Solar Energy
How to Size a Solar System for Your Home in Kenya
A reliable home solar system should be designed around actual electricity demand rather than selected from an inverter package alone.
Start with the loads
List the appliances that need to run from the solar system and note their approximate power ratings. High-power appliances such as pumps, heaters, cookers and air conditioners can significantly affect inverter selection.
The next question is how long each appliance operates. Power tells us instantaneous demand, while operating time helps determine daily energy consumption.
- ●Lighting
- ●Televisions and electronics
- ●Refrigeration
- ●Water pumps
- ●Cooking appliances
- ●Air conditioning
- ●Office or workshop equipment
Inverter size and battery size are different calculations
The inverter must support the maximum load and starting surges. Battery capacity determines how much usable energy can be stored and therefore how long selected loads can operate when solar or grid power is unavailable.
A large inverter connected to insufficient battery storage will not automatically provide long backup time.
The solar array must replace the energy used
Solar panel capacity should be sized around expected daily energy demand, charging requirements, system losses and available solar production.
A good design also considers available roof area, orientation, shading, equipment limits and possible future expansion.
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