Energy prices are rising in the UK and electricity bills are higher than ever before. Solar panels have been growing in popularity over the years and there has never been a better time to make your home more sustainable. At Jewel Renewables, we install high yield, PV solar panels across Surrey. With a solar panel installation, homeowners can rely less on expensive electricity companies and begin powering their homes with solar energy. The Jewel experts have put together this solar energy guide, covering the household appliances that can be powered by solar panels and how you can get the most out of your installation.
How Much Power Do Solar Panels Make?
According to Ofgem, the average UK household uses approximately 7.9 kWh of electricity per day. A 2 - 3 bedroom house uses around 7.94kWh of electricity per day, whereas a larger home can use over 11.78kWh.
If you have a smart meter at home, you will be able to see exactly how much energy you are using from the National Grid. With solar panels installed, your home will convert solar energy into electricity that can be used to power several appliances at a time.
The majority of modern PV solar panels are capable of producing between 250 and 400 watts of energy per hour. On average, a single PV solar panel has a capacity of 1-4kWh.
The amount of solar power your panels can produce is influenced by the following factors:
- The number of solar panels in the installation
- The efficiency of the panels
- Solar panel size
- Materials used during manufacturing
- The panels position on the roof
- Trees/buildings casting shade over the panels
Home Appliances That Solar Panels Can Power
Solar panels are a worthwhile investment if you are trying to reduce your reliance on the National Grid and are looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle.
It can be possible to power your property using solar energy alone, but you will need to have enough highly efficient panels installed and closely monitor your electricity usage. The majority of home appliances can be powered by electricity created by solar panels as long as enough energy is being generated.
Here is a list of frequently used household appliances and their average energy consumption:
- Washing machine - 0.5 - 1.0 kWh per wash
- Dishwasher - 1.2 - 1.5 kWh per load
- Fridge - 408 kWh annually
- Electric oven - 1.56 kWh per use
- Kettle - 0.11 kWh per boil
- LCD TV - 0.21 kWh per hour
How To Make The Most of a Solar Panel Installation
Powering a modern home requires a lot of energy. It’s not just a case of remembering to turn the lights off to save money anymore. The 21st century lifestyle involves many electronic devices and several phones and games consoles can be charging at the same time in a family home - while dinner is cooking in the oven, there’s a load in the washing machine and the TV is on!
State-of-the-art solar panels can help you to cut regular electricity costs, but if you are hoping to become an ‘off grid’ household in the future, you need to be maximising the power created by your solar panels.
Here are our expert tips for getting the most benefit out of your solar panels:
• Reduce your overall power usage - It sounds simple, but even with solar panels installed you should still try to reduce your electricity consumption whenever possible. Keep lights off during the day, turn TVs and other appliances off at the socket and so on. There is no need to waste any precious solar energy that your panels have been busy generating.
• Use appliances during daylight hours - Solar panels offer peak performance during the day, when the sun is shining and being converted into electricity for your home. Yes, you can run appliances with solar power in the evening, but this only works if your system has created a surplus of energy and it’s been stored in a system for later use. Use your washing machine, dishwasher and other ‘heavy draw’ appliances during the day when your solar panels are generating the most energy.
• Install enough solar panels for your needs - If you want to see the big benefits of a solar powered home, it is important that you invest in the right amount of solar panels for your needs. For example, a three bedroom house will need approximately 10 solar panels to create sufficient levels of energy.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint With Jewel Renewables Solar Panels!
At Jewel Renewables, we install solar panels across Surrey and the surrounding areas. Our PV solar panels are manufactured to deliver a high yield in all weather conditions and are manufactured using cutting edge technology.
To discuss your solar panel installation, call the Jewel Renewables team on 01252 939 597. Alternatively, fill out our online contact form, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
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