How Much Power Does a Home Really Need? A Simple Guide Before Going Solar

When homeowners start thinking about switching to solar, one of the first questions they ask is:
“How much power do I actually need?”

It’s a smart question — because the size of your solar system determines everything:
✔️ How much you save
✔️ How many panels you need
✔️ What battery capacity is required
✔️ How reliable your home will be during outages

At Electric Factory, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners build the right-sized system for their lifestyle — especially in locations where off-grid reliability is a must.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know before choosing the perfect solar setup for your home.

1. Understand Your Home’s Energy Usage (kWh)

Your monthly electric bill is the easiest place to start. It shows your energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

• Small home / low usage: 200–400 kWh per month
• Average home: 500–900 kWh per month
• Large home / high usage: 1,000+ kWh per month

But in many tropical and island homes, usage can be higher because of:
• Air conditioning
• Multiple fridges or freezers
• Water pumps
• Pool pumps
• Dehumidifiers

The more kWh you consume, the bigger the solar system you’ll need.

2. How to Calculate Your Ideal Solar System Size

A simple formula can give you an estimate:

Monthly kWh ÷ 30 days = daily kWh usage

Then,

Daily kWh ÷ 4–5 (sun hours) = system size needed (kW)

Most Caribbean homes experience around 4–5 peak sun hours daily, depending on roof location and shade.

Example:

If your home uses 900 kWh per month:

• Daily usage = 900 ÷ 30 = 30 kWh/day
• Solar size needed = 30 ÷ 4.5 ≈ 6.6 kW system

This means you’d typically need 16–18 solar panels depending on wattage.

3. What About Batteries? How Much Storage Do You Need?

Battery storage is essential if you want:
✔️ Reliable backup power
✔️ Nighttime energy use
✔️ Full off-grid living
✔️ Protection during outages and storms

A good baseline is:

• 5–10 kWh: Essentials backup (lights, fridge, WiFi)
• 20–30 kWh: Whole-home nighttime power
• 40+ kWh: Large homes or full off-grid independence

Most families in the USVI choose 20–30 kWh for comfortable, uninterrupted power.

4. Appliances That Affect Your Solar Size the Most

Some appliances consume far more energy than others. The biggest energy users include:

• Air conditioning units
• Electric water heaters
• Clothes dryers
• Pool pumps
• Old refrigerators
• Pumps and pressure systems

If you use these often, you may need a larger solar system or additional battery capacity.

5. System Size Recommendations (Quick Reference Guide)

Here are common system sizes we install at Electric Factory:

Your exact numbers will still depend on lifestyle, appliances, and future plans (EV, pool, AC upgrades, etc.).

6. Why System Sizing Matters More in the Caribbean

Living in the islands means your solar system needs to handle:

🌪️ Stronger storms

Panels, mounts, and batteries must be engineered for hurricane-prone regions.

⚡ Frequent power outages

Sizing for reliability is crucial — not just for savings.

☀️ High year-round sun exposure

A well-sized system ensures maximum energy harvest.

This is why Electric Factory custom-designs every system based on real household needs, not generic templates.

7. Let Electric Factory Build the Right Solar System for You

Choosing the right solar system shouldn’t feel overwhelming — and it doesn’t have to be.

At Electric Factory, we:
✔️ Analyze your real usage
✔️ Assess your roof layout
✔️ Review your appliances
✔️ Design a custom solar + battery setup
✔️ Ensure generator-ready compatibility (if needed)
✔️ Build hurricane-rated systems that last

Whether you want lower bills, greater reliability, or full independence, we can design the perfect system for your home.

Ready to find out how much solar your home needs?

Get a free, no-pressure energy assessment today.
Let us build a system that fits your lifestyle — and keeps your home powered, day and night.