Important things you need to know before buying your solar power system
If you’re interested in buying a solar power system for your home or office, you might have done some research to find out what kind of return to expect on your investment and come across some daunting terminology. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying all the benefits solar power has to offer! You can contact the experts and we’ll handle all the details, or keep reading to discover the simple truth behind the complex system of solar powered arrays.
What are kWp and kWh?
First, the ‘k’ simply stands for kilo, or 1000.
Watts (W) and kilowatts (kW) are the units used to measure the rate of energy transference. When you use electricity from the grid, your electricity company is charging you per kW of energy.
Watt peak (Wp) and kilowatt peak (kWp) are the maximum rates at which your solar power system can generate energy when they are working at peak performance. Basically, the higher a solar array’s kWp, the more energy it can produce for you.
And finally, Watt-hours (Wh) and kilowatt hours (kWh) are how we measure energy consumption over time. It may sound as though it’s describing the number of kW (kilowatts) you are using in an hour, but a kWh equals the amount of energy you’d use by keeping a 1 kW appliance running for an hour. For example, a 50 W lightbulb would take 20 hours to use 1000 W (or 1 kW) of energy. A 2000 W appliance would only take half an hour, so if it ran for an hour, you’d be consuming 2 kWh of energy.
In perfect conditions, a 410-watt solar panel will produce 410 Wh, or 2460 Wh (2.46 kWh) per six hours of sunlight. However,
What Output will my Solar System Produce?
It’s important to note that the actual output of your system will depend on several factors. Here are some of them.
Amount of Sunlight
It may seem obvious, but the more sunlight (or irradiance) available to your solar panels the more electricity they will produce. Solar panels also produce lots more electricity in places that generally have sunny climates. Luckily, Newcastle receives about 5.3 peak ‘sun hours’ per square meter, per day, on average through the year so your system will already have a huge advantage over the same one installed in Hobart. Our solar experts will work with you to calculate where to place your panels to maximise the amount of sunlight available. North facing roofs are usually best, but don’t worry if your only available space faces a different direction- even East or West facing panels can still produce about 80% of their rated power.
Characteristics of panel
The quality and number of solar cells in your panel will determine its efficacy. Look for the wattage of the panels you are interested in. The higher the wattage, the more electricity it can produce. If space is a limited resource for you, you’ll need the most efficient panels to produce the highest electricity yield.
Installation Details
Even a slight change in the angle of installation of your solar panels can mean a difference of 20% or more in the efficacy of your system. High quality mounted brackets will ensure correct angling to get more bang for your buck, with the bonus of allowing for the best air circulation to keep your panels cool and functioning at their best. In the long run, this can also reduce exposure to elements such as dust, shade or sand that can gather on your panels. These small details can make a huge difference, which is why it’s so important to consult solar experts.
Talk to the experts
As the price of solar power systems fall and the technology continues to improve, home and office installations are becoming increasingly popular. While its important to do your homework so you can understand exactly what you want, it’s not always easy to know which panels are right for you and how you’ll get the most out of them.
At Aztech Solar, we are happy to work with you to figure out your home’s power usage and listen to your needs before suggesting the right sort of solar system to meet your needs and space. Or, if you are keen, you could start designing your own solar system and we’ll give you a quote that could have it all up and running in as little as 10 days.
Contact us Today
Aztech Solar are your local solar and battery storage specialists for Newcastle and the Hunter. Our goal is to reduce your electricity bill by up to 80%, with the aim of cutting all electricity bills down to nothing. Call 1300 992 922 or email us info@aztechsolar.com.au and we’ll be happy to set you up with a free quote so you can start saving and move your home or office towards a more sustainable future.
