How Much Solar Do You Need for Your Home in FL?

How Much Solar Do You Need For Your Home in FL?

If you've ever up at your neighbor's roof and wondered why so many are going solar, you're in the right place. Living in Florida is beyond beautiful beaches and vibrant communities; it means having the perfect opportunity to tap into the power of the sun for your home. If you call home anywhere from Sarasota to Charlotte County, and you've ever asked yourself "How much solar would I need for my home", we're here to help you understand exactly that and how much solar power it really takes to make your home energy efficient.

Understanding Your Home's Energy Needs

First things first, let's figure out how much energy your home uses. Grab your latest electricity bill or log on to your FPL account to find your monthly energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). In Florida, a typical house uses about 1,123 kWh each month, but it may be different for your home depending on factors like how many people are living in your home, if you have a pool, how efficient and insulated your home is and other lifestyle factors. Knowing this helps you determine how big a solar system you'll need.

Taking Advantage of the Florida Sun

One of the perks of living here is the generous amount of sunlight we get. With about five hours of prime solar conditions each day, it's like Florida is made for solar power. This crucial detail helps us calculate the size of the solar system needed to meet your energy needs. In an ideal scenario, you would receive maximum sunlight, however there are other factors to consider. Try using an irradiance chat to see exactly how much sunlight your roof is exposed to; this will let you know of any sunlight imperfections such as any shading or obstructions that is limiting the sun hours on your roof.

Putting Together Your Solar Plan

Now that we know your energy usage and how much sun we can work with, we can figure out the best solar setup for you. If your usage is around the average, a 7.5 kW solar system might just do the trick, ensuring your energy bill could drop to zero. All these factors come into play as you determine how many solar panels you will need for your home. Always remember, 'x' mount of solar panels will always equal 'x' amount of production based upon available sunlight. So just installing many panels won't always cover your consumption completely, it's important to study your usage.

Other things to consider would be your Utility companies regulations. For example, Florida Power and Light only allows homeowners to install a maximum of 115% offset of their current energy usage. For example, if you consumed 10,000 kWh in the last 12 months, FPL will only let you install a system that will deliver a maximum of 11,500 kWh per year.

Making Your Solar System Fit Your Life

Everyone's situation is different. Maybe you're aiming to cut your energy costs completely, or perhaps just by a bit. And if you're thinking about adding an electric vehicle or expanding your home, or growing your family, that will affect the type and size of the solar system you'll need. It's all about making sure your solar setup matches your future plans. The positive is that you can always add more panels if needed, after getting your home's energy consumption reassessed.

It's good to understand that you're never truly at a loss, even if you cannot completely cover your home's energy usage because no matter what, you get the benefit of paying that cheaper rate of that electricity for a portion of your bill. Better some than none!

Getting the Right Help!

Working with solar professionals can conveniently provide you with a detailed analysis of your solar needs, considering factors like your roof size and angle, shading, local weather patterns, and local electricity rates. But picking the right solar system isn't just about crunching numbers. It's also about considering how it fits with your home's look, your budget, and your desire to live more sustainably. That's why getting advice from experts can make a big difference. At Horizon Energy Solutions, we offer free consultations to help you make the best choice for your home.

Curious How Much Solar You Need for Your home?

Horizon Energy Solutions is here to help make your transition as seamless as possible. We encourage trying out our free solar calculator below for instant details for your home!

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Sources

[^1^]: [EIA: How much electricity does an American home use?](https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=97&t=3)

[^2^]: [Current Results: Sunshine State by State](https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/average-annual-sunshine-by-state.php)

[^3^]: [EnergySage: How many solar panels do I need?](https://www.energysage.com/solar/101/how-much-solar-do-i-need-my-house/)