Welcome to another blog! You’re going to love what’s on tap this month; we’re talking about Solar Panels and how they’re at the epicenter of the sustainability conversation when it comes to new builds for both residential and commercial properties.
So, how does it all work, and does it actually reduce costs in the long run?
Let’s dive in.
HOW SOLAR PANELS WORK
There are many benefits to solar panel energy with one of the biggest being having zero air pollution or greenhouse gasses when operating.
Now, when it comes to generating power, many of our clients ask us about solar panel operation during our rainy fall/winter months here on Vancouver Island, such as:
“Will my solar panels work when it gets cold and below freezing out?”
“Will my solar panels charge during the cloudy winter months?”
The short answer to both of those questions is, yes.
Solar Panels are made to withstand the seasons, including hail and light snow. It would be pretty silly if they couldn’t. Having said that, when it comes to energy, they will produce less during the fall and winter because the days are shorter, which means less daylight, and the sun is, on average, lower in the sky, but you can still produce enough to power your home.
One thing that gets misunderstood with solar panels is the ability for them to work without direct sunlight. Yes, you will get maximum efficiency when the sun is out, but you will still be able to produce electricity when it’s cloudy.
The trick is to maximize the time you have during the day to charge because, at night, solar panels cannot. This is where solar power storage comes into the fold, which prepares you for the winter months.
The average residential solar battery capacity usually ranges between 5-15 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the average home will use roughly 9 to 9.5 DoD (depth of discharge) per day, so based on that, you can see that you’ll probably need 10-12 solar batteries if you have a 6.3 kilowatt electricity load.
HOW MANY SOLAR PANELS WILL YOU NEED FOR YOUR 2024/2025 HOME?
For this section, we’re going to try to break down the average amount of solar panels needed based on how much square footage you have in your home.
If you have 1,000 square feet of living space and your electricity load is around 4,700 kWh, you will need approximately 8 solar panels.
2,000 square feet would yield around a 9,400kWh load, which means you’d need approximately 16 solar panels.
2,500 square feet would yield approximately 11,800kWh, which then would need around 20 solar panels.
3,000 square feet, you’re looking at about 14,100kWh, which 24 solar panels would be able to sustain.
A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION THAT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY
We’ve installed a lot of solar panels for folks here on Vancouver Island, and then we always hear about the horror stories of rushed, inaccurate installations/assessments first, which can cause some hesitancy, which is why our team has been the go-to for many residents because when installed properly, solar panels will save you money down the road.
To use a 6kW solar system as an example, you will roughly save $0.25-$0.30 per kWh, which, of course, depends on your retailer and how much you pay for power, and you will pay back roughly $0.05 to $0.10 per kWh.
To put it short, you’ll save approximately $500 to $600 per quarterly bill and pay back your solar panel investments typically within 6-10 years, but in turn, this is an energy that replaces fossil fuels, greenhouse gasses, and carbon dioxide emissions, and comes with a 30+ year lifespan with low maintenance.
We hope you enjoyed this month’s blog on solar panels. They’re a great sustainable solution with ample benefits. Our esteemed professionals go through a rigorous training process to ensure a proper install and give you peace of mind the job will be done properly the first time, so when you’re ready to pull the trigger on your installation, get in touch with us for a quote!
Thanks for reading, and make sure you keep up with us and all the awesome projects we have on the go by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.