In a nutshell. While a solar system might potentially meet some of these energy needs, solar power is often best suited for powering electronic home appliances rather than a whole house.
Due to the sharp rise in energy costs over the past several months and years, many households are now searching for alternate, renewable energy sources.
A heightened awareness of the need to “go green” and steep energy costs, which have been made worse by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as an overall increase in living expenses, have put solar energy in the spotlight.
Since solar energy has been used for many years, you’ve probably noticed solar panels on the roofs of your neighbors’ homes or possibly heard someone mention that their home is powered by solar energy. But when it comes to making the jump and investing in solar panels, there is still some skepticism for many.
Can solar panels power a house using simply sunshine is one of the primary queries that many people have. Is it feasible to live off the grid? In a nation like the UK where it rains so regularly, can sunshine truly be a source of energy?
Let’s examine the responses to those queries as well as a few more factors.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
Solar energy operates in a rather simple manner. Simply explained, photovoltaic (pv) cells used in solar panels capture light particles (photons) to generate energy. When photons dislodge electrons from their atoms, electricity is produced.
An energy inverter converts the DC electricity produced by solar panels from solar energy into AC power.
It’s a very easy procedure. Once the energy is produced, it may be used to run appliances, items, and houses.
A household may still access energy sources even at night or inclement weather thanks to solar systems that can store excess electricity in the form of batteries. This makes it feasible for solar panels to power a home under all conditions.
Between 250 and 400 watts of power may be generated by a standard solar panel. The majority of solar panel installations in the UK use 8–12 panels. This type of solar panel installation may generate 2,450–3,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, depending on the location and how the panels are arranged.
Thanks to advancements in solar technology, solar panels have gone a long way since they first appeared on the market in 1954.
Even now, some residential and commercial structures are being built with solar power as a top priority in the building’s construction.
But the true question you have is…
Can Solar Panels Power My Own House on Their Own?
Solar panels can power a home to a certain extent. But can a house be powered entirely by solar energy from panels on the roof? That’s a slightly different question.
An typical home uses about 2,900 kWh of power a year in terms of energy. Depending on how many people live there and how many gadgets they use, different homes have different energy needs.
It also relies on additional elements like the insulation level of the building and whether the house runs entirely on electricity or on both electricity and gas.
Naturally, the time of day when the sun’s light is greatest and most potent is noon, when the majority of solar energy is generated.
In contrast, the typical household experiences its busiest periods of activity and highest levels of electricity use at breakfast and dinner.
Solar-powered houses would likely need to rely on energy saved in batteries at specific periods of the day because these surges in demand also require an equal level of energy supply.
Let’s examine more closely at how much energy is required to run commonplace appliances:
- 255 kWh per year for washing machines
- 175 kWh a year for an LCD TV
- 657 kWh per year for dishwashers
- 164 kWh in a kettle per year
- 109 kWh per year for toasters
- 182 kWh per year for hair dryers
- 300 kWh annually for computer monitor
While a solar system might potentially meet some of these energy needs, solar power is often best suited for powering electronic home appliances rather than a whole house.
That brings up the following query…
Can I Be Free of the Grid?
Living or working “off the grid” entails being more self-reliant and independent of governmental services. Typically, it refers to those who reside in rural places without access to things like running water, gas, or electricity. however in recent years, it has also started to apply to those who merely desire to be more energy self-sufficient.
These days, a lot of individuals desire to lessen their carbon impact and reliance on limited fossil resources while also gaining some degree of independence from the stipulations of all-powerful power suppliers. Who hasn’t seen a significant rise in their energy costs recently?
Due to the limitations of current technology, it is doubtful that you will be able to entirely disconnect from established utility providers, often known as “the grid.”
Solar power can power a home up to a certain extent, but the majority of solar power systems are still linked to the grid and function in tandem with it. Off-grid solar systems are quite rare.
But you can reduce your reliance on the grid and save money by using solar electricity.
When you have solar panels installed, you may still get electricity from your neighborhood regular utility provider when there is not enough solar power. These occurrences are, of course, declining in frequency as technology develops, and the ultimate objective is to be able to power buildings solely with solar energy. But for the time being, a coexistence of solar and grid power is required.
If you participate in net metering, you will earn credit on your energy bills for any extra electricity your solar panels produce that is sent back into the grid for usage.
The financial benefits that may be realized from installing a solar system in your home are substantial and depend on how much energy is used by the household.
When it comes to installing solar panels, some individuals need convincing, but the overall advantages are indisputable.
Do My Solar Panels Need to Be Under the Sun All the Time to Function?
The US Department of Energy claims that the sun provides the earth with more energy in a single hour than it does in a whole year. We are still working on methods to use that energy, though.
We have gone a long way, but it is still true that we still utilize grid electricity to supplement solar power as technology progresses.
Many people wrongly think that UK houses don’t get enough sunlight to properly benefit from solar electricity, however that issue has long since been rectified owing to battery storage technologies.
We already know that the morning and evening are typically when most homes consume the most energy.
Only when solar panels have enough energy stored can they power a dwelling. It goes without saying that they cannot collect energy at night, but they can store any energy generated during the day in batteries. By doing this, you can power your home appliances at any time of day or night and reduce your reliance on the grid.
We advise attempting to limit the amount of energy you use in the home by switching to less energy-hungry equipment and leading a less tech-heavy lifestyle in order to get the most out of your installed solar panels. The less energy you consume, the less probable it is that you will switch to grid power.
Why is Solar Energy Important?
We have all grown much more aware of environmental challenges and the need to lessen our carbon footprint over the past few decades. Knowing that solar panels can power a house, even if they’re used in conjunction with more conventional techniques, not only satisfies those aims of renewable energy efficiency, but it’s also a terrific way to be resourceful with money.
When it comes to powering the everyday items we have grown to rely on, solar panels can power an entire house, and that energy adds up. You’ll quickly see financial rewards from solar panels after making the first investment since your energy costs will drop. Furthermore, if you manage your energy consumption levels carefully, you could even be able to recover your whole investment.
You must be aware that home solar panel systems come in a wide variety of forms, sizes, construction types, and power outputs if you want to get the most out of your installation. Contact us right away to learn more about your solar power possibilities from a member of our knowledgeable staff.
