You've probably wondered how many kwh does solar energy pay for? In recent years, many people have become interested in solar energy, both here in Brazil and in the rest of the world. This is because more and more people and companies want to save on electricity bills and help the environment at the same time.
But before investing in a photovoltaic system, it's important to know whether it's really worth it financially. This will depend on how much energy you need to generate for the investment to pay off. In this article you'll learn how to do this calculation and assess whether solar energy is worthwhile in each case.
What is solar energy and how does it work?
Solar energy is electricity generated from sunlight. It works through a system called photovoltaics, which converts solar energy into electrical energy.
The photovoltaic system consists mainly of three parts: the solar panels, the inverter and the bidirectional meter. The panels capture sunlight and transform it into electric current. The inverter converts this current into a format that can be used in your home or business.
The bidirectional meter, on the other hand, controls how much energy you consume and how much is generated for the electricity grid, allowing you to save on your electricity bill. With this simple system, you can generate your own electricity, reducing your dependence on the energy supplied by the utilities.
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What influences the viability of solar energy
Before investing in solar energy, you need to understand a few things factors that affect its viability. Let's discuss some of them:
- Initial installation costThe cost of installing a solar system includes solar panels, inverters and other components. However, it is a long-term investment that is 100% offset by the savings on your electricity bill.
- Efficiency of solar panels: the efficiency of photovoltaic modulesIn other words, their ability to convert sunlight into electricity varies according to the technology used. More efficient panels generate more energy, even in areas with less sun.
- Solar irradiation rate in the region: The amount of sunlight that a region receives throughout the year, called solar irradiation, is fundamental. Regions with more sunlight have greater potential to generate energy, making the system more viable.
- Local electricity tariff: The savings generated by solar energy depend on how much you currently pay for electricity. In regions where the electricity tariff is high, the return on investment in solar energy tends to be quicker.
- Possibility of financing or tax incentives: Governments often offer tax incentives or easier financing conditions for those who install solar systems. One of the main incentives is FINAME from the BNDESwhich offers attractive financing conditions for the purchase of solar energy equipment manufactured in Brazil.
These factors should be analyzed together, helping to determine whether solar energy is a good choice for your specific situation.
How to calculate energy consumption in kWh?
To decide whether solar energy pays off, the first step is to understand your energy consumption in kWh (kilowatt-hour). The kWh is the unit that measures how much energy you use and appears on your electricity bill, indicating your consumption for the month.
What is kWh?
The kWh represents the amount of energy consumed when a 1,000 watt (or 1 kilowatt) appliance is used for one hour. For example, a 100-watt light bulb lit for 10 hours consumes 1 kWh.
How do you calculate your monthly consumption in kWh?
It may seem like it, but it's not difficult to calculate. Check it out to find out how many kWh solar energy pays for:
- Identify the power of the appliance: check the wattage of the appliances you use. This information is on the product label.
- Calculate consumption per hour: multiply the power of the appliance in kilowatts by the number of hours it is used per day. For example, a 200-watt TV used for 5 hours consumes 1 kWh per day.
- Calculate monthly consumption: multiply the daily consumption by the number of days in the month. In the case of a TV, 1 kWh per day results in 30 kWh per month.
- Add up the consumption: repeat the calculation for all the appliances and add them up to find the total consumption.
Calculating in practice
Let's say you have the following devices:
- Refrigerator150 watts, on 24 hours a day.
- Television: 200 watts, on for 5 hours a day.
- Air conditioning: 1000 watts, on 8 hours a day.
Calculating:
- The fridge consumes 3.6 kWh per day, for a total of 108 kWh per month.
- The television consumes 1 kWh per day, totaling 30 kWh per month.
- The air conditioning consumes 8 kWh per day, totaling 240 kWh per month.
Add it all up, their monthly consumption would be 378 kWh.
Whether your monthly consumption is 100 kWh or 1000 kWh, solar energy can be advantageous. Those who consume less can reduce their electricity bill to almost zeroWhile those who consume more can see even more significant savings.
From how many kWh does solar energy pay for?
Solar energy pays off for all levels of consumption, whether low, medium or high. This is a smart investment, regardless of how much kWh you consume each month.
Let's understand it better how this works in different consumption ranges:
Low consumption (up to 300 kWh/month)
For those with low consumption, solar energy is still advantageous. Imagine you consume around 200 kWh a month. With a small solar system, it is possible to generate this amount of energy, reducing your electricity bill to almost zero.
Even considering the initial investment, the savings accumulated over the years make the system worthwhile for those with low consumption.
Average consumption (between 300 and 600 kWh/month)
If your consumption is in the average range, for example 400 kWh per month, solar energy begins to show its potential even more. With the right system, you can supply most of your consumptionThis will significantly reduce dependence on the electricity grid and save a lot in the medium term.
High consumption (over 600 kWh/month)
For those who consume a lot, such as 800 kWh or more per month, the savings generated by a solar energy system are even more significant. The initial investment may be higher, but the reduction in energy bills will be proportionally greater, making the return on investment quicker.
Now that you know how many kWh solar energy compensates for, find out how this solution can be affordable for everyone
Regardless of your consumption profile, solar energy is a great choice. Over time, the savings generated offset the initial cost in all cases, and you contribute to a more sustainable future.
If you want to know more about how solar energy can transform your finances, we invite you to learn about BYD solutions. With expertise in solar solutions, we can help you find the ideal system for your consumption and needs.
