Off-Grid System Sizes

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Off-Grid System Sizes

How To Size An Off-Grid Solar Power System Correctly

Solar power designers require detailed information about your daily power use. This is to ensure that the solar power system being installed will be right the fit for your home or business.

They need to know all of the appliances in the household that will be running from day to day, and the wattage of each appliance.

Solar power designers estimate the sun hours your location will receive in summer, along with the sunshine hours during the peak of winter. Also factored in are miscellaneous considerations, such as shade etc.

Engineers use the same information; this allows them to design a system size that will give you enough power for the shortest day of winter. 

Should you require it, and depending on your budget, you could increase the recommended system size to have extra power; useful if you ever have visitors or a large family/business.

Below are examples of common system sizes, and what they could potentially power. 

Please note this is a rough guide, we recommend a system size developed to your specific power requirements.

Example Off-Grid System Sizes

2kWh Off-Grid Solar Power System

The 2kW name means you'd be able to use up to 2kWh's of stored solar power every day.
Solar Panels: 4x 260W
Inverter: 3kW inverter size
Batteries: 860ah, 24 volt batteries
Price: roughly $13,500 installed, inc GST.
Example power usage: A fridge, 4 LED lights, a cell phone and laptop charger.

3.5kWh Off-Grid Solar Power System

Solar Panels: 6x 260W
Inverter: 3kW inverter size
Batteries: 1320ah 24 volt batteries
Price : roughly $20,000 installed, inc GST.
Example power usage:  This system could power a small home; A fridge, LED lights, washing machine, TV, water pump, kitchen appliances and smaller items, such as a power tool for work around the home.

5.5kWh Off-Grid Solar Power System

Solar Panels: 9x 260W
Inverter: 5kW inverter size
Batteries: 1025ah 48 volt batteries
Price: roughly $34,000 installed, inc GST.
Example power usage:  This system could power the average New Zealand household. Fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, led lights, TV, computer, fresh water pump and kitchen appliances could all be easily powered by this system.

8kWh Off-Grid Solar Power System

Solar Panels: 15x 260W
Inverter: 5kW inverter size
Batteries: 1,750ah 48 volt batteries
Price: roughly $50,000 installed, inc GST.
Example power usage: This system could power the average New Zealand household. Fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, led lights, TV, computer, fresh water pump and kitchen appliances could all be easily powered by this system.

The example off-grid solar power systems sizes are from Solar Electric Technology Thanks for the share!