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This sounds like a nice idea but I would imagine either their electrical usage is _really_ low already or this is being given more praise than it deserves. Fro

by hk1337 2y ago

This sounds like a nice idea but I would imagine either their electrical usage is _really_ low already or this is being given more praise than it deserves. From the article, it seems like they're typically installing 2 - 300-watt solar panels. Most they can install is 800-watt without a certification. Apartments here in the US, at least where I am, have a typical usage of 300 - 800 kW, which is a lot more than 800 watts. Perhaps no A/C, using natural light more, fewer appliances attribute to a much lower monthly usage in Europe than they do in the US? If you can do it, then do it but I don't think it would be as worthwhile here in the US. *EDIT* I am likely thinking incorrectly on this. I am still skeptical of it being useful but not necessarily for that above.

raihansaputra 2y ago
Are you sure it's not 3.3 - 8kW installations? Or maybe it's 300 - 800 kWh energy usage per month? For comparison, Germany has 22kW capacity as standard for homes, and me in Indonesia gets by with AC, appliances, and 2.2kW car charging with a 5.5kW installation.
- hk1337 2y ago
  *EDIT* I could be mistaken. I went back and dug into it more. Perhaps, the main issue here in the US would be plugging into the grid.
voisin 2y ago
> Apartments here in the US, at least where I am, have a typical usage of 300 - 800 kW, which is a lot more than 800 watts. Isn’t this confusing usage with capacity? To compare them you have to multiply by efficiency and average sunlight hours. Still likely doesn’t fully coverage the high end of that use but the set of apartment usage would certainly have some overlap with the set of generating capacity of 800 watt panels.
rconti 2y ago
My entire house and car use about 950kWh per month!
Xt-6 2y ago
You can install a 800Wh installation without a certification. Your monthly usage is 300 - 800 kWh. In theory a 800Wh system can produce between 25kWh and 105kWh per month, depending on the location and month of the year.
stephen_g 2y ago
I think your numbers are something different (maybe a usage of 300 - 800 kWh per month?) My whole house peaks at about 3 kW but the average is between 500 W - 1200 W when heating or cooling, depending on the outside temperature. Right now the AC isn't on so the whole house is literally only pulling 120 W.

by hk1337 2y ago

raihansaputra 2y ago

Are you sure it's not 3.3 - 8kW installations? Or maybe it's 300 - 800 kWh energy usage per month? For comparison, Germany has 22kW capacity as standard for homes, and me in Indonesia gets by with AC, appliances, and 2.2kW car charging with a 5.5kW installation.

hk1337 2y ago
*EDIT* I could be mistaken. I went back and dug into it more. Perhaps, the main issue here in the US would be plugging into the grid.

voisin 2y ago

> Apartments here in the US, at least where I am, have a typical usage of 300 - 800 kW, which is a lot more than 800 watts. Isn’t this confusing usage with capacity? To compare them you have to multiply by efficiency and average sunlight hours. Still likely doesn’t fully coverage the high end of that use but the set of apartment usage would certainly have some overlap with the set of generating capacity of 800 watt panels.

rconti 2y ago

My entire house and car use about 950kWh per month!

Xt-6 2y ago

You can install a 800Wh installation without a certification. Your monthly usage is 300 - 800 kWh. In theory a 800Wh system can produce between 25kWh and 105kWh per month, depending on the location and month of the year.

stephen_g 2y ago

I think your numbers are something different (maybe a usage of 300 - 800 kWh per month?) My whole house peaks at about 3 kW but the average is between 500 W - 1200 W when heating or cooling, depending on the outside temperature. Right now the AC isn't on so the whole house is literally only pulling 120 W.