You can calculate the number of solar panels you will need with your energy usage, the amount of sunlight you get, and the wattage of the solar panels you choose. Contact online >>
You can calculate the number of solar panels you will need with your energy usage, the amount of sunlight you get, and the wattage of the solar panels you choose.
The formula for calculating how many solar panels you need = (Monthly energy usage ÷ Monthly peak sun hours) ÷ Solar panel output
The exact amount of solar panels needed for your home can vary with the characteristics of your roof, environmental factors, your local climate, your budget, your personal energy needs, and the size of your home.
Most homeowners need between 15 and 19 solar panels to cover their power needs. But how do you calculate the number of panels necessary to run your specifichome? Solar expert Ben Zientara breaks down the calculations in the video below, or you can read on to find out how to estimate the amount of solar panels that are right for you.
You can get an estimate of how many solar panels you need by using the following formula:
Let''s take a closer look at where you can find this information and how to use it to determine what solar system size is right for you in four easy steps!
Check your most recent power bill to see your monthly electricity consumption. The total amount of electricity used is usually shown at the bottom of the bill in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Your electricity usage is the biggest deciding factor in how many solar panels you need. If you use a lot of electricity, you''ll need more panels to cover the costs!
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, an average home in America uses about 886 kWh of electricity each month. That''s a monthly electric bill of about $135.
Remember that electricity usage can vary widely depending on your home, your habits, and where you live, so it''s essential to check your electricity bills to get the most accurate estimate possible!
Expert tip! Annual home electricity usage will give a more accurate estimate. If you have access to your electricity bills from the last 12 months, you can better understand how many solar panels you''ll need. Electricity usage varies significantly from month to month (think about cranking the AC in the summertime), so your most recent bill might not reflect your all-time-high electricity usage.
The amount of sunshine that hits your roof also plays a vital role in how many solar panels you need. Solar energy production is higher in sunnier states, meaning you''ll need to install fewer solar panels than those in overcast states.
How much sunlight an area gets is measured in peak sun hours. Sunny states like Arizona can get up to 210 peak sun hours monthly, while somewhere with more cloudy days, like Alaska, will only get 90 peak sun hours a month. The following map outlines the estimated monthly peak sun hours each state receives.
Now that you know your electricity usage and sun exposure, you can calculate the size of the solar system you need in kilowatts (kW). Simply divide your household electricity consumption by the monthly peak sun hours to find the right system size for your home.
If you''re interested in a specific solar panel model, you can find its wattage on its datasheet, where it will usually be labeled as maximum power, rated power, nominal power, or "Pmax".
Remember, for this calculation, you need to convert a panel''s power rating from watts to kilowatts by dividing the wattage by 1,000.
Why SolarReviews doesn''t use production ratio. You may have come across the idea of a production ratio on other websites. A solar production ratio assumes that you know the amount of energy a solar system generates and the total wattage of the system. If you already have this information, there are easier ways to calculate how many solar panels you need. Our formula doesn''t require you to have any specific details about the solar installation you''re trying to calculate for - it''s all based on information about your home and location.
Many things can impact the right number of solar panels for you, from your energy habits and roof characteristics to environmental factors and your personal solar goals and budget.
How much electricity you use has the biggest impact on how many solar panels you need. If you use a lot of electricity, you''ll need a lot of solar panels!
There are plenty of factors that impact your energy use. Energy consumption can vary with the size of your family, how energy-efficient your home is, the appliances you use, and the state you live in.
For example, a home with an electric stove, water heater, and clothes dryer will have a higher electricity bill than a home with gas appliances! Homes that utilize smart thermostats or have energy-efficient appliances may use less energy.
Install more solar panels to prepare for future electricity usage. Some homeowners oversee their solar panel installation to cover their future needs, like electrifying their home or purchasing an electric vehicle. Charging an electric car like a Tesla requires just five additional solar panels. Check with your utility to see if there are solar installation size limits.
Higher-wattage solar panels can produce more energy than lower-wattage solar panels. So, if you opt for a high-wattage panel, you can install fewer! The following table outlines how many solar panels you would need to cover an average household''s electricity usage, depending on the wattage of the panel:
Disclaimer! 250-watt solar panels are rarely used in new rooftop solar installations in 2024. You'll want to look for solar panels with a higher output to cover your basic electricity needs. 250 and 300-watt solar panels are useful in smaller-scale solar projects. Popular solar panel sizes are between 400 and 430 watts.
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