Big Frog Mountain Solar Power Resource
Big Frog Mountain BFM
Sun Energy
ENERGY CALCULATORS
Load Requirement Worksheet

Appliance

Voltage x Amps = Watts
 Computer monitor 120 x 1.2 = 144
           
           
           
           
           

solar energy worksUse the above formula to find the power consumed by every appliance, light, or motor (even if you have to call the manufacturer).  Or, better yet, use our Power Consumption Reference Guide

Put the information on a sheet like below and submit to us, either by an e-mail message or print it & fax it; and we will finish the calculations and make recommendations on how you may reduce your power usage. 

It may be helpful to carry around a sheet like this while making notes. Without writing down the power requirements for the loads you wish to run, there is no way of determining even an estimated cost. There is no 'average' that gives any useful information about what your specific needs will require. The square footage of a house or building does not enter into our calculations, only the location, amount of power used on average and the peak load are useful to determine general system size and costs.

AC Appliance

Watts x Hours Used
per Day 
Watt Hours
per Day
No. of Days
per Week
 Computer monitor 144 x 4 = 576 5
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If you are only looking into a solar electric system to simply REDUCE your power bills, a utility intertied system may be what you need. These systems do not require the above calculations. Instead, these systems are based on your allowed budget to determine system size. These net metering systems feed power back to the utility. Generally speaking, an average 2kw residential system will run roughly $20k. If you live in the Chattanooga, TN region, TVA will provide a rebate check of $1,000 upon tying into the grid, and current tax incentives allow users to write off 30% of the total cost of solar upgrades, thus taking the overall cost down to roughly $13k or less for a 2kw residential system.

If you're needing a stand-alone, independent power system, please read the following:
  • Without writing down the power requirements for the loads you wish to run, there is no way of determining even an estimated cost.
  • There is no 'average' that gives any useful information about what your specific needs will require. A site analysis by an experienced and licensed professional will be required to determine your home's needs. Please call the office in Chattanooga, TN if you're in the area and are interested in having a site analysis done.
  • The square footage of a house or building does not enter into our calculations, only the location, amount of power used on at site per day and the peak load are useful to determine general system size and costs.

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ENERGY STAR qualified products use less energy than conventional products. And money isn't all you're saving by purchasing products that use less energy, you're also helping to save the environment. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Big Frog Mountain is proud to offer you products with the ENERGY STAR label. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov


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Big Frog Mountain Corporation
3821 Hixson Pike
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415
(423) 265-0307 M-F 9-5 Eastern
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