How to build a Solar Energy System Step 1 Watts Calculations

Introduction:

In this blog post, we will discuss the first steps to take into consideration before building a solar energy system, based on a video by Javier Camacho. We will cover the importance of budget and capacity in creating a successful solar energy project. The video will be present on the same post to support the article.

Budget:

Budget is the amount of money you are willing to invest in your solar energy system and the future of your home. The capacity of the solar energy system you want to build will dictate the budget. For example, a 10 kilowatt-hour (kWh) solar energy system will cost more than a 1 kWh system. The type of materials you use, such as monocrystalline versus polycrystalline solar panels, will also affect your budget, as they have different costs and performance levels.

Capacity:

Capacity refers to the amount of energy that an appliance in your house will consume during its usage, the power that your solar panels are capable of producing during the day, and the amount of energy you can store in your battery. In order to calculate the watts a device consumes or produces, you must know its operational voltage and how much current (amps) it will consume per hour. You can then multiply volts by amps to calculate energy consumption or production.

Watts Calculator:

To help you determine the energy consumption of various devices, Javier Camacho has created a watts calculator available at DIYBatteryStore.com. This web app allows you to input the voltage, amps, and hours of usage for any device and calculate its energy consumption in watts. For example, if you have a fridge that operates at 110 volts and consumes 3.75 amps for 24 hours, the calculator will show that it consumes around 3,000 watts. Keep in mind that energy-efficient appliances may consume less power than their rated values.

Using a Kilowatt Meter:

A kilowatt meter, such as the one mentioned in the video, can be used to measure the exact energy consumption of appliances like a fridge. Simply plug the kilowatt meter into the wall and then plug your appliance into the meter. Run the meter for a set period, such as 6 or 12 hours, to determine the actual energy consumption of the appliance.

Conclusion:

Now that you have a better understanding of budget and capacity, as well as the tools available to calculate energy consumption, you are ready to start planning your solar energy system. In the next video, Javier Camacho will discuss using the data from the watts calculator to design the system, including selecting solar panels, inverters, and batteries.