Remember I said that solar energy system size is influenced by a couple of factors. These factors make your system either expensive or cheap, huge or small, occupy a lot of space or less space etc.
The main factor here is the generation factor of solar panels in a given location.
Generation factor is determined by the amount of solar irradiation in a given location.
Depending on the amount of irradiation, the solar generation factor can either be high or low.
Places with high generation factor will have a small energy system generating a lot of energy hence solar systems in such places are cheap. For instant take the $3,500 budget on our budget page.
The budget is for a low generation factor environment. It is sized for a house in Northern Europe with a generation factor of 2.8 Kwh/M2.
How can this budget differ in a place with high generation factor?
Let us take Monterrey, Mexico with a generation factor of 5.75 Kwh/M2.
Let us create the $3,500 budget in respect to Monterrey, Mexico and see how cheap it can be.
See the appliance below:
1) Television set
2) Computer/laptop
3) PlayStation
4) Tv set box
5) Radio system
6) Microwave
7) Refrigerator
8) Toaster
9) Electric jug
10) 10 lighting bulb
- Total watts = 2335 watts
- Total watt-hours =5625 watt-hour
Remember:
- Generation factor=4.75
- Battery losses=0.85
- Battery depth of discharge=0.6
- Solar charge controller losses=1.3
- Inverter watts allowance=30%
Sizing for Components:
Solar panel
5625watt-hour/4.75= 1184.75 watts
1887.58watts/100watts=11.8=12,12v, 100watts solar panels
Inverter
(0.30×2335) +2335watts=3035.5=3000watts inverter (not affected by the factor)
Battery bank
5625watt-hours/0.85/0.6= 11029.4118watt-hours
11029.4118watt-hour/24 volts= 459.55AH
459.55 AH/200AH=2.297=3,24v,200AH batteries(not affected by the factor)
Solar charge controller
6.13A x 1.3 x6=47.814A=45A charge controller
Nr of components needed
- No of Components: (A)
- Price each($): (B)
- Total($): (C)
100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Panel by Eco-Worthy
A: 12
B: $112.99
C: $1355.88
VertaMax 3000 Watt (6000W surge) 12V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter
A: 1
B: $339.99
C: $339.99
Universal UB121000-45978 12v 100AH Deep Cycle AGM
A: 4
B: $159
C: $636
Morningstar TS-45 TriStar 45 Amp Charge Controller 12-48V PWM
A: 1
B: $151.94
C: $151.94
total price:
$2483.81
Conclusion
As you can see the $3,500 budget in another place is different. In Northern Europe to generate 5600 watts of a given house, the budget would be $3500.
To produce the same watts 5600 watts in Monterrey Mexico, the budget would be $2500.
This is because high generation factor in Mexico reduced the number of solar panels required to generate the 5600 watts. This made the budget lower by $1000.
So it is right and correct to conclude that solar energy in Mexico is cheaper than in Europe. This is when you compare the generation factors.
So, what are your thoughts about this? Leave your comment below! 🙂
Ephraim
Solar PV technichian and team member on:
