Solar & Battery Design Tools for United States Design Systems, Calculate ROI & Find Installers

Energy Usage

Understanding your household's daily energy consumption is essential for designing an effective solar system in the United States. The average US household uses between 35-45 kWh per day, with energy-efficient properties often using significantly less. This consumption reflects America's diverse climate, larger average home sizes, and lifestyle patterns, with higher usage during summer months for air conditioning in southern states and winter months for heating in northern states.

Before installing solar, consider reducing your energy consumption through improved insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and smart home technologies. This can lower the system size you need and improve your investment returns, especially important given varying solar generation potential across different US regions.

Note: Actual usage varies depending on property size, building efficiency, climate, and appliances.

Solar System Sizing

You'll need around 10.5kW of solar to match your average US household consumption. We recommend sizing between 15.8kW and 21.1kW for optimal results, accounting for daily and seasonal variations. Solar generation potential varies significantly across the US, with southwestern states averaging 5-6 kWh/kW/day annually, whilst northeastern states average 3.5-4.5 kWh/kW/day.

A 6.6 kW system in the United States generates approximately 27.7 kWh daily on average, with seasonal variation from 3.15 kWh/kW/day in December to 4.78 kWh/kW/day in August. The US offers excellent solar potential in many regions, making solar a viable investment across most states.

With solar-only (no battery), a 6.6 kW system provides approximately 50% self-usage in the United States, depending on your consumption patterns, drawing 50% from the grid. Adding a 10 kWh battery increases energy independence to approximately 62% annually, reducing grid reliance to 38%. Battery storage is valuable in the US, allowing you to store excess daytime generation for evening use and providing backup power during outages, maximising the value of your solar investment.

Net metering policies vary by state and utility, with 44 states offering some form of net metering. Feed-in rates typically range from 2-10 cents per kWh depending on your utility and state. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has been phased out, but many states offer additional incentives. For accurate battery savings and ROI calculations specific to your location and utility, use the full Photonik design tool.

Understanding Solar & Battery System Costs

A 6.6 kW solar system in the United States costs approximately $10,945, while adding a 10 kWh battery increases the total to around $15,481. US solar installation costs average around $3-4 per watt, higher than Australia but competitive globally, with costs varying significantly by state and installer. Solar-only systems typically pay for themselves in around 6.3 years in the United States, whilst adding battery storage usually extends payback but significantly improves energy independence. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has been phased out, but many states offer tax credits, rebates, and net metering programs that improve returns.

The cost breakdown shows estimates for equipment costs, installation labour, and applicable taxes. Adjust system size and battery storage to see how it affects total investment and payback periods. The US has excellent installer coverage nationwide, with NABCEP-certified installers operating in all states, providing competitive pricing and quality installations.