Zebra Electrics Knowledge
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Solar increases your home value footprint
A growing body of evidence points to Solar’s potential to add value to homes. The increase in value will be greater in the near future, as solar becomes more commonplace and part of the standard features of homes and the savings potential of solar becomes more evident.
Berkeley Labs
Berkeley Labs found home solar increases the value of a home by $3.00 per system watt. So a system with 10 kW will, according to this analysis, increase $30,000 in value. BTS’s current cost of installing 10 kW of solar on a typical house is $19,240, after Federal incentives.
Global Trends Zillow
According to a recent Zillow study solarized homes sell 4.1% more on average.
The Appraisal Institute of America
Homes increase $20 in value for every $1.00 in annual energy savings that solar can provide.
U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative
The SunShot Initiative runs a website, PVValue.com, that will estimate the value increase of a solar home based on the specified system.
Solar MAth , How To save and invest your solar gains
Benefits of a Battery system BESS
A regular refrigerator typically consumes between 100-400 watts per hour, with modern energy-efficient models using around 150-200 watts on average.
Let’s calculate using a typical refrigerator consuming 200 watts:
1. First, convert watts to kilowatts:
* 200 watts = 0.2 kilowatts
2. Calculate how many hours the 120 kWh “BESS ( Battery Energy Storage System) ” can power the refrigerator:
* 120 kWh ÷ 0.2 kW = 600 hours
This means a 120 kWh BESS could theoretically run a typical refrigerator for:
* 600 hours = 25 days
However, it’s important to note:
– Refrigerators don’t run continuously; they cycle on and off
– Most refrigerators actually run about 30-50% of the time
– So in real-world usage, the 120 kWh BESS
might power a refrigerator for 40-50 days
Keep in mind that in practical applications, you wouldn’t typically use a BESS solely for a refrigerator – it would usually power multiple appliances or systems simultaneously.
Solar MAth , How To save and invest your solar gains
Air Conditioner
Let me help you estimate the electricity consumption for an air conditioner in Kenya, considering local factors:
For a average 3-bedroom house in Kenya:
1. Typical AC unit size: 18,000-24,000 BTU (1.5-2 ton)
2. Power consumption: 1,500-2,400 watts per hour
Calculating for a 2-ton (24,000 BTU) AC:
* Power consumption: ~2,200 watts = 2.2 kW
* Average daily usage in Kenya: 8-12 hours (due to hot climate)
* Daily consumption: 2.2 kW × 10 hours = 22 kWh
* Monthly consumption: 22 kWh × 30 = 660 kWh
Factors affecting consumption:
1. Temperature setting (lower settings use more power)
2. Outside temperature (hotter weather = more power)
3. Room insulation
4. AC efficiency rating
5. Kenya’s climate zones (coastal areas like Mombasa use more than highland areas like Nairobi)
Cost estimate (using Kenya Power rates):
* Current domestic rate: ~Ksh 25 per kWh
* Monthly AC cost: 660 kWh × Ksh 25 = Ksh 16,500 approximately
Tips to reduce consumption:
1. Use energy-efficient inverter ACs
2. Set temperature to 24-26°C (more efficient)
3. Improve room insulation
4. Regular maintenance
5. Use fans when possible
6. Close windows and doors when AC is running
Solar MAth , How To save and invest your solar gains
Average Power Bill
In Kenya, the average household electricity bill varies significantly based on location and usage patterns, but I’ll break down typical consumption:
Average Household Bill Components:
1. Basic household consumption (3-bedroom house):
– Lighting: 100-200 kWh
– TV/Electronics: 100-150 kWh
– Refrigerator: 100-150 kWh
– Water heater (if present): 150-200 kWh
– Small appliances: 50-100 kWh
Total monthly consumption: 500-800 kWh
Cost Breakdown (approximate):
* Current Kenya Power rates (as of April 2024):
– Energy charge: ~Ksh 25 per kWh
– Fixed charge: ~Ksh 200
– Fuel levy and other charges: Variable
– VAT: 16%
Average Monthly Bill Ranges:
– Low consumption household: Ksh 2,000-4,000
– Medium consumption household: Ksh 4,000-8,000
– High consumption household: Ksh 8,000-15,000+
Factors affecting bills:
1. Location (urban vs rural)
2. Number of appliances
3. Type of appliances (energy efficiency)
4. Usage patterns
5. Presence of heavy-consumption devices (water heaters, AC)
6. Time of use (peak vs off-peak)
Note: These are approximate figures and actual bills can vary significantly based on specific household circumstances and current tariff rates.