Can a house run on solar power alone?

Yes, a house can run completely on solar power. Whether you can in your home depends on how much energy your solar panels produce and how much energy your household consumes in an average month. Most solar panels today produce 250 – 400 watts of power. If you install enough panels, you could power your home entirely by solar. And if you work with a contractor to install a high-end solar system, you might even be able to go off-grid, disconnecting from your area’s public power utility. Just be careful: Going off-grid can be expensive. Many homeowners who have solar arrays that can completely power their homes still remain connected to their local energy provider as a back-up.

Do I still have an electricity bill with solar panels?

If your home is connected to the public power grid, you’ll probably receive an electric bill even if you’ve installed solar panels. Most utility companies charge a monthly fee to all residences connected to the grid, even if they are relying heavily on alternative energy sources. You’ll also receive an electric bill if your solar panels don’t provide enough power to cover all the electricity your household consumes each month. But with solar panels, your electric bill should be lower than it would be if you were relying entirely on electricity from your local utility.

Are there disadvantages to powering a home with solar panels?

It’s important to also consider the negatives of these systems if you’re debating whether you should get solar panels . These disadvantages include the high initial cost of solar systems and their dependence on the weather. If your area does not receive much sunlight, your solar array might not produce as much power. You’ll also need enough roof space for your panels. If you need many panels, your roof might not be able to accommodate them. You can install solar panels in the land surrounding your home, but this can be an eyesore and you might not have enough land for the panels that you need.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?