Deep dive: Have you ever wondered about how the solar industry works? Here’s a closer look at the who’s who of the solar landscape. Solar panels have never been more affordable — or more straightforward to install. Whether you're driven by rising electricity bills or a desire to cut your carbon footprint, this guide walks you through every step of making the switch.

Assess your energy needs

Before you talk to a single installer, you need to know how much electricity your household actually consumes. This number drives every other decision — system size, number of panels, inverter capacity, and whether a battery makes financial sense.

Gather your electricity bills for the last 12 months (most utility providers let you download these from their app or website). Look for your monthly kWh usage, not the dollar amount — prices fluctuate, but usage tells the real story. Add up all 12 months and divide by 12 to get your average monthly consumption.

Your usage will almost certainly spike in summer (air conditioning) and winter (heating, shorter days). Don't just size your system for the average — note your peak month too. A well-designed solar system should comfortably cover your average, with the understanding that you'll draw a little from the grid on heavy-use days.

A typical home uses somewhere between 700–1,200 kWh per month. If you're below 700, a smaller 4–6 kW system will likely suffice. At 900–1,200 kWh, you're looking at a 6–10 kW system. Above that — large homes, EV charging, pool pumps — you may need 10 kW or more.

Planning to buy an electric vehicle? Adding a second fridge? Working from home full-time? Build these into your estimates now. It's far cheaper to size up slightly during installation than to expand the system later.


Decide what percentage of your bill you want solar to cover. Most homeowners aim for 80–100% offset. If you have good roof space and live in a sunny climate, 100% is realistic. If your roof has shading or limited space, targeting 70–80% is still a significant saving.

Going solar is one of the most impactful home upgrades you can make — financially and environmentally. The process is simpler than most people expect, and once those panels are up, the savings start from day one.