- Jun 6, 2002
- 19,815
- 3,756
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
Been studying what it would take to convert totally to solar power. This is for the possibility of a complete breakdown of the power gird for a long period of time
Consider from Forbes:
Mathematical Formula to Determine How Many Solar Panels You Need
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates the average household consumes about 11,000 kWh of electricity per year.
Here’s the actual formula used by EnergySage to determine how many solar panels you’ll need:
It is possible to go completely off-grid using energy from solar panels; however, this is a significant time and financial investment. You will likely need more solar panels if you’re planning to run your home strictly on solar panels.
(How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Power A House? – Forbes Advisor)
The several places I have checked estimate a cost of $12,000 to $30,000 for the system and the installation. I live in the south of the US, so the cost would be on the lower end of that estimate. I have a high oak tree sitting on the south side of our house, so that would have to go. That would add several thousand to the cost.
Still looking.
Sounds expensive, but in a long-term grid-down situation, it would be invaluable. This is true for many prepper situations. How valuable are food preps (that are expensive now) going to be 6 months into a semi-famine situation? Priceless.
Thoughts?
Consider from Forbes:
Mathematical Formula to Determine How Many Solar Panels You Need
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates the average household consumes about 11,000 kWh of electricity per year.
Here’s the actual formula used by EnergySage to determine how many solar panels you’ll need:
- Number of panels = system size / production ratio / panel wattage
- Using the numbers we’ve determined so far, we get:
- Number of panels = 11,000 kW / 1.6 / 300 W
It is possible to go completely off-grid using energy from solar panels; however, this is a significant time and financial investment. You will likely need more solar panels if you’re planning to run your home strictly on solar panels.
(How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Power A House? – Forbes Advisor)
The several places I have checked estimate a cost of $12,000 to $30,000 for the system and the installation. I live in the south of the US, so the cost would be on the lower end of that estimate. I have a high oak tree sitting on the south side of our house, so that would have to go. That would add several thousand to the cost.
Still looking.
Sounds expensive, but in a long-term grid-down situation, it would be invaluable. This is true for many prepper situations. How valuable are food preps (that are expensive now) going to be 6 months into a semi-famine situation? Priceless.
Thoughts?