Finding a knowledgeable solar energy contractor is no small task. Some companies from out of state don’t understand the nuances of Ohio weather. Others focus primarily on homes in the country, forgetting that a backyard solar system is completely viable for city residents. Of course, it’s helpful to first know how many solar panels you’ll need for your home. Let’s look at several questions that can help point you in the right direction.
Will your solar panels be your sole source of power?
A single group of solar panels can act as a secondary source of power. However, the first question your solar energy contractor should ask is if this will be your sole source of power. If so, then you’ll need a significantly larger solar system. You’ll want to be especially focused on our next two questions as well.
How many hours per day do you get direct sunlight?
As we mentioned, sometimes a solar energy contractor will focus exclusively on homes in the country. These typically have much larger yards that get many hours of sunlight per day.
This, of course, doesn’t mean those in the city can’t have a backyard field of solar panels. Rather, it simply means that you’ll need to be more aware of how the sun moves across the sky. This is even more important during the winter months. If you’re close to downtown, for example, and the sun gets blocked easily then you’ll need more solar panels to maximize your energy capture.
What are the power demands of your home?
One important detail that a solar energy contractor should not overlook is the current (and predicted future) power demands of your home. To get a good idea, take a moment and walk around your home (after you finish reading this, that is). Take note of how many things you have plugged in. How many television sets do you own? Do you have more than one gaming console? How about computers or mobile devices? Do your kids have several each or are you an empty nester?
Finally, what type of smart appliances do you have? These can sometimes draw more power due to their always-on nature. In addition, what will be your power demands in five to ten years?
How many solar panels will you need?
As you can see, there are quite a few things to keep in mind when deciding how many solar panels you’ll need. You can use a rough estimate of at least 15 as a minimum, though this is based on national low-end calculations and not your home’s specific power demands.
Work with a solar energy contractor who can help you answer each of these questions!
We’ve been helping homeowners across Central Ohio since 2004 with their various electrical needs. These include selecting the number of solar panels that are right for their home. As each situation is different, the best solution is to contact our team today to get a free quote.
If you’d like to learn more about our solar energy contractor services, then give us a call today. You can contact a member of our team at 614-206-5401 or by sending us a message HERE.