Want to Go 100% Solar? Here’s What You’ll Need
Tired of utility rate hikes? Solar panels offer a way out. But can they really power your whole house?
The short answer is yes. But it takes the right system.
At Taylor Energy, we’ve helped hundreds of Sonoma County homeowners dramatically reduce their reliance on the electric grid with solar power.
Here’s what to keep in mind if you're aiming for 100% solar.
What Does “100% Solar” Really Mean?
When people say they want to go “100% solar,” they usually mean one of two things:
Going Off Grid
An off-grid solar system is not connected to the electric grid. It provides all of the electricity your home uses with zero reliance on the electric grid.
But off-grid systems are complicated and expensive to install. They require large battery banks, backup generators, and precise load management. And if something goes wrong, you won’t have access to electricity.
We don’t recommend off-grid solar panels for most homes in Sonoma County, and we don’t install them.
Covering All of Your Electricity Usage with Grid-Tied Solar
This is the more common—and practical—goal. Grid-tied solar panels can be sized to cover 100% of your electricity consumption, but they maintain a grid connection. This way, your house will run primarily on solar energy, but you’ll still be able to use grid power if you need it.
What You Need to Power Your Whole House with Solar
Here’s what it takes to run your house fully on solar energy without going off-grid.
The Right Size System
Your solar system needs to generate enough electricity to match your home’s total usage. To achieve this, we analyze a full year of your electric bills and size your system based on how much electricity you use.
Battery Backup
Since solar panels only produce power when the sun’s out, battery storage is key to making solar work around the clock. Batteries store the excess electricity your solar panels generate during the day so you can use it at night or during a power outage.
Good Sunlight Access
Solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work, but the more sunlight your roof gets, the easier it will be to go 100% solar. South-facing roofs with minimal shade typically perform best, but east- and west-facing options can work well too.
However, even if you don’t get enough sunlight to cover 100% of your electricity usage with solar energy, solar is worth it. We’ll help you offset as much of your usage as possible, reducing your reliance on the electric grid, your fossil fuel consumption, and your electric bills.
All-Electric Appliances
To truly power your whole house with solar, everything in your home needs to run on electricity, including heating, hot water, and cooking.
That said, solar is still worth it if you have gas appliances. We’ll design a system that covers 100% of your electricity usage, offsetting a major cost, even though you’ll still rely on gas for some appliances. If you’re planning to electrify in the future, we’ll set your system up for easy expansion so you can add more panels when you need them.
Ready to Go Solar? Let’s Build the Right System for Your Home
Going 100% solar is absolutely possible, and we’ll size your system to match your electricity usage as closely as possible. But you don’t have to use exclusively solar power to see big benefits. Whether you cover all or part of your usage, solar will save you money, reduce your reliance on the grid, and lower your carbon footprint.
Let’s make your 100% solar home a reality! Call (707) 785-8497 today for a free consultation and estimate.
Residential Solar
Get a free estimate for residential solar panel installation in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, and surrounding areas. We are a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer!
Rebates & Incentives
Save on your solar panel and solar battery installation with California solar incentives. Schedule a free solar consultation with Taylor Energy to learn more about the incentives you’re eligible for.
Commercial Solar
Cut operating costs and increase profit margins with commercial solar panels. Schedule your free commercial solar consultation with Taylor Energy today. We can help you find a solar solution that works for your business.