When you're ready to make the transition to solar power, it's a great investment. However, you need to be sure of what you're getting and how many solar panels you'll actually need. Before you make the investment and find yourself with insufficient panels for the energy you need, take some time to do some calculation. Here's a look at what you need to think about.

How Much Power Do You Use?

You can't determine how much energy production you need without knowing how much you use. This is actually easier to find out than you might think. All you have to do is look at your monthly electricity bills. Look at several months of bills to see how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you've used. Average out the last six months or the last year to see how much you need.

It's often best to look at the entire year of the kilowatt-hour usage because your energy needs will change from the winter to the summer. Take that into consideration and make sure you're getting enough panels to meet your peak energy needs.

How Much Power Can The Panels Give You?

Once you know how much power you need on a regular basis, you then need to figure out how much power the solar panels will produce. There are quite a few factors to consider when you think about this, and it's often best to talk with a solar panel installer before you make any determinations.

The first thing to think about is how much sunlight your geographic region produces. It's often referred to as the solar insolation value, because some areas of the country get more sunlight than others. You can even measure the ambient sunlight in your area with the help of a solar professional.

You also need to consider the solar panel output. Different models of solar panels are rated for different wattages of solar production. Look at the production levels for the different panels you're considering and compare those with the amount of power you need to ensure that you're getting sufficient production.

Your roof's orientation is also important. Don't direct your solar panels to the north. They need to be facing the east, west, or south and in a position where they have a direct view of the sun. That ensures the best possible power output.

As you can see, there are a lot of things you should consider before you make the investment. With the right planning, you'll get just the power production you're looking for. Speak with solar installation experts for more information.