Can a house run on solar power alone?
La energia solar para el hogar es una gran alternativa para ahorrar en la boleta de luz, pero realmente Can a house run on solar power alone?
Can a house run on solar power alone?
Many people wonder if their home could run on solar power alone. In other words, disconnecting from the general electrical network to be responsible for self-producing all the energy that will be consumed in the home. The answer is yes, in most cases, but it depends on several factors and it is important to assess whether it is appropriate or not. We see it in more detail.
Can a house be supplied with solar energy?
Yes, it is possible to supply a house with solar energy and without the need to use the electricity grid. This is possible due to solar energy systems for isolated houses, however, in these cases the installation must be larger and, of course, it is essential to have batteries to be able to store the energy that will be used when it is at night or in the morning. unsunny days. However, you have to take into account whether this suits you or not, since the batteries are the most expensive parts of the self-consumption installation.
Dimension the cost of solar energy systems for isolated houses
As we said, the answer to the question we pose is affirmative. Now, it is important to measure what the costs will be, how long it will take for them to be amortized, and whether it is convenient for us to promote this independence from the general electricity grid. For this, it is essential to carry out a photovoltaic study first. Keep in mind that the most important parts of the isolated photovoltaic solar installation are the batteries, therefore, we must consider the type of battery to useand the amount of them. One of the most recommended options are lithium ones, although —of course— it depends on where the installation is going to take place.
They have a useful life of 11 to 15 years, more load capacity and a greater depth of discharge, although their price is higher than those of lead acid. These are the different types of solar batteries that you can find today and their characteristics.
To calculate the number of batteries you need in an isolated solar installation, you will also have to know the value of daily consumption. To do this, you must take into account how much the appliances that you always have connected consume, such as the refrigerator, the television, the light bulbs, the stoves to heat houses with solar energy, and the time of use of each one of them.
It is always recommended that you do the calculations above so as not to rush too much, so that you can use other appliances or electrical devices without complications. The next thing you should do is divide the daily consumption by the voltage of the battery bank to know what the necessary capacity is. Considering that the battery should not be discharged more than 50%, in most cases,
With this calculation we will obtain the capacity that a battery should have with one day of autonomy . In case of seeking a higher autonomy, the capacity must be multiplied by the days of autonomy that are being sought and obtain the ratio of necessary batteries. You can also look for batteries with a higher power, depending on what suits you best.
How to use solar energy at home?
Having solar energy systems for isolated houses allows us to be 100% self-sufficient and 0% polluting , but not only that, it also avoids any expense on the electricity bill and, of course, being able to take advantage of the energy generated at any time of the day. . Now, the use of solar energy should be based on our daily consumption, for this it is important to carry out the steps explained in the previous point.
When making this calculation, it is important to consider the electrical appliances that are always connected, such as the fridge or freezer, as well as those that you use daily or periodically, such as the television, the oven, the washing machine… It is important that you leave a margin enough to be able to face any unforeseen event, such as using a new appliance, charging the phone battery… or, for example, to heat the house with solar energy when the winter season arrives. Keep in mind that when heating the house with solar energy, the consumption of electricity generated will increase considerably.
Of course, when you have an isolated photovoltaic solar installation, it is also important that you bear in mind that there will be days in which the amount of light is not sufficient to generate the same amount of energy as in the previous days. It is important to consider this last point, pay attention especially to the winter season. The most recommended, as we explain in the next point, is that you have a generator.
The importance of the generator in a photovoltaic solar installation
The generator is a rotating electrical machine used to generate electricity by moving. These can be of various types, although the most common generators are those that run on gasoline. In general, a 1,000 Watt 4-stroke 2-liter gasoline generator usually offers a continuous autonomy of 4 hours, while a 1,000 Watt 2-stroke generator with 3 liters of diesel can last up to 6.5 continuous hours. .
Depending on the model, this device can offer some results or others. In an isolated solar installation, the generator is an essential piece to be used in case of need, for example, in long periods in which there is no sun —these days the electrical flow generated in the solar panels can be interrupted and it is necessary have extra support to be able to continue using electricity—.
It is important to note that generators can be self-starting or manual starting . In the first case, the machine will activate automatically when it detects that there is no charge in the batteries of the solar panels. Generators are a highly recommended option, likewise, when there are problems or some type of breakdown.
