Here’s What It Takes to Go Fully Solar in 2025
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is:
“Can solar power my entire house?”
The short answer? Yes — but it depends on your energy usage, available roof space, and whether or not you include battery storage.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what’s required to power your entire home with solar, how batteries fit into the equation, and what you need to know to make it happen.
🏡 Step 1: Know How Much Energy You Use
To power your home completely with solar, the first step is understanding your annual electricity usage, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Here’s a rough estimate of typical energy usage:
| Home Size | Monthly Usage (kWh) | Annual Usage (kWh) |
| Small (1–2 people) | 500–750 kWh | 6,000–9,000 kWh |
| Medium (family of 3–4) | 900–1,300 kWh | 11,000–16,000 kWh |
| Large (5+ people, pool, EV, etc.) | 1,500–2,500+ kWh | 18,000–30,000+ kWh |
🔎 You can find this info on your electric bill or let us run a free usage analysis.
☀️ Step 2: Determine System Size & Roof Space
Once we know your usage, we can calculate the system size needed to offset 100% of your bill.
Example:
If you use 12,000 kWh/year, you’ll likely need a 9–10 kW system — that’s around 20–24 solar panels depending on panel efficiency.
🏠 A medium-sized roof with good sun exposure is usually enough to power a full home.
🔋 Step 3: Add Battery Storage (If You Want Full Control)
If you want your home to run on solar even at night or during outages, you’ll need battery storage.
Why?
- Solar panels only produce power during the day
- Batteries store extra power for use when the sun goes down
- They also protect you from utility rate spikes during peak hours (especially under NEM 3.0)
Most homes need 1–2 batteries (like a Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery) to comfortably cover evening usage or short outages.
⚡ Grid-Tied vs. Off-Grid
Most California homes remain grid-tied, meaning:
✅ You use solar first
✅ The grid supplies backup power when needed
✅ You may export excess power and earn credits (Net Metering)
Want to be 100% off-grid? It’s possible, but you’ll need:
- A larger solar system
- More battery capacity
- Backup generator (optional but recommended)
This setup is best for rural homes or those seeking full energy independence.
💰 What About the Tax Credit?
Good news: The 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) is still available in 2025 — but it could be reduced or eliminated if proposed federal legislation like the “BEAUTIFUL Act” passes.
Now is the best time to go solar while incentives are still in place.
✅ So, Can Solar Power Your Whole House?
Absolutely — and many of our customers already do. With the right combination of panels, battery storage, and smart design, you can:
✔️ Cover 100% of your annual energy needs
✔️ Lower or eliminate your electric bill
✔️ Maintain power during outages
✔️ Future-proof your home for EVs and electrification
🚀 Ready to Design Your Whole-Home Solar System?
At Aicon Solar, we customize every system to fit your home, lifestyle, and goals. Whether you’re looking to reduce your bill or go fully off-grid, we’ll build the system that’s right for you.
📩 Schedule your free home energy consultation today.