The shift to clean energy is perfect on paper – help save the planet and make your own free energy at home (after the initial purchase, of course). But there are many important considerations that you shouldn’t overlook before making your purchase, including just how much electricity you’ll actually get from your solar panels.
The Numbers
To give you a thorough understanding of how effective solar panels are, we first need to set the parameters. A solar panel’s output is measured using kilowatts (kW), and your average three-bedroom house will require around a 3.5kWp (kilowatts peak) system.
Individual solar panels come in 350W (watt) format, and average around 265kWh (kilowatt hours) on average per year. This kilowatt-hour measurement simply expresses how much energy you use, often shown in your energy bills.
Returning to our average three-bedroom house example, you’ll need to meet the 2,700kWh demand with around ten 350W solar panels. Your mileage may vary, so try calculating your daily usage from previous energy bills.
How much do these numbers vary?
A common question about solar panels concerns their ability to produce electricity during the colder, cloudier months. After all, what good would they be if they only work during the summer months, when heating and lighting aren’t as important?
It’s true that the winter months, with the dismal weather and absence of daylight, won’t be as productive as the summer. Regardless, you’ll still save around 70% on energy bills every year.
If you’re seeking solar panel installation Yate, expert installers such as redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-yate will be happy to discuss the potential savings with you.
If you find yourself with surplus energy, especially during the summer months, you can invest in a storage battery, or return the energy to the grid, earning you some extra money through the Smart Export Guarantee
Bear in mind that many of these averages are estimates, and these numbers can lean in either direction, depending on weather, daylight exposure, and even the angle of the solar panels. These factors will vary day by day as well, so take all figures with a grain of salt.
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