When you receive a solar quote, you’ll notice numbers like kW, kWh, kW DC, and kW AC. At first glance, these can feel like confusing technical jargon. Once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to read your quote with confidence and see exactly what your system will do for your Calgary home.
Power (kW) vs. Energy (kWh): The Simple Difference
- Power (kW): This is the size of your solar system. Kilowatts measure the system’s capacity, or how much electricity it could produce at one moment under ideal conditions.
- Energy (kWh): This is the amount of electricity actually produced or used over time. Kilowatt-hours measure what your system generates in a day, month, or year, and it is the same unit your electricity provider bills you in.
Example:
If you have a 10 kW solar system on your roof and it runs for 1 hour at full sun, it produces 10 kWh of energy. Over a sunny Alberta summer day, it might produce 30-50 kWh. There are many factors that will affect the output in kWh of the same system. Roof pitch, shading, and direction are some of the main ones. This is why two homes with the same system size in kW may produce very different amounts of energy in kWh.
What Does DC vs. AC Mean?
Your solar modules generate DC (direct current) electricity, but your home uses AC (alternating current). That is why every solar system includes inverters, which convert DC into usable AC power.
- kW DC = the total size of your solar system.
- kW AC = the amount of usable power after the inverter conversion.
Why This Matters in Calgary
Understanding these terms helps you see:
- How your system size (kW) translates into annual energy production (kWh).
- How your solar output offsets your electricity bill.
- Why sunny Alberta, with more sunshine hours than most of Canada, is one of the best places for solar.
Takeaway for Homeowners
- kW = system size (how big the system is).
- kWh = production (how much energy you get).
- kW DC vs. kW AC = before and after the inverter.
When you look at your SkyFire Energy quote, the kW tells you the system’s capacity and the kWh shows how much real energy it will produce for your home each year. Together, these numbers show how much you can save with solar.