Along with computers, smartphones, and appliances, solar panels have taken their respective technology to the next level. As a result, you can reduce your monthly utility bills if you're using the right solar panels for your property's energy needs. However, what if you're using one huge energy-consuming appliance, such as an air-conditioning unit? Can you directly attach your solar panel to power that single appliance?
A short recap and briefing for anyone new to electrical engineering: Direct current (DC) is power with fluctuating frequencies. The raw output can damage appliances, and solar panels collect and produce these for appliances and other household electronics. DC to Alternate Current (AC) converters regulate the electrical flow (AC) for typical appliance use. Unless you have DC-rated appliances, you can attach solar panels directly to them. Fortunately, it's easy to find AC converters.
Leaving your solar panels right outside your window is counter-productive and reduces the overall property value of your home. Roofing solar installation teams, such as Roper Roofing and Solar, can create the necessary conduits and passages that ensure the power sources flawlessly connect with appliances or complement your existing power sources.
Additionally, your dependable Littleton, CO solar panel installation teams can install your solar panels with no damage to your roofing materials. Doing this ensures your roof is still in one piece despite supporting the solar panel's weight.
Sun Power Source talks about one more thing regarding solar-powered appliances: the right amount to achieve exceptional energy reduction. Read more about it below.
On the way to figuring out how much energy you require in total, determine how much power each of your appliances consume. Your power consumption is measured in watt-hours. So, you need to know the watts used by an appliance. It varies with each of the electric appliances. What is it’s size, type, time in use, and the technology of the device, etc. There are a couple of methods to know the wattage of an appliance.
You can check the wattage of an appliance near the AC power cord. This may be in amps or watts. If it is in amps, then knowing the house voltage; you use a simple formula:
Watts = Amps * Volts
If you don’t have enough time to make calculations and want quick answers, then another method is to use home appliance power consumption table for approximate figures or a Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor. It is an inexpensive device that monitors how much power your appliance uses.
Okay, you know how many watts are required to run an appliance. Now, determine how many hours each appliance will run each day. To calculate how much solar power do electric appliances need, check the consumption of an appliance over a period using a power consumption table or the power usage monitor. You multiply the power consumption by the hours of intended use. For instance, ignoring standby mode, your television screen consumes 20W per hour and is running for 2 hours. The total power consumption of you running your TV will be 40Wh per day.
So, how many watts does a fridge use per day when it is cycling on and off? It will depend on many factors so using a power consumption monitor is going to provide the most accurate answer. The total household consumption will then be matched to how many kWh the solar panels produce per day to know how many solar panels you need to install. (Continued)
Roper Roofing and Solar have decades of experience achieving the best results for all your roofing and solar panel installation needs. Contact us today!
