How Many KWh Does A 13kw Solar System Produce? Easy Calculation for You
With electricity prices constantly rising, homeowners are looking for ways to gain energy independence and take control of their utility bills. Investing in rooftop solar panels allows households to harness the free power of the sun to generate their own renewable electricity.
A residential solar system rated at 13kW can produce 40-80 kWh of electricity per day, reducing grid dependence. But how can you estimate the potential electricity production from a 13kW solar array for your home?
The solar energy output of a 13kW system depends on several factors like climate, orientation, and equipment efficiency. On average, a 13kW solar installation with premium components can realistically produce around 50-60 kWh per day in a temperate climate with 5 daily sun hours.
Read on to learn more about how to calculate expected solar production based on your location and system specifics. We will also discuss what household loads a 13kW solar system could power, whether this size array is suited for your home, solar panel quantities needed, costs, and projected energy bill savings.
What Affects kWh Production
The amount of electricity generated by a 13kW solar system depends on several key factors:
- Solar Panel Power Rating: The wattage or power of the solar panels impacts energy output. A 13kW solar system may consist of 30 x 430W panels for 13,000W (13kW) of solar capacity. Higher efficiency panels can squeeze more productivity per square foot.
- Sunlight Hours: The solar radiation and number of daylight hours is tied to location. Sunnier regions will achieve greater solar energy production from the same system.
- Direction and Tilt: Orienting solar panels to face true south (northern hemisphere) maximizes exposure to direct sunlight. Having solar panels fixed tilt at an optimal angle can further boost efficiency.
- Temperature: Solar cells become less efficient as temperatures rise. Cooler ambient temperatures in some climates allow for higher solar panel productivity.
- System Component Efficiency: Inverters, wiring, and other system components dissipate some energy as heat, reducing the overall kWh generation. High-quality equipment maximizes usable electricity output.
Average kWh Per Day for a 13kW Solar System
As a general rule of thumb, you can estimate a solar array’s production by taking its kW size multiplied by 5 peak sun hours per day.
So for a 13kW system, the math would be:
13kW x 5 sun hours = 65 kWh per day
However, this solar estimate does not account for equipment losses and other variables described above. Actual production may be 20-30% less.
A more precise solar estimate based on your specific location and conditions can be obtained from an online solar calculator.
According to solar experts, here are some typical kWh per day estimates based on sun intensity:
Sunny Climate
In a very sunny desert climate with peak sun hours of up to 7 per day, a 13kW solar system could produce around 80 kWh per day.
13kW capacity x 7 sun hours x 0.8 efficiency = 73 kWh
Temperate Climate
In temperate climates with average sun hours of 5 per day, a 13kW solar array would generate roughly 50-60 kWh per day.
13kW capacity x 5 sun hours x 0.8 efficiency = 52 kWh
Overcast Region
In frequently overcast northern regions with 3-4 daily sun hours, a 13kW system would produce 30-40 kWh per day.
13kW capacity x 3 sun hours x 0.8 efficiency = 31 kWh
Yearly kWh Estimate for 13kW Solar
Based on these daily solar production estimates, here is how much total electricity a 13kW solar system could generate over a full year:
Sunny Climate: 28,000 kWh
Temperate Climate: 18,000 – 22,000 kWh
Overcast Region: 11,000 – 15,000 kWh
A 13kW solar array has the potential to produce a sizeable portion of an average home’s annual electrical consumption, often between 50-80% depending on location and household energy use.
What Can You Power with a 13kW Solar System?
A 13kW solar panel system can produce enough renewable energy to power major home appliances and amenities. Here are some electrical loads that a 13kW solar system could handle:
- Heating and cooling systems like an air conditioner or heat pump
- Multiple fridges, freezers, ovens and other kitchen appliances
- Washing machine and electric dryer
- Home office and electronics
- Electric vehicle charging
- Water heating
- Swimming pool pump and filtration
- Several televisions, computers, lights and other devices
A 13kW solar array has ample capacity to run a typical household with modern amenities and conveniences. Any excess solar electricity generated can be exported back to the grid.
Is a 13kW Solar System Right For You?
Determining the optimal solar system size for your home depends on these factors:
- Electricity costs and savings goals – Larger systems provide greater savings
- Roof space available – 13kW usually requires 200-300 sq.ft.
- Future electricity needs – Accommodate electric vehicle, appliances etc.
- Local net metering policy – Ability to export excess power to grid
- Budget – 13kW solar is a mid-range residential system price
A 13kW system is well-suited to larger homes with ample roof space and significant electrical loads. It can provide a majority of a household’s electricity but is scalable to meet higher energy demands.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed for a 13kW System?
The number of solar panels needed depends on the individual panel wattage. For a 13kW solar array, here are example solar panel quantities:
- 30 x 430W panels = 13,000W (13kW)
- 32 x 400W panels = 12,800W
- 39 x 330W panels = 12,870W
So you would need around 30 to 40 standard home solar panels to achieve a solar capacity in the 13kW range. Panels are typically paired with one or more 5kW or 7kW inverters to convert the DC solar electricity into usable AC power.
How Much Does a 13kW Solar System Cost?
According to 2021 solar pricing data, the average cost of a 13kW solar system is $3 to $4 per watt including installation. This equates to a total price range of:
- 13kW x $3 per watt = $39,000
- 13kW x $4 per watt = $52,000
Costs can be lower or higher than average depending on your location, roof type, panel and inverter equipment chosen, and the installer. Federal and state solar incentives can reduce the net system cost by up to 30%.
Owning your solar system can yield thousands in energy savings over its 25+ year lifespan. Financing options like solar loans and PPAs can offset the upfront costs.
Energy Bill Savings with a 13kW System
By generating your own sunlight-powered electricity, a 13kW solar system can shrink those monthly utility bills. Assuming an average retail electricity rate of $0.15/kWh, here are estimated 25-year savings:
- Sunny region: 28,000 kWh x $0.15 x 25 years = $105,000
- Temperate region: 20,000 kWh x $0.15 x 25 years = $75,000
- Overcast region: 13,000 kWh x $0.15 x 25 years = $48,750
Even in less sunny climates a 13kW solar system can pay for itself through electricity savings and lower bills.
As you can see from the above estimate, a 13kW solar system can significantly slash your utility bills. On average, you can expect savings ranging from $100 to $200 per month. Over the years, it adds up—putting more green in your pocket and less carbon in the atmosphere.
Commonly Asked Questions for Your Further Query
How Many Homes Can A 13kw Solar System Power?
A 13kW system can supply a significant portion of power needs for a large home or small apartment/office building. It can also be split across 2-3 separately metered homes.
How Do I Monitor Kwh Generation?
Solar monitoring through an app or web portal allows you to view real-time and historical production from your solar panels.
What If I Oversize My Solar System?
Oversizing slightly helps account for future energy needs. Excess solar electricity not used onsite gets exported to the grid for bill credits.
Can Solar Production Drop Over Time?
Solar panels may lose around 0.5% of their productivity per year. Performance can be maintained by cleaning panels and getting inverter maintenance.
How Large Are Typical Residential Solar Installs?
The average home solar system size is around 5-8kW. Larger homes often install 10-15+ kW systems.
Conclusion
A 13kW solar array is a sizable system that can satisfy a majority of a typical household’s electrical requirements while also reducing energy bills. With a 13kW solar installation producing 40-80 kWh per day, homeowners gain energy independence and significant savings on electricity costs over the system’s lifetime. Carefully evaluating your home’s power consumption and sizing your solar system accordingly will allow you to maximize the return on your solar investment.
