According to the SEIA, it’s now 60% cheaper to implement a solar installation than it was 10 years ago. That’s thanks to innovations in solar panel technology as well as increasing demand for sustainable energy sources.
Are you among the thousands of people considering a solar installation? Are you wondering if your home’s roof can support enough panels for your electricity needs?
If so, you’re probably most concerned with issues like how many solar panels do I need, and how big is a solar panel anyway?
Here’s a concise solar panel guide to help you figure it all out.
How Big Is a Solar Panel? Size and Weight Explained
What Is a Solar Panel?
To understand how its size affects your installation, it’s vital to know a little about the basic components of this technology.
Most solar panels comprise silicone crystal slivers, also called solar cells. Each call usually consists of several layers of silicon with two semiconductors in the center.
These cells generate electricity when exposed to particles of light.
Solar panels contain an arrangement of solar cells, sealed in a slim metal or plastic box with a glass cover. In general, the more cells a solar panel has, the more electricity it can produce.
This does depend on the efficiency of each cell that makes up the PV panel. Solar cell efficiency ranges from 19% to 22%.
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How Big Is a Solar Panel for Home Use?
Solar cell dimensions are always 6×6 inches and most residential solar panels have 60 solar panels arranged in a grid of 10×6 solar cells.
That means the average solar panel for residential use is 65 inches by 39 inches, which translates to 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet or 17.6 square feet. Solar panels designed for commercial use are much larger, with at least 72 solar cells, and can be as long as six feet.
Each residential solar panel can produce around 250 to 400 watts of electricity per hour. So keep this in mind when calculating how many you’ll need to produce sufficient electricity for your home.
The type of solar panel you choose affects its efficiency and size, too. WA polycrystalline panel is capable of producing 365 watts per hour, weighs 49 pounds, and covers an area of 21.32 square feet.
An equally efficient monocrystalline panel covers only 20.07 square feet and weighs 45 pounds.
See blueravensolar for more information on the most efficient solar panels for home use.
Based on the above measurements, a 10 kW solar installation will measure 580 square feet and weigh 1260 pounds. That a lot of strain on your roof’s infrastructure.
So, it makes sense to choose the most efficient solar panels you can find, although you might pay a little more for them.
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Get the Best Panel Tips
When you work with a qualified and experienced solar installer, you don’t need to concern yourself with questions like, “how big is a solar panel?”
These experts can offer all the best advice on choosing solar panels to meet your needs and will ensure you invest in the best PV panels you can afford.
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