What Do Watts, Kilowatts, and Kilowatt-Hours Really Mean for Solar?

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June 11, 2025
New Blog: What Do Watts, Kilowatts, and Kilowatt-Hours Really Mean for Solar?
If you're looking into solar for your home, you've probably come across numbers like “10kW system” or “produces 12,000 kWh per year.” And if those numbers feel a bit abstract, you’re not alone.
 
We’ve been installing quality solar in Virginia since 2015, and just published a new article to break it all down in plain English. It covers the basics—what a watt is, how kilowatts and kilowatt-hours are different, and why it matters when comparing solar quotes.
 
We also touch on a common myth we hear all the time: that a higher wattage panel is always better. (Spoiler alert: it’s not.) What really matters is your total system size and how well it fits your roof—not how “beefy” each panel is on paper.
 
The post even explains how home battery storage works using real-world examples, like the FranklinWH aPower2, and how kilowatt-hours relate to how long your home can stay powered during an outage.
 
The goal? To help you feel confident in what you're looking at when you get a quote—and to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. We believe informed homeowners make the best solar decisions, and we’re here to help.
Contact:
Matt Powers
matt@virtuesolar.com, (540) 407-0961