Calculate the perfect system size for your actual consumption.
Sizing a solar system isn't just about covering 100% of your bill; it's about optimizing for self-consumption. A system that is too small leaves you exposed to high grid prices. A system that is too large might produce excess energy that you sell back to the grid for pennies (depending on your net metering policies). The 'sweet spot' is typically a system that covers your daytime usage and generates enough credits to offset a significant portion of your night usage, without drastically oversizing. This tool uses local sun-hour data to find that balance.
It is often better to slightly oversize your system (e.g., by 10-20%) to account for cloudy days, winter months, and future panel degradation. Inverter 'clipping' in the summer is a small price to pay for ensuring you have enough power during the darker months of the year. Modern inverters are designed to handle this, maximizing your total annual production per dollar spent.
Calculate how many panels you need based on your consumption.
