With a solar system, homeowners can not only do something for the environment, but they also make themselves independent of rising electricity prices at the same time. Now that the feed-in tariff has been reduced several times, the focus is increasingly on self-consumption. Those who produce solar power themselves can significantly reduce their electricity costs by using a solar power supply with LiFePO4 battery in the long term. The use of modern solar storage systems and intelligent energy management can cover up to 80 percent of self-consumption.
How Does The Electricity Get Into The Socket?
The central element of a solar system for single-family homes are the solar modules. These convert the sun’s rays into energy. In single-family homes, the modules are permanently exposed to weather and other environmental influences, which makes regular cleaning and maintenance necessary. In terms of performance and service life, it is primarily the quality of the solar modules that counts. Please also read our advice article on the subject of solar system testing.
In addition to the solar modules, the power inverter has an important function. This converts the generated direct current into an alternating current. Subsequently, the electricity can either be consumed directly, stored, or fed into the public grid. With an energy management system, production and consumption can be managed individually. Unneeded energy is stored and fed into the public grid when the solar storage is full. If more power is needed than is available, it can be purchased from the grid operator. You can find out more about this in the article “How does a solar system work.”
Correct Sizing Of The Solar Modules
It is always important to properly size the solar system for the family house. When planning, the following factors are particularly important:
- available roof area
- desired yield
- size and number of solar modules
The first step is to calculate the buildable roof area. This is done most quickly with the help of the construction plan. If this is no longer available, you can, of course, measure the area yourself. Special laser measuring devices are recommended for this purpose, which can be borrowed from DIY stores, for example. Alternatively, an installation company can be commissioned with the measurement. Once the available roof area has been determined, the possible number of solar modules can be easily calculated. The result can then be used to determine the possible output in kilowatts peak (kWp).
A family of four consumes an average of 4,000 kWh per year. In this country, between 800 and 950 kWh of electricity can be produced per kWp. A roof area of 8 to 10 m² is required for one kWp. To meet the energy demand of 4,000 kWh, five solar modules with an output of 1 kWp each would therefore be required. For five solar modules, an area of approximately 50 m² is required.
Cost Of A Solar System For A Single-Family House
The costs of an off-grid solar system are made up of several factors. Around 85 percent is made up of the material costs for solar modules, inverters, mounting systems, solar cables, and the remaining components. The remaining 15 percent is made up of the installation costs.
Depending on the size of a single-family home, the purchase costs can range from 5,000 to 15,000 euros. Due to the decreasing feed-in tariffs, self-consumption is becoming more and more worthwhile. To cover the entire electricity demand for a single-family house, a solar system with a 5 kWp output is usually sufficient. In many states, you have several opportunities that allow homeowners to invest in renewable energy, such as in Florida, where there are Solar loans and PACE and PPAs programs. Options for solar financing in South Florida are designed to make it easier and more accessible for more people to invest in renewable energy.
The Cost Of Solar Panels For The House
The purchase of solar modules makes up the largest part of the cost of materials. The individual modules form solar generators, which are used to generate electricity through solar radiation. There are different variants, such as thin-film modules, monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules, which all have special properties. Prices range from 1.00 Euro to 1.45 Euro per watt peak, depending on the supplier and model. For a single-family home with 5 kWp output, this means that between 5,000 euros and 7,250 euros are due for the modules.
Costs For The Inverter
In order to be able to use the electricity, an inverter is required. This converts the generated direct current into an alternating current. This can be used to operate household appliances, and electricity that is not needed can be fed into the public grid. The cost of solar inverters is between 400 and 2,000 euros and accounts for about 10 percent of the purchase price.
Single-Family House: Costs For The Installation Of The Solar System
The installation costs range from 120 euros to 180 euros per kWp of installed capacity. For flat roofs, it is somewhat more expensive at about 250 euros per kWp. In any case, the installation should be carried out by a specialist company. This ensures that the modules are fastened in a storm-proof manner and that the connections are wired correctly. For a single-family house with a 5 kWp installed capacity, the costs for the installation of the solar system are approximately 600 to 900 euros.
Costs For An Optional Electricity Storage System
More and more homeowners are also opting to install an electricity storage system. In this way, self-consumption can be increased, resulting in a lower electricity bill. Less electricity then has to be purchased at expensive prices. The purchase costs for an electricity storage unit are currently still between 6,000 and 15,000 euros. However, there is a KfW subsidy that can reduce the cost of a 5 kWp system by about 3,000 euros.
Running Costs For The Solar System In The Single-Family House
In addition to the initial costs, the ongoing operating costs should also be taken into account during planning. These consist of maintenance, insurance, and metering costs.
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that the solar system delivers optimum performance at all times. During maintenance, dirt is removed, the damage is repaired, and the correct mounting is checked. The costs amount to about 100 euros per year.
Insurance of the solar plant is also recommendable. In addition to liability insurance as an operator, risks insurance makes sense. This protects against consequential costs due to hail or other storm damage. In order to determine the feed-in tariff, the installation of an appropriate meter is necessary. This can be rented for around 40 euros per year.
What Is The Payback Period For The Solar System In The Home?
As already mentioned, the installation of the solar system is associated with some costs. For homeowners, it is, therefore, interesting to know in what period of time these are amortized. Provided that the exact figures for expenses and income are available, the calculation is relatively simple.
On The Expenditure Side To Consider:
Investment costs for purchase and installation
Ongoing costs for maintenance, meters, insurance, and repairs
In the case of financing, interest costs incurred
Then The Income Is Compared:
Feed-in tariff from the expected electricity yield
Savings on the electricity price
Possible subsidies from states and municipalities
For the installation of a 5 kWp solar system with a purchase price of 9,400 euros, the following times can be assumed, depending on the financing option:
Self-financing: 9 years
50 percent debt financing: 10 years
100 percent external financing: 11 years
No electricity storage was taken into account in the calculation. If a storage tank is installed, the period is extended by up to 10 years.
Your Questions – Experts Answer
If you’re thinking about going solar power system, Before considering where to get suitable solar panel sales, you’ll probably have some questions, including the number of solar panels you’ll need to power your property. Generally, the average solar system for a home consists of 20 to 25 panels, but the exact number you need will depend on numerous factors, including where you live, how much energy you typically use, and how much electricity your panels can generate. It may seem like a lot to consider, but it’s pretty simple when you break it down if you need to check more information about how many solar panels you need to power your home, as well as an example of how to calculate the size of your system. Just call Renogy or send us an e-mail. We will be happy to explain the details and work out a concept tailored to your needs.
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