­How to Determine the Solar Power Needs of Your Home

This article supplies guidelines that will assist you in determining the solar power needs for your home. Whether you’re going for 100% solar power and converting entirely to solar or you want to tie into the existing power grid (which is the most economical and cost efficient method) these tips will get you going in the right direction.  

The sheer amount of information that is available about solar powered homes is overwhelming besides each of you requires different information depending on whether you intend to build a solar powered home from scratch ,add a solar energy system to an existing home, tie into the conventional power grid (your electric company) , completely remove yourself from the grid (a 100% solar powered home), you get the picture.

If you have looked at the cost to solar power your home, then I do not have to tell you how important it is to cut every corner that you comfortably can before you size your solar energy system. Sizing a system is determining how many panels and batteries (if going off grid) you will require to run the household. 

A well designed solar powered home makes use of as many passive solar techniques as possible to reduce overall energy needs. This in turn reduces the cost of your solar energy system. At least some passive solar concepts can be incorporated in almost every home, even if it’s an existing residence. Use the most energy efficient appliances on the market and add as many passive solar modifications as possible to keep overall costs to a minimum. 

It also makes good sense to power some of your household appliances with natural gas. The dryer, stove top ,oven, heater, and air conditioning stystems for instance consume huge amounts of electricity making them a large drain on a solar power system. When it is time to replace your household appliances buy the most energy efficient models available. It will pay dividends in the long term.