Choosing the correct solar system size is one of the most important parts of solar installation. A system that is too small may fail to provide enough electricity, while a system that is unnecessarily large can increase the initial investment without providing proportional benefits.
The correct solar system size depends on electricity consumption, peak electrical demand, appliance types, operating hours, available sunlight, battery requirements, roof space and whether the system is designed for grid-connected operation, backup power or complete off-grid electricity.
For professional solar system sizing, installation, upgrades and maintenance, contact 0723763173.
WHY SYSTEM SIZE MATTERS
Solar system size determines how much energy the installation can generate and how much electrical power it can deliver.
However, "system size" does not refer to only one number.
A solar installation can have several different ratings:
Solar panel capacity.
Inverter capacity.
Battery capacity.
Daily energy production.
Peak electrical output.
These ratings must be considered together.
SOLAR PANEL CAPACITY
Solar panel capacity is normally expressed in kilowatts, or kW.
For example, a solar array may have a total rated capacity of 5 kW.
This does not mean the system will produce exactly 5 kW continuously throughout the day.
Solar production changes according to sunlight, temperature, shading, panel orientation and other conditions.
DAILY ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The amount of electricity a property consumes each day is normally expressed in kilowatt-hours, or kWh.
This is different from the instantaneous power requirement.
A house might have a peak load of 6 kW but consume only 12 kWh during an average day.
Another property might have a peak load of 4 kW but consume 25 kWh per day.
These properties require different solar designs.
PEAK LOAD
Peak load is the amount of electrical power being used simultaneously at a particular time.
Suppose a home is operating:
A refrigerator.
Several lights.
A television.
A water pump.
A microwave.
A computer.
The combined instantaneous load may be several kilowatts.
The inverter must be capable of supplying the required simultaneous load.
DAILY LOAD VERSUS PEAK LOAD
Daily energy consumption helps determine solar generation and battery requirements.
Peak load helps determine inverter capacity.
Both are important.
A common mistake is to size the solar system using only the monthly electricity bill without considering high-power appliances and simultaneous loads.
HOW TO CALCULATE DAILY ENERGY USE
A basic energy calculation can be made by multiplying appliance power by operating hours.
The basic formula is:
Energy = Power × Time
For example, a 100 W appliance operating for 5 hours consumes approximately:
100 W × 5 hours = 500 Wh
or:
0.5 kWh.
The daily consumption of all relevant appliances can then be added together.
EXAMPLE OF A HOME LOAD
Consider a household with:
Lighting.
Television.
Refrigerator.
Wi-Fi router.
Computers.
Washing machine.
Water pump.
Other appliances.
The installer can calculate the estimated daily energy consumption from appliance ratings and usage patterns.
Actual measurements from electricity bills or energy-monitoring equipment can provide better information.
USING ELECTRICITY BILLS
Electricity bills can be useful when estimating historical energy consumption.
A series of monthly bills can reveal whether consumption is relatively stable or changes significantly between months.
However, the bill alone does not always reveal which appliances create the peak load.
WHY APPLIANCE LISTS ARE IMPORTANT
An appliance list tells the installer what the solar system needs to operate.
Important information includes:
Appliance name.
Power rating.
Quantity.
Hours of operation.
Time of day used.
Starting characteristics.
Whether the appliance must operate during a power outage.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A SMALL HOME
A small home may have relatively modest electricity consumption.
Typical loads might include:
LED lighting.
Television.
Refrigerator.
Internet router.
Phone chargers.
Small electronics.
A relatively small solar installation may be sufficient if these are the primary loads.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A MEDIUM HOME
A medium-sized home may include:
Several televisions.
Refrigerator.
Freezer.
Washing machine.
Microwave.
Water pump.
Computers.
More lighting.
Entertainment systems.
The system needs to account for both daily energy and peak demand.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A LARGE HOME
A large residence can have substantially higher demand.
Possible loads include:
Electric cooker.
Electric oven.
Water heaters.
Multiple refrigerators.
Freezers.
Air conditioners.
Water pumps.
Washing machines.
Dishwashers.
Computers.
Security systems.
Entertainment equipment.
Such a home may require a substantially larger inverter, solar array and battery system.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR AN APARTMENT
Apartments often have limited roof space.
An apartment resident may therefore need an individually sized backup system or a shared building solar arrangement.
The available installation space should be assessed before selecting equipment.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A MAISONETTE
A maisonette can have multiple floors and many electrical loads.
The installer should determine which circuits require backup and how the solar system will connect to the home's distribution board.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A VILLA
A large villa can require substantial electricity, particularly if it contains air conditioning, electric cooking, pumps and water heating.
A detailed load assessment is recommended.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A FARMHOUSE
A farmhouse may have household loads plus agricultural equipment.
These can include:
Water pumps.
Electric fencing.
Lighting.
Refrigeration.
Irrigation.
Farm machinery.
The solar system should account for both domestic and agricultural loads.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A SHOP
A shop may require electricity for:
Lighting.
Refrigeration.
Computers.
Point-of-sale equipment.
CCTV.
Internet.
Television.
The system can be designed around the shop's operating hours.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR AN OFFICE
Office loads may include:
Computers.
Monitors.
Printers.
Network equipment.
Lighting.
Air conditioning.
Security systems.
The number of employees and operating hours influence the required system size.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A RESTAURANT
Restaurants can have significant loads because of:
Refrigerators.
Freezers.
Lighting.
Pumps.
Ventilation.
Cooking equipment.
Water heating.
High-power cooking equipment should be specifically included in the design.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A HOTEL
Hotels can require substantial electricity.
The system may need to support:
Guest rooms.
Lighting.
Pumps.
Laundry.
Refrigeration.
Kitchen equipment.
Air conditioning.
Water heating.
Security.
A commercial energy audit can be useful.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A SCHOOL
Schools can use solar for:
Classrooms.
Computers.
Administration offices.
Lighting.
Water pumping.
Security.
Internet.
The system can be designed around school operating hours.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A WORKSHOP
Workshops may use:
Power tools.
Welding equipment.
Compressors.
Motors.
Lighting.
Machinery.
These loads can require large inverter capacity and careful electrical engineering.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A FACTORY
Industrial solar installations should be designed from detailed load information.
The installer should examine:
Peak demand.
Production schedules.
Motor loads.
Compressors.
Pumps.
Lighting.
Three-phase equipment.
Power factor.
Starting currents.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR A BOREHOLE
Borehole systems require special sizing.
The installer needs:
Pump rating.
Pump voltage.
Pump depth.
Water flow requirement.
Operating hours.
Water demand.
Pipe configuration.
The solar system is then designed to supply the pump appropriately.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION
Irrigation requirements can vary considerably.
A large farm may require substantial pump capacity.
In some cases, pumping water during sunny periods and storing the water in tanks can reduce the need for large electrical battery storage.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR SECURITY
Security systems often require continuous operation.
Loads can include:
CCTV.
Electric fences.
Alarms.
Gate motors.
Security lighting.
The battery should be sized to maintain critical security equipment during outages.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR INTERNET
Internet equipment usually consumes relatively little power but may need continuous operation.
A small backup circuit can keep routers and network equipment running.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION
Refrigerators and freezers cycle on and off.
However, compressor starting characteristics should be considered when selecting the inverter.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR WATER PUMPS
Water pumps can have high starting currents.
The inverter should be appropriately rated for the motor.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioners can consume substantial energy.
The number of units, their capacity and daily operating hours should be included in the load calculation.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC COOKING
Electric cookers, ovens and hot plates can create substantial peak demand.
A household intending to operate these appliances from solar should include them in the system design.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR WATER HEATING
Electric water heaters can consume considerable energy.
If water heating is included in the solar system, the daily energy requirement can increase significantly.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR WASHING MACHINES
Washing machines have varying energy consumption depending on the cycle.
Machines with integrated water heating can use more electricity.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR MICROWAVES
Microwaves generally have a relatively high instantaneous power rating but are normally used for short periods.
Their impact on daily energy consumption may therefore be smaller than their peak power suggests.
However, their instantaneous load must still be considered when sizing the inverter.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR TELEVISIONS
Televisions generally have moderate power requirements.
Multiple televisions should be included in the total load calculation.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR COMPUTERS
Computers and monitors can contribute significantly to office energy consumption when many units operate for long hours.
SOLAR SYSTEM FOR LIGHTING
Lighting is one of the easiest loads to reduce through energy-efficient LED technology.
Replacing inefficient lighting can reduce the required solar capacity.
SOLAR SYSTEM AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Before increasing solar capacity, customers should consider whether electricity consumption can be reduced.
Energy-efficient appliances can reduce:
Solar panel requirements.
Battery requirements.
Inverter loading.
Overall system cost.
SOLAR SYSTEM AND LOAD MANAGEMENT
Load management involves controlling when appliances operate.
For example, a household may choose to run certain flexible appliances during periods of strong solar generation.
This can increase direct solar consumption.
DAYTIME SOLAR USE
Properties with significant daytime electricity consumption can often make good use of solar energy directly.
Examples include:
Offices.
Schools.
Workshops.
Shops.
Factories.
Farms.
NIGHT-TIME ELECTRICITY USE
Solar panels do not provide meaningful electricity during normal nighttime darkness.
Therefore, night-time loads must be supplied through batteries or another source such as grid electricity or a generator.
BATTERY SIZE
Battery size depends on the amount of energy that needs to be stored.
A customer who wants only short backup for essential appliances needs less storage than a customer who wants to operate an entire home overnight.
BACKUP HOURS
Backup duration is a major factor.
For example, a customer may want:
2 hours.
4 hours.
6 hours.
8 hours.
10 hours.
An entire night.
Several days of autonomy.
Each requirement can result in a different battery size.
ESSENTIAL LOAD BACKUP
Instead of backing up the entire property, the installer can create an essential-load circuit.
This might include:
Lights.
Refrigerator.
Internet.
CCTV.
Television.
Selected sockets.
This can reduce battery and inverter requirements.
WHOLE-HOUSE BACKUP
Whole-house backup requires the inverter and battery to support a much larger range of loads.
High-power appliances should be considered carefully.
OFF-GRID SYSTEM SIZING
Off-grid systems require particularly careful sizing.
The system cannot depend on grid electricity when solar production is insufficient.
Battery storage and solar generation must therefore be sufficient for expected operating conditions.
HYBRID SYSTEM SIZING
Hybrid systems can use grid electricity when necessary.
This provides additional flexibility.
The battery can be sized around the desired backup requirement rather than necessarily covering every possible energy demand for an extended period.
ON-GRID SYSTEM SIZING
On-grid systems can focus primarily on reducing grid electricity consumption.
Battery storage may not be required unless backup is also desired.
SOLAR PANEL CAPACITY
Panel capacity should be based on daily energy requirements and available solar production.
The system designer should account for losses and local operating conditions.
SOLAR PRODUCTION IS NOT CONSTANT
A solar panel's rated wattage does not mean it will generate that amount of power throughout the day.
Production changes with:
Sun angle.
Cloud cover.
Temperature.
Shading.
Panel orientation.
Dust.
Electrical conditions.
PEAK SUN HOURS
Solar system designers often use solar resource data and equivalent peak-sun-hour concepts to estimate energy production.
The actual available solar resource varies by location and weather.
NAIROBI SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
A solar installation in Nairobi should be designed according to the site's actual conditions.
Roof orientation, shading and household consumption should be assessed.
KIAMBU SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
Homes and farms in Kiambu can require different system sizes depending on domestic and agricultural loads.
NAKURU SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
Solar installations in Nakuru should account for household, commercial or agricultural consumption.
KISUMU SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
The required system depends on the property and intended loads.
MOMBASA SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
Solar installations in Mombasa should consider the coastal environment as well as electrical demand.
KAJIADO SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
Remote homes and farms in Kajiado may require off-grid or hybrid systems depending on grid availability.
TURKANA SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
Remote locations may require carefully sized off-grid systems with sufficient battery storage.
SOLAR SIZING FOR REMOTE HOMES
Remote homes should consider several days of reduced solar production when determining storage and generation requirements.
SOLAR SIZING FOR BUSINESSES
Businesses should examine both energy consumption and operating hours.
A business using most electricity during daylight may require less battery capacity than a business operating primarily at night.
SOLAR SIZING FOR FARMS
Farm solar systems should separate domestic loads from pumping and agricultural loads where practical.
SOLAR SIZING FOR PUMPS
Pump sizing should consider both electrical and hydraulic requirements.
A larger pump does not necessarily mean that simply adding more panels will solve the problem.
SOLAR SIZING FOR MOTORS
Motor starting current must be considered.
The inverter must have appropriate surge or motor-starting capability.
SOLAR SIZING FOR THREE-PHASE LOADS
Three-phase systems require appropriate inverter architecture.
The distribution of loads across phases should be evaluated.
SOLAR SIZING AND POWER FACTOR
Commercial and industrial loads may have power-factor characteristics that affect electrical system sizing.
Large motor and inductive loads should therefore be evaluated carefully.
SOLAR SIZING AND FUTURE EXPANSION
A customer may expect electricity consumption to increase.
Future requirements can include:
Electric vehicles.
Additional air conditioning.
Electric cooking.
More refrigeration.
Larger pumps.
New machinery.
Planning for these loads can make future expansion easier.
SOLAR SIZING AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Electric vehicle charging can substantially increase daily energy consumption.
If EV charging is planned, it should be included in the solar design.
SOLAR SIZING AND NEW APPLIANCES
Customers should tell the installer about appliances they intend to purchase.
This can prevent the initial system from becoming undersized shortly after installation.
SOLAR SIZING USING ENERGY BILLS
Monthly electricity bills can provide a useful starting point.
However, detailed load analysis remains important.
SOLAR SIZING USING SMART METERS
Where suitable data is available, energy-monitoring equipment can provide more detailed information about consumption patterns.
SOLAR SIZING USING CLAMP METERS
Professional energy assessments may use electrical measurement equipment to observe actual loads.
This can help identify peak demand.
SOLAR SIZING AND ROOF AREA
The required solar capacity must fit somewhere.
Roof area can therefore limit the number of panels that can be installed.
SOLAR SIZING AND PANEL WATTAGE
Higher-wattage panels can reduce the number of panels required for a given PV capacity.
However, physical dimensions and inverter compatibility remain important.
SOLAR SIZING AND SHADING
A shaded roof may produce less energy than an unshaded roof of the same size.
Shading analysis should therefore form part of the design.
SOLAR SIZING AND PANEL ORIENTATION
Different roof orientations can have different production profiles.
Multiple MPPT inputs may help in some installations where roof sections face different directions.
SOLAR SIZING AND BATTERY EFFICIENCY
Energy is lost during battery charging and discharging.
The design should account for these losses.
SOLAR SIZING AND INVERTER EFFICIENCY
The inverter also has conversion losses.
These should be considered when estimating actual usable energy.
SOLAR SIZING AND CABLE LOSSES
Long cable runs can produce voltage drop and energy losses.
Appropriate cable sizing is therefore part of system design.
SOLAR SIZING AND SYSTEM LOSSES
The total system should include reasonable engineering allowances for real-world losses.
HOW TO SIZE A SIMPLE SOLAR SYSTEM
A simplified process is:
- List all appliances.
- Record their power ratings.
- Estimate daily operating hours.
- Calculate daily energy consumption.
- Identify the maximum simultaneous load.
- Identify backup loads.
- Determine desired backup duration.
- Estimate solar generation requirements.
- Select inverter capacity.
- Select battery capacity.
- Check panel and inverter compatibility.
- Design protection and wiring.
A professional installer then refines the design based on site conditions.
SIMPLE EXAMPLE
Suppose a household has essential loads consuming approximately 6 kWh during a typical day and wants several hours of battery backup.
The installer would determine:
How much of the 6 kWh occurs during daylight.
How much occurs at night.
What the maximum simultaneous load is.
Which appliances need backup.
How much solar generation is required.
How much battery energy is required.
This is more useful than simply asking for a generic "5 kW solar package."
WHY GENERIC SOLAR PACKAGES CAN BE WRONG
A package may be marketed as suitable for a "three-bedroom house."
But the number of bedrooms does not determine electricity consumption.
One three-bedroom home may use gas cooking and have no air conditioning.
Another may use electric cooking, electric water heating and several air conditioners.
Their solar requirements could be dramatically different.
SOLAR SIZING BY NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
Bedrooms can provide a rough indication of property size, but they should not be used as the primary sizing method.
Actual electrical consumption is more important.
SOLAR SIZING BY MONTHLY BILL
Electricity bills provide useful historical information.
However, the bill does not always reveal peak load.
A customer should provide appliance information as well.
SOLAR SIZING BY APPLIANCES
Appliance-based sizing provides a clearer picture of the system's electrical requirements.
SOLAR SIZING BY BACKUP REQUIREMENT
If backup is the primary objective, the system can focus on essential loads and desired duration.
SOLAR SIZING BY ENERGY BILL REDUCTION
If reducing electricity purchases is the primary objective, solar generation can be optimized around daytime consumption.
SOLAR SIZING BY OFF-GRID REQUIREMENT
Off-grid systems require greater attention to battery autonomy and solar generation during periods of low production.
SOLAR SIZING FOR CRITICAL LOADS
Critical loads should be identified separately.
These may include:
Medical equipment where appropriately designed.
Security.
Refrigeration.
Internet.
Lighting.
Water supply.
Communication equipment.
The system can prioritize these loads during outages.
SOLAR SIZING FOR NON-CRITICAL LOADS
Non-critical loads can be excluded from backup to preserve battery energy.
Examples may include:
Electric ovens.
Large heaters.
Some air conditioners.
High-power workshop tools.
Other optional equipment.
SOLAR SIZING FOR LARGE HOMES
Large homes should have a detailed load assessment.
The presence of multiple high-power appliances can significantly increase system size.
SOLAR SIZING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses can use a load list and electricity bills to estimate system requirements.
SOLAR SIZING FOR LARGE BUSINESSES
Large businesses should consider professional energy audits and detailed load profiles.
SOLAR SIZING FOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
Industrial systems require detailed engineering.
The installer should consider three-phase distribution, motor starting, production schedules, power quality and peak demand.
SOLAR SIZING FOR WATER PUMPING
Water pumping should be analyzed separately from general household consumption where practical.
SOLAR SIZING FOR IRRIGATION
Irrigation schedules can help determine how much solar energy is needed each day.
SOLAR SIZING FOR BOREHOLES
Borehole systems require both hydraulic and electrical calculations.
SOLAR SIZING AND BATTERY AUTONOMY
Battery autonomy describes how long the battery can support the intended loads without sufficient solar input or grid supply.
Longer autonomy requires more storage.
ONE-DAY AUTONOMY
A one-day autonomy design aims to provide sufficient stored energy for approximately one day of the selected loads under defined assumptions.
MULTI-DAY AUTONOMY
Off-grid systems may require more than one day of storage depending on weather patterns and reliability requirements.
SOLAR SIZING AND GENERATOR BACKUP
Where a generator is available, the battery and solar system may not need to provide extended autonomy.
The generator can provide backup when batteries reach a specified state.
SOLAR SIZING WITH GRID BACKUP
A grid-connected property can use the grid when solar and battery resources are insufficient.
This can reduce the amount of battery storage required.
SOLAR SIZING FOR HYBRID SYSTEMS
Hybrid systems offer flexibility because solar, batteries and grid electricity can work together.
SOLAR SIZING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Energy-management settings can influence system performance.
The inverter may be configured to prioritize solar, battery or grid power according to the customer's goals.
SOLAR SIZING AND LOAD PRIORITY
Some systems can prioritize certain circuits.
This is particularly useful during power outages.
SOLAR SIZING AND BATTERY PRIORITY
A system can be configured to preserve battery energy for important loads or specific periods.
SOLAR SIZING AND DAYTIME LOADS
Daytime loads can directly consume solar electricity.
This can reduce battery cycling.
SOLAR SIZING AND NIGHT LOADS
Night-time loads generally require battery or grid energy.
SOLAR SIZING AND ENERGY STORAGE
Battery storage should be selected according to actual energy requirements rather than inverter size alone.
SOLAR SIZING AND INVERTER POWER
The inverter should be sized according to the maximum expected simultaneous load and applicable surge requirements.
SOLAR SIZING AND SOLAR ARRAY
The solar array should provide enough energy to meet the intended daily consumption and recharge the battery where required.
SOLAR SIZING AND BATTERY RECHARGING
A battery that is heavily discharged every night must receive sufficient energy from solar to recharge during the following day.
If solar capacity is insufficient, the battery may remain partially charged.
SOLAR SIZING FOR DAILY CYCLING
Systems designed for daily battery cycling should carefully balance solar generation and battery capacity.
SOLAR SIZING AND BATTERY LIFE
Repeated deep discharge can affect battery life depending on the battery technology and manufacturer specifications.
Appropriate sizing can help manage battery cycling.
SOLAR SIZING AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Reducing unnecessary consumption can lower both solar and battery requirements.
SOLAR SIZING AND LED LIGHTING
LED lighting can significantly reduce lighting demand.
SOLAR SIZING AND EFFICIENT REFRIGERATION
Efficient refrigeration equipment can reduce daily electricity consumption.
SOLAR SIZING AND EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING
Energy-efficient air conditioners can reduce the size of the required solar system.
SOLAR SIZING AND ENERGY AUDITS
Energy audits are particularly valuable for large properties.
SOLAR SIZING AND COMMERCIAL ELECTRICITY BILLS
Commercial bills can help identify monthly consumption trends.
SOLAR SIZING AND INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICITY DATA
Industrial facilities can use interval data where available to understand demand patterns.
SOLAR SIZING AND FUTURE DEMAND
Solar design should consider whether the property's electricity consumption is likely to grow.
SOLAR SIZING FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
New buildings can be designed with future solar requirements in mind.
SOLAR SIZING FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
Existing buildings require assessment of both electrical and physical infrastructure.
SOLAR SIZING AND ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
The existing distribution board should be inspected.
The solar system must connect safely to the property's electrical infrastructure.
SOLAR SIZING AND CABLES
Cable sizes should correspond to current, voltage, distance and installation conditions.
SOLAR SIZING AND PROTECTION
The system requires appropriate electrical protection based on its architecture.
SOLAR SIZING AND EARTHING
Earthing requirements should be included in the design.
SOLAR SIZING AND MONITORING
Monitoring can help confirm whether the installed system is performing as expected.
SOLAR SIZING AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW
After installation, actual production and consumption can be compared with design expectations.
If the system consistently underperforms, the installer can investigate.
COMMON SOLAR SIZING MISTAKES
Common mistakes include:
Sizing only from house size.
Ignoring electric cooking.
Ignoring water heating.
Ignoring pumps.
Ignoring air conditioning.
Ignoring battery requirements.
Ignoring peak load.
Ignoring shading.
Ignoring roof space.
Using generic packages.
Ignoring future expansion.
Using unsuitable batteries.
Using an undersized inverter.
WHY HOUSE SIZE IS NOT ENOUGH
A larger house does not automatically consume more electricity than a smaller house.
Appliance selection and usage habits have a greater effect on electricity demand.
WHY MONTHLY BILL IS NOT ENOUGH
The bill shows energy consumption but does not necessarily reveal the maximum simultaneous load.
Peak load information is important for inverter selection.
WHY INVERTER SIZE IS NOT BATTERY SIZE
A 10 kW inverter does not necessarily require a 10 kWh battery.
Power and energy are different quantities.
The battery should be sized according to energy requirements and discharge capability.
WHY PANEL SIZE IS NOT BATTERY SIZE
A 5 kW solar array does not automatically require a particular battery size.
The correct battery depends on how much energy needs to be stored and when it will be used.
PROFESSIONAL SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
A professional solar assessment considers the complete energy system.
The installer examines:
Loads.
Consumption.
Peak demand.
Solar resource.
Roof space.
Battery requirements.
Inverter requirements.
Electrical infrastructure.
Future expansion.
SOLAR SIZING FOR NAIROBI
Homes and businesses throughout Nairobi can have very different electricity requirements.
The system should be designed according to the actual property.
SOLAR SIZING IN WESTLANDS
Apartments, offices and commercial properties in Westlands can have different solar requirements.
SOLAR SIZING IN KILIMANI
Apartment residents and commercial properties can benefit from customized solar designs.
SOLAR SIZING IN KAREN
Large homes in Karen may require substantial systems because of larger properties and higher appliance loads.
SOLAR SIZING IN RUNDA
Large residences and executive homes may require detailed load assessments.
SOLAR SIZING IN LAVINGTON
Solar systems can be designed according to the actual household consumption.
SOLAR SIZING IN KILELESHWA
Apartments and townhouses can use appropriately sized solar backup systems.
SOLAR SIZING IN KIAMBU
Residential and agricultural properties can require different configurations.
SOLAR SIZING IN NAKURU
Solar system size should reflect residential, commercial or agricultural requirements.
SOLAR SIZING IN KISUMU
Properties can be assessed according to their specific electrical requirements.
SOLAR SIZING IN MOMBASA
Solar systems in coastal environments should account for both energy requirements and environmental conditions.
SOLAR SIZING IN KAJIADO
Remote homes and farms may require larger battery autonomy where grid access is limited.
SOLAR SIZING FOR REMOTE AREAS
Off-grid systems require careful consideration of low-solar periods.
HOW TO REQUEST SOLAR SYSTEM SIZING
When requesting a solar quotation, provide:
Property location.
Type of building.
Monthly electricity bills.
Appliance list.
Desired backup duration.
Whether grid power is available.
Whether you need whole-house or essential-load backup.
Any future appliances.
Whether water pumping is required.
This information allows the installer to produce a more useful design.
FINAL GUIDE
The correct solar system size cannot be determined simply by asking how many bedrooms a house has or by selecting a standard package.
The system should be based on actual electrical consumption and the customer's objectives.
Daily energy consumption determines how much energy the solar system needs to generate.
Peak load determines how much instantaneous power the inverter must supply.
Battery requirements determine how much energy can be stored for later use.
Solar panel capacity determines how much photovoltaic generation is available.
The system must also account for sunlight, shading, roof space, temperature, cable losses, inverter losses and battery losses.
For a small home, the system may be designed around lighting, refrigeration, television, internet and other essential loads.
For a larger home, electric cooking, water heating, air conditioning, pumps and laundry equipment may substantially increase the required capacity.
For a business, operating hours and daytime energy consumption are important.
For a farm, pumps and agricultural equipment may dominate the load.
For a borehole, pump power and water requirements determine the system.
For an industrial facility, three-phase loads, motors, compressors and production equipment require detailed engineering.
A hybrid system can provide solar generation, battery storage and grid backup.
An off-grid system requires enough solar and battery capacity to operate without relying on the grid.
An on-grid system can focus on reducing grid electricity consumption but should not automatically be considered a backup system during outages.
The best approach is to conduct a proper site assessment and energy analysis before purchasing equipment.
For professional solar system sizing, solar panel selection, inverter selection, battery sizing, installation and maintenance in Kenya, contact 0723763173.