Step 1 - Select the size of your PV System in KW

Choosing the size of your PV system (in KW) can be based on a number of factors. An important factor is your budget. Typical price of a Grid-Tie system can range from 6-10 $/Watt. In some locations, such as California, it may make financial sense to build a system that provides your peak-power requirements. If your location has a tiered pricing structure for your electricity consumption, you might want to consider generating your own power above a tier where the cost of electricity produced by your PV panels is equal to or less than the commercial rate of power.

Another important consideration is your location and the availability of "Clear Roof Space" or otherwise mounting space for the PV Array. Most PV Panel catalogs specify the size of the panel and you can quickly estimate how many panels you can accommodate on your roof which will help determine the size of the PV system you can install.

Choose the size of the system you want to design before you go to the next step. By determining the size of the system in KW and selecting a PV manufacturers Panel model, you can quickly calculate the number of panels needed for your system.

• Step 0: Determine the Solar Hours of your location
• Step 1: Select the size of the PV System in KW to be designed and pick a PV Module
• Step 2: Configure your PV Array
• Step 3: Select the right Inverter for your system
• Step 4: Calculate and select BOS components