The right photovoltaic system for a single-family home
The best tips for planning and what really matters
The use of solar energy is not only economically sensible but also an important step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living. The sun is an inexhaustible source of clean energy, and with a photovoltaic system, you can directly harness it for your household.
By doing so, you make a valuable contribution to the energy transition and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In times when climate change poses one of the greatest challenges, this is an aspect not to be underestimated.
The optimal photovoltaic system for a single-family home depends on various factors, including available roof space, household energy needs, budget, and legal framework.
Here are some important considerations:
Analyze electricity consumption
Determine your average annual electricity consumption to figure out how much solar power you need. You can use your electricity bills from the past few years for this.
Optimize self-consumption
Consider how much of the generated electricity you want to use directly to optimize self-consumption and save costs.
Determine energy requirements
The individual energy needs of the household are crucial. A photovoltaic system should be sized to cover a large portion or even the entire electricity demand of the household.
Calculate the size of the photovoltaic system:
Determine the output of the solar system using the rule of thumb that approximately 850-1,000 kWh per kWp per year can be generated.
Roof area of the house:
The available roof area significantly influences the size of the photovoltaic system. A larger roof area allows for the installation of more solar panels, resulting in higher energy production but also higher installation costs.
Orientation and tilt of the roof:
The orientation of the roof towards the sun and its tilt affect the efficiency of the photovoltaic system. Ideally, the roof should face south and have a tilt of approximately 30 to 45 degrees. Deviations from this can still work but may require a different setup.
Financial aspects:
Budget plays an important role in selecting the optimal photovoltaic system. The investment costs should be in reasonable proportion to the expected savings. You may also consider doing some of the work yourself to save costs.
Legal framework:
It is important to consider the current legal framework for photovoltaic systems, including incentive programs, feed-in tariffs, and any regulations regarding grid connection.
Storage options:
Integrating an energy storage system can be beneficial for storing self-generated solar power for self-consumption and increasing independence from the public grid.
Professional consultation and planning:
It is advisable to consult an energy advisor or a photovoltaic specialist to develop a customized solution for the single-family home that meets the individual needs and circumstances.
Requirements for photovoltaic systems for single-family homes
The use of solar energy for single-family homes offers significant potential. When planning a photovoltaic system for a single-family home with four people, an average consumption of about 4,000 to 5,000 kWh per year is assumed.
To cover this electricity demand at times, it is necessary to install a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 4–5 kilowatts peak (kWp). In many cases, it is even recommended to install a larger photovoltaic system. This allows surplus energy to be fed into the grid and compensated.
Adjusting the photovoltaic system to the current electricity consumption is crucial. Future purchases such as acquiring an electric car or buying energy-intensive electrical appliances should also be considered.
A properly sized solar system can not only cover your own electricity consumption and save costs but also make a significant contribution to environmental protection.
