Three essential steps to get to net zero
In today’s world of soaring energy prices, solar panel systems have become an increasingly attractive solution for homeowners. However, clients don’t just want any solar panel system; they want one that perfectly fits their energy consumption needs. Enter the concept of a “net zero” solar panel system, a functional approach that ensures your solar setup produces as much energy as you consume annually. But how can you achieve this balance, and what are the steps to get there? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to designing a net zero solar panel system using Solar Monkey.
The search for net zero
With surging energy prices, a solar panel system on your roof has become increasingly attractive. With Solar Monkey, you can design a system that fits perfectly with the client’s needs. An example of this is creating a net zero system.
A net zero system is a solar panel system that produces as much (or more) energy as the client consumes annually. This is mainly due to the increased energy prices. Several countries use a net-metering scheme where net zero can be beneficial. For example, if during the year you feed 1000 kwh to the grid, since you had extra production, and you consumed 1200 kWh from the grid, when the solar energy was not enough (e.g. the night), then the electricity bill in the end will be only on the difference, 1200 – 1000 = 200. Usually, clients know their annual consumption, which means that with our design software, you can create a system that perfectly fits. This blog will tell you how you can do just that.
Step 1: start with the financial profile
First of all, you start with finding the client’s rooftop by entering their address into our software. Once found, you can select the roof and start building your design. When the consumption needs of your client are leading, it is wise to start with the financial profile. You want to create a system that perfectly fits the annual consumption level of your client. In the financial profile, you can first select the type of customer, which in this example would be B2C. Then, you can quickly fill out the client’s annual consumption and even set the client’s consumption profile. For instance, this could be the ‘double peak,’ where clients use the most energy in the mornings and evenings.
Step 2: easily draw and calculate your design
You can then start drawing the desired solar panel system based on the financial settings. In this example, the annual consumption of the client is 4500 kWh. After drawing 6 panels, you see that the annual production is 699 kWh is. Since you need another 3800 kWh you’ll have to add (3800/699) x 6 panels = roughly 33 panels to meet this goal. Now, you can add the construction, inverter, etc., to give your client a total overview of the costs to have a ‘net zero’ solar panel system design.
Step 3: a sustainable system that lasts for years
Overall, advising the client to opt for a slightly larger system can be beneficial if they request a ‘net zero’ design. In the coming years, electrical consumption will likely rise due to the increased popularity of electric cars and the overall consumption of consumers in general. Furthermore, if the client wants to get the most out of the solar panel system, putting as many panels on the roof as possible is wise. However, if the client requests a system design that matches their annual consumption, our software design makes it easy for you to do so.
Designing a net zero solar panel system has never been easier, thanks to Solar Monkey’s intuitive software. Whether you’re future-proofing a client’s energy needs or creating a system that matches their current consumption, our platform makes it simple to achieve solar success. Start designing sustainable solutions today and be part of the solar revolution.
Ready to design your net zero solar panel system? Sign up for Solar Monkey’s software and start creating efficient, sustainable solutions for your clients today!
