The world is embracing solar and other renewable energy solutions in all sectors. The same is the case with households adopting solar energy solutions. It not only leads to lots of savings but is also good for the environment. To understand it better, here is an idea of how much you will save according to the average monthly electric bill with solar panels, factors influencing, and other helpful information.
How Much is the Average Electricity Bill in U.S. States?
To determine how much you may save with solar panels, you should first know the bills. Well, according to the state, energy pricing, climate, etc, the average bills vary from state to state.
To help you understand, here are some basic ideas. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) said an average U.S. household uses approximately 10,632 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. It means the average is 886 kWh (2021 stats).
For example, the household may pay 12.57¢ per kWh. ( It varies according to state, and it may change frequently). Therefore, the monthly bills can be approximately $113 per month (886 kWh x 12.57¢ = $111.37).
Here are some figures of the diversity of average bills in the USA:
Alaska: It experiences diverse and extreme weather. The monthly bills can range from $100 to $150.
Hawaii: The state has little high energy costs. Therefore, the bills may range from $168 to $203 monthly.
Washington: There are abundant hydropower projects in the region. Therefore, homeowners may receive less bills ranging from $80 to $100.
To determine your bills, you can check your energy consumption from the utility bills. Then, find the month's average. The bills differ from household to household. Fortunately, with solar solutions, you can save a lot on bills and contribute to the environment.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save in the Average Household?
To answer the question, what is the average monthly electric bill with solar panels? You have to determine some factors. For example, do your panels fulfill all the energy needs? Do you have cloudy days? Is there energy backup? Etc.
On average, a solar system can reduce a household's electric bill by 50 to 90 percent.
For example, you can save this range with solar solutions:
Small Solar System: A small solar system can cover some of your electricity requirements, saving you almost 10% to 30% on your monthly bill.
Medium Solar System: A medium-sized system can yield a more substantial part of your electricity, saving 30% to 60%.
Large Solar System: A large solar installation can neutralize most of your electricity consumption, directing to savings of 60% to 90% or more.
Factors That Influence the Amount of Savings
To determine how much you save with solar panels, you can consider these factors:
Location and Installation
The peak sunlight hours your area receives help to determine the output of the solar panels. For example, a region with six sun-hours daily will contain twice as much energy as a collection with only three sun hours.
Also, very hot temperatures may reduce output, but cooler days with good sunshine can increase it. Plus, with the right installation place and angles, you can boost energy production and savings.
Size of the System
A full roof, efficient and quality solar panels, etc, can increase the output and make your energy depend more on the solar solutions. So, go for more solar panels according to your needs. The average-size home solar panel system delivers 720 kWh – 900 kWh per month. This covers the monthly power needs.
The Type of System
There are various systems when it comes to choosing solar solutions. Some of them are:
Off-grid system: In this system, you don't connect with the grid. You harness solar energy during the day, and the extra power is directed to the battery solution to use at night.
For example, BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup. It's a 7,600W system whose energy capacity can be expanded from 9.9kWh~19.8kWh. It comes with a B500 battery whose capacity is 4,960Wh. It is compatible with solar panels and can revolutionize your home's energy needs with great storage.
Moreover, it stores and powers all your appliances at times of need. This means saving majorly on the bills. But this system has a high upfront cost, which is balanced as you receive negligible bills.
Grid-tied system: In this system, you have significant solar panels. When there is a night, blackout, or emergency, you can use the grid electricity. Also, you can sell back extra electricity produced from the panel to the grid to earn credits. It also leads to additional savings.
This is one of the most popular systems. But, if there is a grid failure, the solar panel may be cut too for extra safety. So, having power back solutions is recommended in this case, too.
Incentives
Many states give various incentives to eligible homeowners to install solar panels and boost eco-friendly practices. It can be tax credits, rebates, and many other programs. For example, net metering is installed on grid-tied systems. The extra energy solar panels produce is directed to the grid, which helps you earn credits.
So, how much energy you use, the energy solar panels produce, and how much you utilize grid energy will determine your savings.
How Can I Maximize the Solar Solutions at Home
Here are some tips to increase the potential of the solar solutions at home:
Go with the Right Solar Solutions, Installation, and Care Practices
You should choose the number and wattage of the solar panel according to your needs. For this, you should check your utility bills and the wattage requirement of your appliances. After this, consult the experts to buy the right number and power of panels.
Also, the installation calls for the right location, tilt angles, etc. You can also use reflective mirrors and level up the installation to increase its potential. After installation, you should regularly clean the solar panels as they can welcome dust and debris. It minimizes the energy production significantly.
Also, trim branches that shadow panels, check pests around them, wires, and other things. Regular checkups and maintenance and going with efficient solar panels will help you increase its potential.
So, explore the wide range of solar panel systems and choose them according to your needs. Also, determine the sunshine hours and location concerning energy requirements.
Overall, knowing your present and future energy demands and then going with compatible panels and systems is advisable. Also, choosing professional installation and maintenance can prolong its life and efficiency a lot. Finally, go with a brand with good online reviews, credibility, warranty, easy installation, and prompt customer support.
For example, these BLUETTI 200W solar panels are monocrystalline solar cells with up to 23.4% efficiency. They have long-lasting ETFE coatings that are foldable and compatible.
Level it up With Home Energy Solutions
The solar panels produce energy in the daytime. But what happens at night, on cloudy or bad weather days? Also, if you have a grid-tied system, you may switch to grid power on the conditions mentioned above.
But what if there is a grid failure or power outage? For both situations, you need an energy backup. If you live completely off the grid, it helps you to store and use the extra stored energy at night or on bad weather days. In comparison, if you have a grid-tied system, it enables you to store energy and use it when solar panels cannot, which leads to more cost savings. Also, if the grid fails, you can use this stored energy.
A reliable home energy backup system can increase the potential for solar energy solutions. The extra energy produced by the solar panels during the day can be directed to the storage units. You can use it anytime.
For example, BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup. It's a whopping 9,000W unit, which has a B500 battery with an energy capacity of 4960Wh. You can scale it with multiple additional battery packs to expand it from 9,920Wh~19,840Wh. It features a 10-year coverage, LiFePO₄ battery, and can be installed outside and inside.
It's compatible with both existing and solar solutions. You can use it for off-grid and grid-tied systems as you like. With less than 50 dB (A) sound, great monitoring systems, and straightforward operations, it's a valuable addition to any household.
Final Words
The average monthly electric bill with solar panels depends on to what extent you are using the solar solutions. Your energy requirements and solar panel usage, efficiency, potential, etc contribute to it. So, the upfront costs depend on incentives and other factors. But, it's covered with low bills throughout the years. Moreover, using cleaner energy is a blessing. So, explore your power needs location for installation and add backup solutions to add it to your household. This will bring peace of mind and keep you updated.
