This is a common question we receive from people who are looking into solar. Contrary to popular belief, how much solar you need is not dependent on your home size; instead the most important initial sizing factor is how much power is being used in your home.
READ: Solar System Sizing Myths
The “average” American home uses 830 kwh of electricity per month. But that number doesn’t mean much to your solar installer – remember, averages are just adding together the available bills and dividing by the number of homes. An average number doesn’t account for your region, electrical usage, habits, priorities, base fees and taxes, or your power needs.
There are also other variables when it comes to determining your perfect solar system size and because of this, it is difficult to size a system without at least some analysis. We need to know how much roof space you have, how much light hits the side of your roof where panels will go, and what your current electrical service is. Two identical homes next door to each other can have very different power needs based on the people and activities going on inside them. All of these things impact the design of your solar system, and can’t be accounted for without looking at your annual electrical usage or doing a detailed analysis of all of the electricity using items in your home. A skilled solar system designer looks at your electrical information, then takes into consideration your available roof space, your budget considerations, local regulations, and utility policies, to design the best system to meet your goals.
Solar power systems should always be tailored to the individual home or business; and you should be wary of cookie-cutter system proposals. At Fire Mountain Solar, we put a lot of analysis and care into each proposal because we know that every home’s needs and each homeowner’s goals are different.
Connect with FMS
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google + Email
Navigation
All Learn Categories
Getting Started With Solar Solar System Types
Getting a Solar Quote
Solar Equipment Basics
Solar System Sizing
How Much Does a Solar System Cost?
DIY Solar Getting a DIY Solar Kit Quote
How Much Does DIY Solar Cost?
Grid Tie Solar Getting a Grid Tie Solar Quote
Grid Tie Solar Equipment Basics
Grid Tie Solar Design
How Much Does a Grid Tie Solar Cost?
Off Grid Solar Getting an Off Grid Solar Quote
Off Grid Solar Equipment Basics
Off Grid Solar Design
How Much Does Off Grid Solar Cost?
Maintaining Your Off Grid Solar System
Solar With Battery Backup (Grid Hybrid Solar) Getting a Quote for Grid Hybrid Solar
Grid Hybrid Solar Design
Grid Hybrid Solar Equipment Basics
How Much Does Grid Hybrid Solar Cost?
Cost, Incentives, and Taxes
Solar Equipment OutBack Power Technical Support
Solar Batteries
Solar Equipment for Different Uses
Solar Equipment Maintenance
Solar Panel Racking
Solar Panels, Inverters, and More
Solar System Design and Installation General Solar System Design
Grid Tie Solar With Batteries
Grid Tie Solar System Design
Off Grid Solar Systems
Mobile & Tiny Home Solar
Solar Systems – Solar Panel Racking
Solar Tools and Resources
Solar Consumer Protection
News & General Information
Project Information Form
Services
Consulting & Design
DIY Solar
Full Service Installation
about us
About Us
Our Team
Project Gallery
Testimonials
Privacy
Text Message Policy
Contact Us
Site Map
Policies
Shop
DIY Kits
Batteries
Charge Controllers
Enclosures & Electrical
Monitors & Meters
Project Information Form
Power Inverters
Solar Mounts & Racking
Solar Panels
Learn
All Categories
Getting Started With Solar
DIY Solar
Grid Tie Solar
Off Grid Solar
Solar With Battery Backup (Grid Hybrid Solar)
Cost, Incentives, and Taxes
Solar Equipment
Solar System Design and Installation
Solar Tools and Resources
Solar Consumer Protection
News & General Information
Office
ADDRESS: 18388 Periwinkle Lane, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
PHONE: (360) 422-5610
EMAIL: [email protected]
BUSINESS DAYS/HOURS: Mon - Fri / 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Facebook Instagram Linkedin
© Fire Mountain Solar, LLC . All Rights Reserved Site Maintained by Bower Solutions.
home
categories
account
0 cart
Main Menu
Top Navigation
Solutions
Learn
About Us
Shop
Contact For Free Consultation or Request a Quote