Can Solar Power Your Whole House?
Solar panels can produce a lot of electricity, but do they produce enough to power your entire house?
The answer is yes—with the right system in place, you can power your entire home with solar energy.
Let’s explore how a properly sized residential solar power system, coupled with adequate battery storage, can meet all your energy needs.
Key Considerations for Whole-House Solar Power
Thanks to advancements in solar generation and storage technology, it’s entirely possible to power your whole house with solar panels. But there are a few factors you need to consider when installing a whole-house solar system:
- System size and electricity consumption
- Solar panel efficiency and placement
- Solar battery storage
1. System Size & Electricity Consumption
If you want to power your whole house with solar energy, accurate system sizing is essential. The size of your solar panel system impacts the amount of electricity it can produce. If you go too small, you won’t be able to generate enough electricity to cover your usage. But if you go too big, you’ll waste money on an oversized installation. So, finding the right size is a careful balance.
When sizing a whole-house solar system, we aim to match the system size with your household’s electricity consumption by analyzing the past 12 months of your electricity bills. We’ll also talk to you about home upgrades that could increase your usage, like a heat pump or an EV charger. If you’re planning to install new appliances like these, we’ll account for the increase in your system’s design.
2. Solar Panel Efficiency & Placement
Every ounce of electricity generation matters when you’re trying to power your whole house with solar. Installing high-efficiency solar panels and ensuring that their placement is optimal for sunlight access will help you squeeze more electricity out of your panels. We are experts in panel placement and can design a system that optimizes sunlight access while prioritizing aesthetics so you can have a whole-home solar system that looks just as good as it performs.
3. Solar Battery Storage
Last but certainly not least is battery storage. If you want whole-home solar power, you need a battery system. Batteries store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy days. Without sufficient storage, you will have to rely on the grid at night.
Off-Grid vs Grid-Tied Whole-Home Solar
Most solar panel systems are grid-tied, which means they’re connected to the main electric grid. Even if your system is designed to power your whole house, the grid connection is a fail-safe that ensures you always have access to power even if a problem arises.
But the electricity grid is becoming increasingly unstable and a lot of homeowners are seeking out alternatives. Off-grid solar is a great option that can completely eliminate your reliance on your utility company. With an off-grid system, you are not connected to the electric grid and cannot buy power from it.
However, going off-grid requires careful planning to ensure you have enough storage capacity and backup solutions for periods of extended cloudy weather. We specialize in designing off-grid systems that incorporate solar panels, battery storage, and backup generators to provide complete energy autonomy. We assess your location, energy usage, and backup requirements to create a system that keeps you powered no matter what.
Install Whole-House Solar Power in Arizona
One of the standout features of SouthFace Solar & Electric is our commitment to fully custom solar energy systems. Every home and family has unique energy needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Our team works closely with you to design a solar power system tailored to your specific requirements.
From the initial consultation to the final installation, we ensure that your system is optimized for performance and efficiency. We take into account your current and future energy needs, potential for energy savings, and even your aesthetic preferences to create a solution that not only powers your home but also adds value to your property.
