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TL;DR
The kWh (kilowatt hour) is the unit of energy used to measure solar production and electricity consumption. 1 kWh = 1 000 W for 1 hour. Do not confuse with kWp (peak power). Your electricity bill is in kWh.
Definition
The kilowatt hour (kWh) is the unit of electrical energy. This is the energy produced or consumed by a 1 000 watt (1 kW) device for 1 hour. Distinct from kWp (peak power): kWh measures energy, kWp power.
Cons. average household
4 500–6 000 kWh/year
With PAC
+3 000–5 000 kWh/year
With EV (20 000 km)
+3 000–4 000 kWh/year
Average price CH
CHF 0.22–0.28/kWh
Fundamental relationship: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (h). A 400 Wp (0.4 kW) panel for 5 hours of peak sunshine produces 0.4 × 5 = 2 kWh. Please note: 5 hours of peak sun hours (5 'peak sun hours') ≠ 5 hours of sun — this is a standardized concept which integrates the variable intensity of radiation over the day.
Average Swiss electricity consumption: 4 500–6 000 kWh/year per household of 4 people (excluding electric heating or EV). With heat pump: +3 000–5 000 kWh/year. With EV (20 000 km/year): +3 000–4 000 kWh/year. Average Swiss tariff: CHF 0.22–0.28/kWh all inclusive.
Related guides
kWp = kilowatt-peak = unit of POWER (like the horsepower of an engine). kWh = kilowatt hour = unit of ENERGY (like liters of gasoline consumed). 1 kWp produces approximately 1 000–1 400 kWh per year in French-speaking Switzerland.
Between 8 000 kWh/year (Jura) and 11 200 kWh/year (Valais due south). The median in French-speaking Switzerland (Vaud, Geneva) is around 8 800–9 600 kWh/year for a south-facing orientation at 35° inclination.
Sources & method
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