Greater solar availability
12 solar hours
12 hours covered by solar production and 12 hours with an average grid draw of 300 W.
Estimated savings: $444.89 · 92.5%
Estimate savings CONVENTIONAL VS. SOLAR A/C
Savings continue throughout the year.
We compare a 12,000 BTU air conditioner operating 24 hours a day for 30 days, using a summer scenario and a more conservative winter scenario.
Puerto Rico reference rate: 33.4¢ per kWh
INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL TOOL · 12,000 BTU
Calculate your estimated savings.
Adjust the controls to compare a conventional air conditioner with a solar unit under the same operating schedule.
System capacity12,000 BTUInitial model based on available test data
This example uses an average conventional draw of 2.0 kW and stabilized solar-system grid draw of 300 W outside solar-covered hours.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY COMPARISON
Conventional A/C$480.961,440 kWh
Solar A/C grid cost$36.07108 kWh
Estimated monthly savings$444.8992.5%
Estimated annual savings$5,338.66
12 h of operation covered by solar · 12 h outside solar coverage
Educational estimate only; not a savings guarantee. Assumes the unit operates during the available solar-production window. Actual results depend on weather, shade, orientation, temperature setting, equipment, installation, maintenance, rate and usage.
TWO EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND SCENARIOS
More solar hours or fewer solar hours.
The solar system continues to provide a significant reduction in electricity purchased from the grid.
$36.07 per month
Conservative scenario
8 solar hours
8 hours covered by solar production and 16 hours with an average grid draw of 300 W.
Estimated savings: $432.86 · 90%Conventional air conditioner$480.96 per month
Average consumption used in this example: 2.0 kW during all 24 hours.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCE
Even with four fewer solar hours, this example maintains close to 90% savings.
The estimated difference between the summer and winter solar scenarios is only $12.03 per month.
What does “solar hour” mean?
It does not simply mean daylight between sunrise and sunset. It represents an hour when the panels produce enough energy to cover the air-conditioning operation described in this example.
Summer
Days generally provide a wider window of useful solar production.
Winter
The production window may be shorter, so we also show a conservative calculation.
Educational example, not a savings guarantee. Assumes continuous operation for 30 days, average conventional consumption of 2.0 kW, stabilized grid draw of 300 W outside solar hours, and a reference rate of $0.334/kWh. Actual results vary with weather, shade, panel orientation, temperature setting, equipment, installation, maintenance, electric rates and usage.
YOUR PROPERTY IS DIFFERENT