Examples

Practical question and answer examples showing how to use the PlugInSolar calculator.

Contents

1. How much could I save with plug-in solar?

Answer: Run a new analysis for your house. Enter your address, panel orientation and shading, and the calculator will estimate your annual generation, how much of your usage it covers, and your yearly saving. It also shows payback time for the kits we recommend.

2. Which way should my panels face?

Answer: In the northern hemisphere, south-facing panels (orientation 180°) capture the most sun. East- or west-facing panels still work well for plug-in solar because they produce power earlier or later in the day, which often matches household usage better than a south-facing burst at midday.

3. What tilt should I use?

Answer: For a balcony railing or wall-mounted kit, tilt is usually limited by where you can mount the panels. Vertical (90°) is common and still generates useful power. If you can choose, tilting at roughly your latitude maximises annual yield. Tick the “optimal tilt” option in the calculator and it will pick this for you automatically.

4. Do I need a battery?

Answer: Without a battery, surplus daytime solar is exported for free (this calculator assumes no feed-in tariff). A battery lets you store midday generation for use in the evening, increasing how much of your usage is covered. The results page shows both the solar-only and battery offset, so you can see the difference a battery makes before buying.

5. How much difference does shading make?

Answer: A lot. A nearby building, tree or even a railing shadow can cut a panel’s output by 30-60%. In the calculator, pick the shading option that matches your balcony. If you are choosing between two mounting positions, run the analysis with each shading level to see the impact on savings.

6. How does the calculator work?

Answer: Using your location, it models the sun’s path across the year and calculates hourly solar generation for your panel orientation and tilt. It compares that against a typical household usage profile for your number of bedrooms to estimate the share of your electricity bill covered by the kit. All solar is assumed to be used on-site with no feed-in tariff.

7. What happens in winter?

Answer: Generation drops sharply in winter because of shorter days and lower sun. The results heatmap shows each month, so you can see how much of your usage the kit covers in January versus June. Plug-in solar typically covers a much smaller share of usage in winter - treat it as a bill-reducer over the year rather than a winter energy source.

8. Is it cheaper to add panels or a battery?

Answer: Compare kit prices on the results page. Adding more panel wattage increases total generation, while a battery shifts generation to evening hours. If you are usually home in the evening, a battery can beat a larger array on payback. If you are out during the day, extra panels with no battery may suit you better.

9. Can I take my system when I move?

Answer: Yes - that is one of the appeals of plug-in solar. Kits mount on a balcony or wall without permanent fixtures and simply plug into a normal socket, so most systems can be unplugged, packed up and reinstalled at a new home. Save your analysis and reuse the “share” link to keep a record of the results for your new address.

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