Generating Electricity Cleanly

Performing an Energy Inventory

In order to buy the proper amount of equipment that will be used to generate electricity, you need to perform what is called an electrical energy inventory. To do this, you should list all the electrical devices that you think you will use. Then you need to estimate how much electricity each device will use. This is done by multiplying the power a device uses (in kilowatts) times the number of hours per day that you think you will use that device.

Every electrical device is required by law to have a label that states how much electricity that device will use. It may list the power requirement in watts, or it may list the voltage and current (in amps). If the watts are not listed, then calculate the power use by multiplying the voltage times the current. This gives you power in watts. Divide the watts by 1000 to get kilowatts.

Click on the link below and print a form to use for taking your electrical inventory. Then close that browser window and return to this one for instructions. 

1. The air conditioner is listed for you as an example. (It is a very small air conditioner!) List all the other electrical devices you might want to use (such as television, computer, Gameboy, etc.). Do not forget that you may want to recharge your cell phone and your IPod. Every device that is rechargeable will use electricity!

2. You must list 6 items in addition to the air conditioner. You may list as many as you think you would want to carry with you to your uncle's house for the summer.

3. After you list the items you will want to use, you need to determine their power requirements. Look for the labels on each item. Or, you may use the internet to get an estimate of the power requirements of different devices. One helpful site is this one:
   http://www.oksolar.com/technical/consumption.html#Top

4. Estimate the number of hours per day you may want to use the device. Remember, if your estimate is too low, you may run out of electricity!

5. Perform the calculations and add up the results in column 4. This is your daily power requirement.

Now that you know how much electricity your system needs to produce, it is time to size your system. Click on the link below to continue.