Installing solar panels on your home can significantly reduce your electricity bills. With the right solar panel system and smart energy-saving hacks, you can easily cut your electric bill in half or more. Here’s how I was able to dramatically slash my power bills by using solar and other clever tricks.
Calculate Your Electricity Usage
The first step is understanding your current electricity usage. This will help determine what size solar system you need.
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Monitor your monthly electric bills to see how many kWh you use. Calculate the annual total.
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Use an energy audit device to track real-time consumption of appliances and devices. This reveals the electricity hogs.
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Check your utility's website for a breakdown of your usage by hour. See when peak demand is.
Knowing your hourly and seasonal consumption patterns allows properly sizing a solar system to match your needs. I found my peak usage was in the evenings so a west-facing solar array was best.
Size Your Solar Panel System
Once you know your electricity appetite, you can determine how many solar panels are needed.
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As a rule of thumb, you need about 15 solar panels per household member to offset average usage.
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Use an online solar calculator to enter your location and electricity needs. It will suggest the ideal system size.
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Get quotes from 3-4 solar installers for different sized panel systems. Compare the annual output to your current usage.
I used a solar calculator and got quotes for a 6 kW system to cover my 4-person household's usage. The 20 panel 6 kW system offset about 90% of our annual electric needs.
Choose High-Efficiency Solar Panels
Solar panels vary widely in terms of efficiency and power output. High-efficiency panels will produce more electricity from the same amount of roof space.
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Monocrystalline silicon panels are the most efficient, with efficiency ratings of 17-22%.
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Polycrystalline panels rate slightly lower at 15-18% efficiency.
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Amorphous thin-film panels are the least efficient at 6-8%.
I opted for high-end SunPower X-Series panels rated at 22% efficiency. Although more expensive, they generate 60% more power per square foot than cheap panels.
Install Solar Trackers
Solar trackers mechanically move your panels to follow the sun throughout the day. This exposes them directly to sunlight, increasing energy production.
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Single-axis trackers that tilt panels east to west boost output by about 25%.
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Dual-axis trackers that also angle north to south can raise production by 35%.
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Trackers may not be cost-effective if you have fixed south-facing panels that already get full sun.
I added single-axis trackers that follow the sun east to west. Even though my panels face south, the trackers increased energy generation by 20%, well worth the extra cost.
Use Microinverters
Microinverters are small inverters installed on each solar panel, instead of a single large inverter for the whole array. This can maximize efficiency.
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Microinverters allow individual panels to operate at peak power point tracking (MPPT).
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If shade or debris covers one panel, the rest still run at full output.
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Monitoring at the panel level also quickly alerts you to any underperforming panels.
I opted for Enphase microinverters when installing my system. The independent MPPT optimizes power generation as conditions change throughout the day.
Add South-Facing Panels
Solar panels produce the most energy when directly facing the sun. Additional south-facing panels can greatly boost total generation.
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In northern latitudes, south-facing panels receive peak sunlight exposure.
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Panels facing east and west still produce well but have lower total energy output.
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To maximize production, tilt fixed south panels at an angle equal to your latitude.
My original 18 panels face west to align with evening peak loads. I added a 6-panel south array tilted at my latitude of 35 degrees. This increased annual energy generation by over 15%.
Install Batteries for Net Metering
Adding solar batteries allows you to store excess power during the day and use it at night to avoid grid draws. With net metering, this also reduces peak usage charges.
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Time-of-use plans charge more for peak afternoon/evening power. Batteries reduce peak loads.
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Many utilities credit excess solar generation at retail rates with net metering. Using stored power avoids buying at peak rates.
I added two Powerwall batteries that store my surplus daytime solar generation. By using the stored power in the evening, I've cut my peak usage in half and receive credits for the excess power sent to the grid.
Change Electricity Use Habits
Shifting when and how you use electricity helps right-size your solar system and maximize its impact on your utility bills.
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Use major appliances in the afternoon when solar output peaks. Avoid evening usage surges.
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Set pool pumps and EVs to charge when solar is abundant. Program them to avoid peak rate times.
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Switch non-essential lighting and appliances off. Be diligent about eliminating phantom loads.
We shifted laundry, dish washing, and EV charging to daytime hours when the panels are producing plentiful power. Installing LEDs, efficient appliances, and tuning up the HVAC also helped reduce our energy appetites.
Bottom Line
By installing an adequately sized solar array, adding high-efficiency trackers and microinverters, pointing panels south, using net metering with batteries, and shifting usage habits, I was able to slash my electric bill by 60%. The solar panels now produce 90% of my household's annual electricity demand. With smart solar hacks, you can dramatically cut your electric bills too.