Obtain performance estimates for grid-connected PV systems.
The PV Watt Photovoltaic Solar System Performance Calculator
Sizing A PV Array:
1. Determine what your KWh electric consumption is. Then match PV production to your electric consumption.
For example, if you consume 600 kilowatt-hours per month (KWh/month) and want to produce 100% of your
electricity with a PV system with no battery backup. Do this equation to calculate; 600 KWh/month x 12
months equals 7,200 KWh/year or approximately 20 KWh/day.
Most of the U.S. has 3.5 to 5 Sun Hours of solar input. This means that a 1 kilowatt AC PV system in a 4.5 Sun Hour region will produce 4.5 kilowatt-hours per day. 20 kWh/day divided by 4.5 sun hours equals 4.4 KW AC.
Go to "PVWATTS" at: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/
and enter your location, 4.4 KW, your roof tilt and orientation. See your monthly and annual estimated PV production for a 4.4 KW system or any other size system.
2. Match your PV array size to your roof space. You need full sun on your solar array all day (from at least 9am to 4pm). Trees, chimneys, vents and other buildings can block the sun or make array installation difficult. Square footage examples; 225 sq. ft. array (Qty of 32 - 70 Watt modules) / 140 sq. ft. array (Qty of 20 - 75 Watt modules).
3. Match your PV system cost to your budget. PV modules are about half of the total system cost. The other equipment you may need depending on your system configuration are mounting hardware, combiner boxes, disconnect switches, power center, charge controller, inverter, battery bank and wiring.
*Find out what State / Provincial or Federal Government incentives are available in your area.
How can you do your part to cut your share of annual emmissions of greenhouse gases?
Try the "One Less Tonne" tool below provided by "The Pembina Institute". This tool will show you simple
actions you can take at home and on the road, that in most cases will save you money at the same time!
Question: If I need 5KW for my house, do I choose a 5KW wind turbine?
Answer: You'll need to check the mean wind speed of your area. The tower height, terrain and location of the wind turbine will also dramatically affect the yield of the wind turbine.
If the wind speed for your area is more than 3m/s or 10.8km/h or 6.75mph for more than 3000 hours annually...
Congratulations!... You can enjoy the savings to use our wind turbines.
If not and you have enough sunshine in your area, then our Solar Panels may be a more suitable alternative for you.
The actual yield of the wind turbine depends on the wind speed in your area. If you have a mean wind speed bigger than 10m/s, you'll get the full benefit from the wind turbine. If you have a mean wind speed of 7m/s, you'll get roughly a 75% benefit from the wind turbine. Eg; 5000 Watt turbine: 75% benefit = 3750 Watts generated from the turbine.
*You can also choose a bigger wind turbine according to your budget. If you have a mean wind speed of less than 2m/s, a wind turbine may not be your best choice. You may consider solar power as a more suitable option.
You can also combine solar power with your wind turbine to fully meet the needs of your electricity consumption.
Question: How do you convert m/s to KM/H or MPH?
Answer: 1m/s = 3.6 KM/H = 2.25 MPH
Question: What if I can use both wind turbines and solar power in my area?
Answer: Because solar panels are more expensive than wind turbines, you should try to use as much wind power as
possible.
For a wind speed less than 4m/s (14.5km/h or 9mph)
>>> Use 90% solar and 10% wind.
For a wind speed more than 4m/s (14.5km/h or 9mph) but less than 5.36m/s (19.3km/h or 12mph)
>>> Use 50% solar and 50% wind.
For a wind speed more than 5.36m/s (19.3km/h or 12mph)
>>> Use 30% solar and 70% wind.
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