. Energy independence is a huge step in self sufficiency. Whatever the motive for wanting to go solar might be, the technology we have now not only makes it possible but makes perfect economic sense.
We have the products, knowledge and the expertise to walk you through the entire process of installing a solar power system for home. Our solutions offer value, superb reliability and use the latest solar power technology to generate the highest amount of energy.
Contact us to get a quote or schedule an appointment for a free online consultation.
Solar Power Systems for Home Price Quotes
Solar Power Systems Government Grants
Many governments provide incentives to going solar. Mostly, they offer rewards in the form of grants, tax deductions or subsidies.
To find out which kind of financial incentives your country offers for going solar, please use the contact form below.
National Grant Schemes
Governments on the national, provincial and town level offer various options for subsidising commercial solar PV systems. For example, there are grants to fund the purchase of solar panels for businesses by up to 10%. Furthermore, subsidies exist to fund solar panel installation for businesses. In general, before installing solar panels for your business, you should find out about the following subsidy options in advance:
- Low-Interest Loans
- Statutory Feed-in Tariff for Commercial Solar Installations
- Regional Subsidy Programmes
- Grants from Energy Suppliers
Feed in Tariff FIT
A feed-in tariff is a policy to encourage investment in renewable energy. To that end, governments offer a price above market level for feeding energy into the grid . These incentives are usually aimed at homeowners and small business.
Usually, FITs involve long-term contracts of 15 to 25 years length. In particular, this is common in developed countries like the U.S. , Germany and Japan.
Use the contact form below to inquire about which financial incentives are available for your solar power project. Make sure to provide the correct details for a correct assessment.
Solar Power Subsidies Inquiry
Solar Power Systems for Home FAQ
How Much Space Does A Home Solar Power System Need?
One solar panel takes an area of about 17.5 square feet (1.6 ㎡). Assuming an average output of 265 Watts per panel, the yield will be roughly 90Wh per square foot or 994Wh per ㎡.
For a full off-grid solar system you should expect to use 20 solar panels, for a total of 350 square feet (32.5 ㎡).
Do Home Solar Power Systems Require a Building Permit?
PV solar panels do not require planning permission in most European countries. However, there are exceptions and it is best to check with your local building authority.
Before installing a home solar power system, the project must be registered with the local utility. However, most installers will take of the registration process on behalf of the owner.