How we got these numbers →Why direction matters →
Typical plug-in kits cost $500–$1,500 (EnergySage). Enter your kit's price for an exact payback.
A typical sunny day
Hourly model for June, clock time. Always-on load is an assumption you can change.
- Used at home
- Sent to the grid
- Always-on load
What it covers
The 520 kWh a year you'd use at home is about 84% of what a typical main fridge uses in a year (617 kWh).
- This kit, used at home520 kWh
- Main fridge617 kWh
- Lighting654 kWh
- TVs and related632 kWh
- Ceiling fans227 kWh
- Dishwasher112 kWh
- Microwave107 kWh
- Clothes washer69 kWh
An energy comparison, not a promise: the kit only makes power in daylight, so it offsets this much use rather than running these all day and night. Typical yearly use per home that has each appliance, from EIA's 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (tables CE5.3a and CE5.3b).
Ways to waste less
A 400 W kit would make about 620 kWh and you'd use 72% of it: about $55 a year.
Model 400 W →A 1.6 kWh battery stores the afternoon surplus for the evening: about $125 a year, $61 more. Costs more up front.
Estimate Model with battery →Dishwasher and laundry around peak sun use power you'd otherwise give away.
Use your meter data
The always-on load above is an assumption. A Green Button file from your utility replaces it with your home's real hour-by-hour use.