The International Energy Agency reports, that in 2023, solar energy contributed 13% of total power produced globally, a percentage that is growing with each passing day. This is for some good reasons as solar power has multiple benefits. It's free, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.
With power outages becoming a norm and electricity prices going upward, the inclination towards solar power is obvious. However, many individuals still have a vague understanding of whether it is possible to Run a Whole House on Solar Power.
Let’s find the answer by investigating how we can do this. How many solar panels will be required, what will be their cost, and is worth running your house with solar panels?
Is It Possible to Run a Whole House on Solar Power?
Maybe it was a dream some years ago, but for now YES, running a whole house on solar power is possible.
Solar panels have witnessed many technological advancements in recent years. Their energy production capacity has increased manifold. This, combined with high-energy density batteries like LiFePO4, has enabled solar power to fulfill all of a home's energy needs.
However, despite all this progress in battery and solar technology, careful planning is still crucial for running a whole house on solar power. Here are the limitations that should be considered.
- You must have sufficient space to install solar panels, which is critical to capture sunlight.
- Solar panels only produce power during sunlight hours. So, your panels should be able to fulfill your daytime needs and generate extra power to be stored in batteries for use at night.
- You need to manage your energy consumption patterns. For example, solar systems have limited output capacity so you can run only a number of appliances at a time.
- Last but not least, your batteries should be powerful enough to meet your power demands for prolonged periods, i.e., at night or during cloudy days when there is insufficient sunlight to produce more power.
How to Run Your Whole House on Solar?
Running your whole house on solar could be beneficial in many aspects. It saves you from hefty energy bills, makes you grid-independent, and most importantly, ensures your step toward a clean and green future by limiting your carbon footprint.
However, before you embark on this journey, understanding the key components of a solar system is necessary for smooth operations. Here is what you will need.
Solar panels
Solar panels are the core part of any solar installation. They capture the sunlight and convert it into usable electricity. For this reason, the right capacity solar panels are pivotal so you make enough power to meet your power requirements. For high-quality solar panels with exceptional efficiency ratings, you can review BLUETTI solar panels.
Inverter
An inverter or solar generator is a device that converts DC current produced by solar panels to AC current to be used by home appliances. Its size will vary depending on your output power needs.
However, for a medium-sized house, BLUETTI AC300 could be a go-to solution. This unit has a 3000W output power and comes with a price match guarantee. This means if you find a lower-priced product of the same capacity than this, you can claim the extra amount within 30 days of your purchase.
Battery storage system
Solar panels produce power when sunlight is available. Thus, batteries are of prime importance to make a solar system that supplies power during night and low sunlight hours. They will store the extra power and release it when required.
When opting for batteries, the LiFePO4 type is recommended. They are safe, have high energy density, and do not have any environmental concerns associated with them. Additionally, look for their charge cycles. The more charge cycles a battery offers, the longer its lifespan.
BLUETTI batteries come with industry-leading lifespans. The minimum charge cycles offered are 3000+. This means with one charge cycle per day, the battery's shelf life will be more than 10 years. You can explore their vast range to choose what best fits your needs.
How Many Solar Panels You'll Need to Power Your House?
Determining the number of solar panels you will need to power your whole house depends on multiple factors and involves a little math crunch. To keep it simple, below is a step-by-step explanation.
Understanding your power consumption patterns
Before calculating how much power you will need, it's important to understand how much power you consume. To do this, you are recommended to check your monthly energy bills. The energy consumption is usually given at the bottom of the bill in kWh (Kilowatt hours).
As per the US Energy Information Administration, the average energy requirement of a common US household is around 893 kWh per month.
Check the availability of peak sun hours
The next step is to find the availability of peak sun hours in your area. This is the time when solar radiation is available at its maximum to be converted into electricity. This varies from place to place. For example, in Arizona, the monthly peak sun hours are 210, while in Massachusetts, this is around 135.
Below is a table that elaborates on peak sun hours in different regions of the US.
|
Area |
Per Day Peak Hours |
Per Month Peak Hours |
|
West |
4.3 |
129 |
|
Midwest |
4 |
120 |
|
South |
4.5 |
135 |
|
South East |
4.4 |
132 |
|
North East |
3.6 |
108 |
Calculating the number of solar panels required
You have the necessary information about how many peak sun hours you have and your energy requirements, it's easy now to calculate the number of solar panels required.
Check the production capacity of your solar panel. This usually ranges between 200-400 watts. Use the equation below to find the amount of energy produced by one solar panel.
Capacity of solar panel X Peak Hours = Energy produced in watt-hours
400 X 130 (average monthly peak hours) = 52000 wh
This is the amount of energy produced by a single solar panel in watt-hours. Divide it by 1000 to convert it into kWh. This will be 52kWh of electricity.
Now divide the monthly power requirements by energy produced by single solar panels and you will have the final number of solar panels required to power your whole house.
Total energy required (900 kWh) / Energy produced by one solar panel (52 kWh) = 18 Solar panels required.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in the USA?
The one-size-fits-all rule is not applicable when talking about the cost of solar panels. According to some rough estimates, the cost of a 6kWh system ranges between 8500$-30000%. It varies depending on your location, the type of solar panels, their efficiency, and power production capacity. Below is a brief explanation of these.
Location: This is an important co-efficient that significantly impacts the price of solar panels. This is due to the variations in the Federal Tax credits in each state. Additionally, in states with more demand for solar panels, their prices are slightly higher than in states with low demand.
Type of solar panels: Depending on their manufacturing, there are two types of solar panels commonly available in the market. This includes monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. Monocrystallines are more efficient in terms of energy production and thus have high prices.
Efficiency and power production capacity: The more the product capacity of a solar panel, the more price it will have. They come in multiple variables in terms of their power production capacity, which usually ranges between 200 and 400 watts. Solar panels even with more production capacity are available in the market, but their use is not ingrained.
Do You Need Home Batteries to Use with Solar Power?
The goal behind installing a solar setup could be different. You might be aiming to live completely off-grid or want to ensure a power backup during outages. Whatever the case, solar batteries are a must-have component of a solar installation to get continuous electricity.
Without batteries, you could only reap the benefits of the solar system for 4-6 hours, the average peak sun hour in the US. However, here are some important points you should consider when choosing a solar battery.
- The battery type should be LiFePO4, as it is safe, has high energy density, and offers extended lifespans.
- Solar batteries could have a high initial cost, so batteries with Federal Tax credits are more recommended to compensate for some of your money.
- Check for their guarantee, to ensure a piece of mind for 4-10 years, depending on their warranty period.
- Their power storage capacity should be enough to meet your daily power needs.
- They must be compatible with your new or existing solar setup.
Here are the two most viable battery options depending on the above-discussed criterion.
BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup
Whether you want to make a complete switch or partially rely on solar power, EP900 paired with B500 batteries is all you can search for. Below, we have listed some important highlights of this unit.
- Its Price Match Guarantee makes this the most low-priced system among all its competitors.
- Power output capacity of 9000W, compatible with 120V and 240V appliances.
- Pre-built battery storage of 9920Wh can be extended up to 19840Wh.
- 10 years warranty to secure your investments
- Its LiFePO4 battery is exceptional in every aspect, including safety, life span, reliability, and energy density.
- Due to its IP65 water-resistant protection, the unit could be installed indoors and outdoors.
- 30% off on upfront costs with Federal Tax Credit.
BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup
This unit could help you fulfill all your whole-house power needs. Here are some reasons why you should choose it.
- Extensive output capacity of 7600W to run all your home appliances simultaneously.
- The built-in battery storage capacity is 9920Wh. This will be enough to power your appliances for an extended period. Still, if not you can further boost the capacity with additional batteries.
- Its LiFePO4 battery has a Battery Management System (BMS) that ensures safety at high and low temperatures.
- It offers 4000+ charge cycles. This means a lifespan of more than 11 years with one charge cycle per day.
- Easy and smooth operation through BLUETTI smart app, Wifi, and Bluetooth.
- Industry-leading warranty of 10-plus years.
- Federal Tax Credit of 30%, giving you significant savings on your Upfront cost.
Is it Worth Using Solar Power to Run the House?
Solar panels are definitely a good option for running your whole house, regardless of your goal for their installation. With a climate threat looming around humanity, it's the moral duty of every individual to ensure a minimal carbon footprint.
But this is not the only case. By going solar, you can cultivate numerous other benefits down the road. Solar is the most viable option for traditional grid power. Although its initial cost may be high, it proves worth every penny in the long run.
Additionally, you will be energy-independent and will no longer rely on conventional grid power, thus having peace of mind against power outages. Further, by applying smart approaches, you can produce extra power through solar setups that can be sold to the grid to earn significant amounts of money.
Final Thoughts
With humanity’s phenomenal progress in technology, the idea of running your whole house on solar power is not only feasible but is gaining widespread popularity around the globe. However, the initial costs associated with this are still high but could be minimized with a thoughtful approach.
BLUETTI has a global reputation for offering the most reliable solar systems. Their solar panels paired with batteries and power stations are the most cost-effective and efficient units. So take a step further with BLUETTI towards a more sustainable, energy-independent future for your home.
