How To Size A 3kW Solar System: A Quick Guide

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Please note that sizing a solar system involves many factors, including Voltage and Amperage for each component. This guide is meant for anyone who is not technical to size their system. However, professionals must always be consulted to size your system correctly.

Step 1: Determine if a 3kW Inverter is Enough for Your Needs

Common appliances to power: TV, fridge, lights

Total power needed: Add up the wattage of all appliances running at the same time. For example.

TV is 100-200 watts

Fridge is 150-800 watts

Lights are 10-60 watts per light

Example Calculation: TV (200W x 1) + Fridge (400W x 1) + Lights (10W x 6) = 660W

If the total is less than 2500 watts, then a 3kW inverter should be enough.

So in this case a 3KW system inverter is definitely more than enough with ample room for more appliances.

Step 2: Battery Backup for Night Use

Battery size needed: Typical backup should be enough to last 4 hours.

Therefore Calculate the total wattage for 4 hours.

Example: TV (200W x 4h) + Fridge (400W x 4h) + Lights (60W x 4h) = 2640 watt-hours (2.64 kWh)

So choose a battery with at least 2.64 kWh (2640 Watts per hour) capacity.

Step 3: Solar Panels Needed

Panel rating: Our Canadian Solar panels are each rated as 555W.

You can use the size of the battery as a guide for how many panels you need.

Therefore Total panels: 2640W / 555W per panel ≈ 4 panels

That's it! You now know whether your inverter is big enough, the size of the battery you are going to need for at least 4 hours of backup plus the number of solar panels.

Using the above methodology you can size other systems as well. However, as mentioned, this is not a technical way to size your system but merely a guide you can use.

We hope this helps!

Now let the sun do it's magic!

~ ZaChe Team

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