Can A House Run Solely On Solar Power?
Home solar is an emissions-free, sustainable, and renewable energy source, but can it cater to all of a home’s needs? Can a house run solely on solar power?
Undoubtedly, it will lower energy bills, improve the environment, and offer a reliable power source when the mainline is out. But is it a dependable solitary source of energy? Here are things to consider when it comes to solar energy management:
How Does Solar Power Work?
Solar power is energy from the sun that has been absorbed by solar panels then converted into electricity. The electricity is then used to light a home, power electric devices as well as heat water. In this sense, the main components of a solar power system are sunlight, solar panels, and inverters which convert solar energy into electricity.
Can Solar Power Light Up a Whole House?
The simple answer to this question is yes. However, many factors determine whether solar energy can light up a whole house. Here are a few of those factors:
Factors That Affect Whether a House Can Run Solely on Solar Power
- The Size of the House
Normally, energy needs differ from house to house. Larger houses normally require more energy than smaller houses. Therefore, for solar energy to run an entire house, the size of the house should be proportionate to the amount of energy produced by the existing solar power system.
- The Number and Size of Solar Panels
Solar panels are devices that harness sunlight and absorb its energy. Therefore, the more panels a system has, the greater the amount of energy harnessed. This means that to run a big house, more panels are needed.
On the other hand, a small house can be run by one or two solar panels. That said, always install the number of panels that match the energy requirements of a house.
- Availability of Sunlight
While solar power can run an entire house, it all depends on the exact location of the house. This is because houses located in some parts of the world do not have enough access to sunlight. For example, during winter, it is impossible to run an entire house using solar power.
On the other hand, during summer, most houses can run effectively using solar power. This means that a house with no access to sunlight cannot run on solar power no matter how big its solar power system is. Therefore, before installing an expensive solar power system in a house, always make sure that it is strategically located.
- Energy Consumption and Electrical Devices
Having a big house does not necessarily mean that a lot of energy is required to run it. While the bulbs and other lighting devices in a big house are many, lighting does not consume much energy. However, a house with a lot of electric appliances like cookers and water heaters is likely to consume more energy no matter its size.
This means that when trying to determine if solar power can run their whole house, homeowners have to think about what appliances they have. People with many energy-consuming appliances should invest in larger systems to run the home effectively. On the other hand, those with few or no appliances can do with a small or medium-sized solar power system.
- Size of Batteries
While solar energy is harnessed through panels, homeowners must invest in batteries to store energy. This energy is used at night or during rainy days when thereâs hardly any sunshine.
That said, the size of batteries determines whether the energy stored is enough to run an entire home when there is no sunlight. Homeowners with huge energy requirements should invest in large solar batteries to make sure that they are sorted even at night.
GCR Electrical Systems; a Reliable Solar Energy Specialist
While solar energy is cheap and can run an entire house, homeowners need a reliable expert like GCR Electrical Systems to install the system.
If you are looking for a trusted local solar company in Hervey Bay, please contact us today at GCR Electrical Systems on (07) 4120 7004 or leave an enquiry if you would like more information about our solar installation services.
