There is no doubt that having a solar panel system at home can help you save money on electricity. It is also a dependable power backup option. Despite their increasing popularity, not everyone understands how to select the best solar panel system for their home. This blog is guidance for you if you are confused.
Here you’ll find expert advice on how to choose the best solar panels for your home.
Check Feasibility
It is critical to investigate the suitability of a solar panel system for your home before purchasing one. There are primarily two things to look for.
- Space that is available
- Sunlight
You can contact any solar panel retailer or ask their technician how much space is needed to install a solar system at your home.
It is determined by the size of the system required. The number and size of solar panels vary depending on the size of the system, so check to see if you have enough space for this purpose.
Which System to Choose?
The solar system can be classified into three types;
- Off Grid
- On Grid/net metering system
- Hybrid
Off Grid
Then you must determine the availability of sunlight. In most parts of Pakistan, there is enough sunlight to meet the needs of a typical household.
It is the system that connects solar panels to a battery via an inverter. It is not attached to the main power grid. During the day, this system provides direct power and charges the battery. Because of the batteries attached to it, you get electricity backup in the event of a power outage. This solar system necessitates larger batteries.
On Grid/Net Metering
It is the system that connects your system to the main power grid via a net metering system. This system does not include a battery. Excess electricity generated by your solar panel system is transferred to the main grid in exchange for grid electricity in exchange for units. Those units can be consumed at night when there is no sunlight. This significantly reduces the electricity bill.
The disadvantage of this system is that there is no backup power source. For power backup, you’ll need to purchase a separate UPS or generator.
Hybrid (net metering + batteries)
Hybrid solar panel systems are very popular because they provide all of the benefits of both systems while avoiding their drawbacks. It charges the battery while also transferring power to the main grid via a net metering system.
The system works by supplying enough power to completely power the house. Following that, the system’s solar inverter charges the batteries. When the batteries are charged, the excess electricity is transferred to the main grid. As a result, it is regarded as the most efficient system. However, it is also quite costly.
Size or capacity of solar panel system
Here comes a significant factor that many people find troubling. The size of the solar system is an important factor to consider before making a purchase decision. It is primarily determined by your electricity consumption.
The average monthly electricity units (kW) consumed can be calculated using the average electricity bill. You can easily calculate daily average electricity unit consumption (kW) using this average by dividing the number by 30. The table below shows which system you should get based on your daily unit consumption.
| Daily Units (kW) | Capacity (Watts) Approximately |
| 1 | 250W |
| 5 | 1,250W / 1.25kW |
| 10 | 2,500W / 2.5kW |
| 20 | 5,000W / 5kW |
| 40 | 10,000W / 10kW |
| 80 | 20,000W / 20kW |
Best Solar Batteries
Battery capacity is an important consideration when purchasing an off-grid or hybrid system.
The battery’s capacity (kWh) is determined by the amount of backup time required. If you require more backup time in the event of a power outage, you can purchase larger capacity batteries. However, you should also consider the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Solar batteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including tubular, gel, dry, lithium-ion, and so on. Lithium-ion batteries are the best, but they are also the most expensive. Different types and quantities of batteries are required by various solar panel systems. In this regard, 12V batteries are the most common.
Click here to purchase your preferred Solar Batteries.
Solar Inverters
A solar inverter converts the variable DC electric signals from solar panel cells into an alternating current frequency that can be used (AC). Choosing the right inverter is also critical. In most cases, the inverter and solar panel have the same serial number.
If you purchase a 5kW Solar Panel Calculator system for your home, you will almost certainly also purchase a 5kW inverter. It is critical to purchase an inverter with a faster charging rate.
Calculate your power usage kWh (Wattage)
Your electricity bill provides a better estimate of your power consumption. You can, however, calculate your power consumption in relation to various electric appliances. The estimated wattage of various appliances is shown below.
| Appliances | Wattages ~ | Appliances | Wattages ~ |
| Ceiling Fans | 80 | Amplifier | 450 |
| Bracket Fans | 60 | Camera | 10 |
| Bracket Fans – Heavy Duty | 450 | DVR/NVR | 50 |
| Exhaust Fans | 50 | Door Bell | 10 |
| Exhaust Fans – 18 Inch | 410 | Biometric Device | 20 |
| LED Lights | 15 | TV LED | 60 |
| Tube Lights | 25 | Water Dispenser | 300 |
| Search Lights | 80 | Room Fridge | 150 |
| Energy Saver Lights | 20 | Fridge | 450 |
| SMD – Lights | 7 | Freezer | 600 |
| Safety Lights | 50 | E. Water Cooler Vertical | 600 |
| CPU | 250 | Submersible Pump | 2500 |
| Monitor – LCD | 50 | Water Pump | 1500 |
| Laptop | 70 | Water Pump (Double Impeller) | 2500 |
| Printer | 700 | Air Cooler | 550 |
| Scanner | 150 | A.C Conventional (1 Ton) | 1700 |
| Xerox Copier | 2000 | A.C Conventional (1.5 Ton) | 2500 |
| Projector | 500 | A.C Conventional (2 Ton) | 3400 |
| Server | 500 | A.C Inverter (1 Ton) | 1200 |
| Tele Exchange | 12 | A.C Inverter (1.5Ton) | 1800 |
| Fax – Machine | 250 | A.C Inverter (2 Ton) | 2400 |
Solar Energy Production throughout the Year
The amount of solar energy produced varies by month. The average electricity production of a 5kW solar panel system is shown below.
| Months | Units produced (Approximately) |
| January | 250-300 |
| February | 450-500 |
| March | 500-550 |
| April | 600-650 |
| May | 900-950 |
| June | 900-950 |
| July | 830-880 |
| August | 750-800 |
| September | 600-650 |
| October | 500-550 |
| November | 300-350 |
| December | 300-350 |
Panel types (cells)
Panel types are extremely important. When purchasing solar panels for your home, it is critical to pay close attention to them. Their efficiency, price, production rate, and so on are all affected by their type. Here are the four types available on the market.
- Concentrated PV Cell (CVP)
Highest efficiency / most expensive
2. Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI)
2nd highest efficiency / expensive
3. Polycrystalline Solar Panels (p-Si)
2nd lowest efficiency / economical
4. Thin-Film: Amorphous Silicon Solar Panels (A-SI)
Lowest efficiency / cheap
How to Choose Right Panel size
Panel size and production capacity are critical considerations. You should opt for a larger-sized panel. However, keep in mind that many large panels produce nearly the same amount of energy as smaller ones. So, choose the panel that generates the most energy among the others.
Quality Of Solar Panel
Without a doubt, when it comes to solar panels, quality is extremely important. We’re talking about the panel (plate) quality, inverter quality, and battery quality. It is associated with the manufacturer you choose. Choose a brand that is well-known in the market. It is also critical to purchase the panels from a brand that offers a longer warranty.
Does Direction of Panels Metter?
Though your technician is the best person to advise you on this, generally speaking, the best direction for your solar panels to face is south. However, it is subject to change depending on a variety of factors. The main objective is to get as much sunlight as possible. It is the reason for the angular placement of the panels.
Structures that are Custom-Made Versus Ready-Made
The structure or frame on which the solar panels will be installed is an important consideration. There are two choices: ready-made or custom-made. Many people prefer the second option because they can customize the frame’s quality and have it designed specifically for the available space. This helps to maximize space utilization but raises the cost.
Solar Panel Price in Pakistan
The cost of a solar panel varies depending on the company, warranty, panel quality, system type, and so on. The average cost of a simple on-grid (no batteries) 1kW system is Rs.100,000. The chart below depicts the average price of various solar panels in Pakistan.
Off-grid solar panel system prices are higher due to the larger batteries (with greater capacity) required in this system.
Price Estimation of On-Grid Solar Panel in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan |
| 1kW (on-grid) | Rs.80,000 to 130,000 |
| 5kW (on-grid) | Rs.450,000 to 600,000 |
| 10kW (on-grid) | Rs.900,000 to 1,400,000 |
Price Estimation of Off-Grid Solar Panel in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan |
| 1kW (off-grid) | Rs.200,000 to 300,000 |
| 5kW (off-grid) | Rs.950,000 to 1,500,000 |
| 10kW (off-grid) | Rs.1,900,000 to 2,700,000 |
Price Estimation Of Hybrid Solar Panel in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan |
| 1kW (hybrid) | Rs.180,000 to 250,000 |
| 5kW (hybrid) | Rs.900,000 to 1,400,000 |
| 10kW (hybrid) | Rs.1,800,000 to 2,500,000 |
Prices for installation, earthing, boring, and other services are typically included in the packages offered by various manufacturers and sellers.
Note: Please keep in mind that these prices are only for reference. Actual prices may differ depending on a variety of factors such as quality, type, batteries, and so on.
