It is important that you factor in these points before investing in your solar system. Get the right equipment without it underperforming after installation

Get yourself informed of the components in a solar PV system installation so when you are ready and in front of a solar agent, you know what you are talking about an understand the 'language' and terms.

Investing in a solar system is a smart solution for homeowners. The latest solar panels and photovoltaic (PV) systems are easy to install, maintain, and operate, with long-term performance and energy savings.

To make the most of your grid-tie solar system, you’ll want to know how to correctly size the system to cover your energy use patterns without over-sizing your PV array.

Follow these steps to learn how to get a sizing estimate, calculate your solar needs, and select the right panels to get the most benefit out of your solar installation.

Getting Started with Solar System Sizing

Before you begin to size a solar system, you’ll want to figure out the main constraints on the project and use those restrictions as the starting point for the design. You can approach the project from one of three angles:

• Budget constraints: Build a system within your target budget
• Space constraints: Build a system that is as space-efficient as possible
• Energy offset: Build a system that offsets a certain percentage of your energy usage

Take into consideration other sizing factors and common stumbling blocks that may impact how to size a solar system:

• Local levels of sun exposure
• Orientation of the array (tilt angle)
• Plans for future expansion
• Product efficiency ratings
• Natural degradation of performance over the life of the warranty

Once you’ve assessed your solar needs and established your approach to design, follow these steps to size a grid-tied solar system.