solar-panel-cost-efficiency | November 13, 2024
With the recent global shift towards a greener lifestyle, If you’ve been wondering about installing a solar system in your home in Kelowna, you’re on the right track! And we’ve got some great news for you. Kelowna’s sunny climate is excellent for solar panels, making it possible for homeowners to harness a decent amount of solar energy. To put it simply, an average solar system set up in BC can produce roughly 1,004 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) per kW of installed capacity each year. We’ve completed 100s of residential solar projects across Western Canada, so you can trust we’ve got our facts straight. Below, we’ll break it down in an easy way so you can understand how solar works and what this means for you, your home, and utility savings.
How Much Solar Power Can You Expect?
Small Solar System: A 5 kW system can generate around 5,020 kWh annually. That is a solid amount that could offset a significant chunk of your home’s electricity needs.
Medium Solar System: With 10 kW of solar panels, you’s be looking at roughly 10,040 kWh per year, which could cover the full electricity demands of an average household.
Large Solar System: If you’ve got a larger home or higher than average energy needs, a 15kW system might be perfect, generating about 15,060 kWh of solar energy annually.
What Can Impact Your Solar Energy Output?
Now that we’ve touched on how much energy your solar system can potentially generate based on its size, let’s go through some factors that can make a difference in how much energy your solar panels produce. Here are the main points you need to know:
Solar Panel Angle and Direction: In Kelowna, the ideal set up features panels tilted at a 42° angle and facing south. This positioning lets the panels soak up the most sunlight as it beams down on us throughout the day.
Shade: Trees, nearby buildings, or even architectural elements of your home can cast shadows on your panels, reducing energy production. But don’t worry—our team at Future West Solar uses world class 3D modelling software to map out the best placements for your solar panels, ensuring those shadows don’t steal your sunshine!
Seasonal Changes: Solar production is at its peak during summer months, thanks to those long sunny days, but it naturally dips in the winter. However, lucky for you even in colder months, your panels don’t get a festive break, they still generate solar energy but just at a slightly reduced rate of efficiency.
We’ve covered all of the above factors in detail in our past blog: Is Your Home Suitable for Solar Panels? Evaluating Homes in the Fraser Valley & Okanagan? Check it out for everything you need to know to ensure your home is prepped for solar energy generation.
Net Metering in BC
Here’s where we’ll go over how your utility-bill savings actually come into play. British Columbia offers a Net Metering Program that allows homeowners to send any excess energy that their solar panels generate back to the public grid. In return, you are eligible to earn credits that can be applied to future energy bills, in the event that you need to rely on traditional energy sources to power your home. Over time, these credits accumulate, helping you save more as the years pass by.
The Bottom Line
Solar power is Kelowna provides you with the best win-win solution, not only does it help the environment, but it can also cover a major part (or, in some cases, all!) of your home’s energy needs.
Future West Solar has over two decades of experience in its arsenal, we can help choose the right solar system size for your home, ensure optimal panel placement, expert solar panel installation, and process your net metering application. All of this will allow you to make the most out of solar energy in BC. If we’ve sparked your interest, let’s chat! We’re ready to bring solar power to your home in the Okanagan, Fraser Valley or Calgary regions, and help you live a greener life.
Future West Solar has helped hundreds of homeowners across Western Canada; you can be one of our happy customers, too! We’ve got a team of solar experts with over two decades of experience in the industry, so you’re in good hands. Thinking of running on sunshine? Contact us today, and we’ll ensure a hassle-free experience.