Can I run my whole house on solar power?

With the sun delivering an awe-inspiring amount of energy to the earth on an almost hourly basis, it stands to reason that solar energy can indeed power an entire house. Let’s take a deep dive into how exactly this happens and how you can make estimated solar calculations at home.

Owning a house that runs entirely on solar power is most definitely a possibility! With the help of solar panels and solar batteries, making your home a solar-powered property has never been cheaper. The cost of installing a solar energy system has dropped drastically in the past 20 years because of the fast improvements in technology. Even though it may be cheaper than ever, there are still a few necessities to make this dream of running your home on solar power alone, a reality.

First, you will need to understand how much energy you use on average per month.

This will allow you and your contractor to know how much energy your panels may need to generate to keep your home powered throughout the month. When considering the amount of energy generated by your panels, it is also smart to understand that some months may be better than others for generating power. This is where solar batteries can play a crucial role.

When the sun doesn’t shine as bright or as long as usual, it is good to utilize your solar batteries. Solar batteries allow users to store excess energy gained on those long sunny days to be used later. This is key because if you have no energy stored, you will be required to use energy from the grid to power your home.

Secondly, the climate you reside in also plays a crucial role in making this dream a reality. If you live in a cold, cloudy place, it may be more challenging to run your home entirely on solar.

Third, the surrounding trees and houses located near your home. These can hinder the amount of energy that your solar panels can generate throughout the day. If you have a huge tree blocking your panels for a third of the day, this can drastically change the amount of energy stored.

Don’t let any of these three factors scare you away because running your home on solar alone has never been easier. With the help of solar estimators and countless numbers of installations in your general area, solar contractors understand the ins and outs of what may be needed to allow you to make this leap to solar energy. 

The key to this possibility is the number of panels and solar batteries installed on your home. The critical part is the use of solar batteries; without a battery, no excess energy can be stored to use later.

For many homeowners, 100% coverage using solar energy is a reasonable goal. As long as your property is suitable for the size solar system you need, you should be able to completely offset your energy usage with solar.

If you want to power your home with only solar panels, you need to plan it through. Do a power audit for your home to determine your consumption. Once you have an idea of your usage, find the best solar power system, and invest in a solar battery. Looking for an expert solar installation for your home? Let Aztek Solar do it for you. Aztek Solar’s line of solar products is here to give you the best solar choices for you and your family!

Thanks for reading!

Brian McKay
Owner, Aztek Solar Ltd aka The Solar Guy