For landed homeowners in Singapore, solar panels offer a smart way to reduce electricity bills and live more sustainably. But the key to maximizing benefits lies in choosing the right system size. This article helps you understand how to assess your household energy use and roof space to find the perfect solar setup.
TL;DR
- Find your home’s monthly electricity usage (kWh) from your utility bills.
- Estimate solar output using Singapore’s average 4–5 peak sunlight hours daily.
- Calculate system size by dividing consumption by daily sunlight hours.
- Make sure your roof can fit the required panels (about 8–30 panels for 3 to 12 kW).
- Consider shade, panel orientation, and future household energy needs.
1. Understand your energy consumption
Start by reviewing your electricity bill or SP Group app to get your average monthly electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Singapore households generally use between 350 and 550 kWh monthly, but this varies with family size and lifestyle.
2. Solar panel output and roof space
Each solar panel typically generates 300-400 watts (W) under peak conditions. Singapore’s tropical climate gives about 4 to 5 peak sunlight hours per day, so a 400W panel produces approximately 1.6 kWh daily. Panels usually measure about 1.65m by 1m, so you need to check your available unshaded roof space for how many panels fit comfortably.
3. Practical considerations
- Roof shading from trees or buildings reduces panel output.
- South-facing roofs capture sunlight best; east or west can work with slight efficiency trade-offs.
- Slightly oversizing your system can offset future changes and panel aging.
- Singapore’s grid supports exporting excess solar power via net metering, encouraging efficient use.
4. Professional assessment
Hiring experts like Eigen Energy to perform an on-site assessment and energy analysis ensures your system is tailored optimally to your roof and consumption pattern, maximizing savings and sustainability. For information, these articles might interest you: 10 questions to ask your home solar installer in Singapore , How to Get Solar Quotes: A Step-by-Step Guide
FAQ - how to determine your home solar size
Q: Can I install solar on any roof?
A: Most roofs are suitable, but shading, orientation, and structure affect output. Professional site assessments help.
Q: How many panels do I need for a typical landed home in Singapore?
A: Usually between 8 to 30 panels depending on energy use and roof space, roughly 3 kW to 12 kW systems.
Q: What if I use more energy in future?
A: You can size systems to accommodate expected growth or add panels later, depending on your inverter.
Q: Does Singapore’s weather affect solar efficiency?
A: Occasional cloudy days reduce output, but the system works effectively year-round thanks to tropical sunlight levels.
Q: Is net metering available in Singapore?
A: Yes. It credits you for surplus energy fed back into the grid, improving your overall savings.
Ready to power your home with Singapore’s clean, renewable solar energy? Contact Eigen Energy for a free site assessment and personalized solar system design to maximize your savings and environmental impact.
