How many Panels would I need to make sure that I cover my 1600 kwH? I actually want to try and generate about 3000 so I can sell back to the grid.
I have a 6 kW system in northern California. It produces about 20 kWh per day. That is 600 kWh per month. I have 40 panels. In the same situation you would need 200 panels to get the 3000 kWh, and more than 100 to get the 1600.
I just checked my last SMECO bill: We (two adults, one dog, 4 computers) used 1073 kWh last month. (We're in southern Maryland. Everything in our townhome is electric.) IF I were trying to design a solar system for us I would probably look at a 2000 - 2400 kWh/month system: (You HAVE to have some reserve.) That being said: the reserve is in the batteries - and I believe you should have all you need- and a VERY good inverter, and a back-up inverter as soon as you can buy one. And, unless you live in Phoenix, I think it's a very costly solution. BUT I'M NOT UP TO DATE! In 1998 I moved to an island without power. At that time solar panels were too expensive 'though most attractive. Wind power was a real alternative - but it, too, was too expensive. I bought a 5kw diesel generator - and put-up with the starting and stopping, the broken fan belts, the oil changes all the crap associated with having an engine on your back but it served us well: We ran that offensive sucker about two hours a day, it fed our batteries (we had 12) and we lived operating table saws, microwaves, lights, from them. Well: Your supplier can tell you the daily production-per-panel for your latitude you can build-in your own safety factor (need 1600? plan on 2000?2400?) Maybe go a bit on the cheap right now and have a fairly inexpensive gas generator as cloudy day back-up? (Actually, the back-up generator is not a bad idea wherever you live. If you're building, wire it in!) Man! Talk about a lecture!
1 kWh is a 1000 watts. i don't think that you can generate that much with a personal PV system, nanosolar looks like an interesting product
It is easier if you will going to visit a number of solar panel company just to be sure that you have the right values. Some of them will give you a free solar panels quote. Compare and select options that will best work for your home and budget.
1600 kwH would be about 50 kwh per day (1600/32) so if the sun shined very nicely you would need about 150 kw capacity for an 8 hours of sun day or 200 kw for a 6 hour day. (24 hours in day / 6 of sun * 50 kwh per day) Your supply source or the weather bureau should be able to supply the number of sun hours at various times of the year and the capacity of various panels.
