3.5 KW Solar System Review of Energy Output, Size, and Electricity Savings
Solar Electric System Size:
- 20 solar panels
- 175 watts per solar panel
- Total System size 3.5 kw DC
Sunlight hours per day:
- 5 average sunlight hours per day during the year
- absolutely no shade from trees or other buildings
- angle to the sun is not ideal, however it does not affect the equation very much
Electricity Output and Production Amounts in Kilo Watt Hours (kWh)
- 14.875 kwh per day per year
- 450 kwh per month
Electricity Savings Each Month and Year with a 3.5 kWh solar system
- $120 of electricity savings per month
- about $$1500 of electricity savings on average per year which will increase as electricity becomes more expensive in the future
Expected Costs of 3.5kwh Solar system:
- average cost per watt = $7.50/watt
- Total Cost: $26,250 3.5kWh solar system
- Incentive amounts from solar federal tax credit of 30% = $7,875
- Net Solar Cost after tax credit: $18,375
- it is unknown what the local solar rebates were for this project
Video of the 3.5 kw Solar System on this California Home:
Pictures of this house with its 3.5 kw solar panels on the mounting system above the roof:
3.5 kw solar system above roof
Summary of Solar System:
This would be a very good long term investment into renewable energy sources such as solar, especially if this system qualified for the typical California solar rebate of $6,000-$8,000. As the electricity prices continue to rise in the state, it will turn into an even better investment for the future as well. The fact that the system is mounted above the roof of the house also ensures that there is absolutely no shade to worry about blocking the solar cells.
