Are Residential Solar Energy Systems an Option for Dreary Cities?
Many homeowners are showing an increased interest in residential solar energy systems. However, most homeowners are still not sure how effective these systems can be. In particular, they are not sure about whether or not these systems are effective in cloudy climates.
There are two factors that affect how much energy a solar system can produce: the amount of sunlight and the amount of open roof space. Essentially, when a system has ample amounts of open roof space and ample amounts of sunlight, it can produce more energy. However, that does not mean that residential solar energy systems are ineffective in cloudy climates.
A sunny place like Los Angeles, California sees an average of five and a half hours of sunlight per day. In contrast, a cloudy place like Hamburg, Germany sees only two and a half hours of sunlight per day, on average. That difference has a direct impact on the amount of solar energy that can be produced. In general, a one-kilowatt system can create about 1,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) every year in a place with a lot of sunlight. The same system can only create about 750 kWh in a place that is particularly cloudy.
However, most residential systems are larger than one kilowatt. The average residential system is anywhere from three to ten kilowatts. Thus, in a cloudy city, you would be able to create anywhere from 2,250 to 7,500 kilowatt hours per year. That is the equivalent of 187.5 to 625 kilowatt hours per month.
This is less than half of the energy that you would get in a sunny climate. However, it is still worthwhile. The average American household uses about 920 kilowatt hours per month. Thus, even in a cloudy climate, you could create anywhere from a fifth to two thirds of your monthly energy needs. Of course, if you use less energy than average, you may be able to offset your entire bill.
Whether you live in a sunny climate or a dreary one, residential solar energy systems have the potential to offer you a lot of value. However, each home is different, and to ascertain if your needs would be met by a system, you should speak with a consultant from Burnham Nationwide. They will be able to provide you with an in depth analysis about the cost of installing a system and how it could potentially offset your current energy usage.
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Tags: residential solar, residential solar energy systems, Solar Energy, Solar Industry