A Wescom employee looking down and grabbing a tool to work on a nicely sized solar array

Going solar is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint! But how can you be sure that you’ve chosen the right solar system size?

Here are a few things you should keep in mind to help you decide what size solar system works for your family.

Define Your Solar Goals

The first thing you should do is state your defined solar goals. What is the solar goal you want to accomplish? Do you want to reduce or eliminate your energy bills? Do you want to reduce your carbon footprint? Once you know your goals, you’re ready to review your current energy usage.

Review Your Current Energy Usage

Next, you should review your current energy usage. Look over your current energy bills to see how much energy you and your family use every month. Knowing your monthly energy consumption will help you decide how much solar will is needed to meet your energy needs.

Consider Your Array’s Capabilities

Lastly, you’ll want to look at how much energy your solar system will generate once installed. For example, at a sunny location in Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin, your system would most likely generate an estimated 1,300-kilowatt hours (kWh) per year per kilowatt of solar installed. That means if you install a 10 KW solar array in that sun-filled area, you can produce up to 13,000 kWh in one year!

What You Need to Keep in Mind

According to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, utility companies have a “limit” on how much is paid back to you for the electricity you aren’t using. This means that even if you have a system that sells back to utility companies, there is a limit to how much can be sold.

In conclusion, making sure that you have the right size solar system ensures you’re making the most of your investment. By setting clear solar goals, checking your energy use, and considering your solar system’s capabilities, you can pick the right size solar system for you.  Going solar is a major decision, but with these suggestions, you can be confident that you’re making the best decision!

 

To learn about what solar means to Wescom, check out our YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/kAVjC9zfiBE

 

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions section on our Solar page here: https://wescominc.com/solar-installation/.

 

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