Solar panel how much do i need

Conventional solar panels usually produce about watts per panel, with varying levels of efficiency. In contrast, SunPower panels are known to be the most efficient solar panels on the market. So that average U. If you have a small or unusually shaped roof, solar panel size and numbers are important considerations. With a large usable roof area, perhaps you can sacrifice some efficiency and buy more larger panels at a lower cost per panel to get to your target energy output.

Typical residential solar panel dimensions today are about 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5. SunPower panels are These dimensions have remained more-or-less unchanged for decades, but the efficiency and output from that same footprint have changed dramatically for the better. In addition, SunPower designs entire systems to have virtually no gaps between panels and uses invisible framing and mounting hardware to keep the rooftop footprint as tight, efficient and attractive as possible.

For comparison, at the top end of the range some conventional panels weigh as much as 50 pounds. Knowing the answers to the above questions will give you an idea of the ideal number of panels for your electricity generation needs — or at least a realistic range. To get started, check out our solar calculator , which can help you figure out how much you might save going solar.

How Home Solar Panels are Installed. Interested in high efficiency solar panels for your home? Contact SunPower for more information. Homeowners Track your energy and count your savings Homeowners Login. Ready to start saving? Set up a free online appointment today.

Do you own a home? Yes No. What is your average monthly electricity bill? Company Optional. Most people want to save money while minimizing their environmental impact. How much solar power will you need? How many watts do you currently use? Request a free quote today to determine how many panels you could need to see potential savings or learn more about how solar panels work on your home.

New customers only. You are still responsible for paying your monthly loan to your lender. Rebate not applied toward your loan by us. Allow wks. The amount of power available from the battery during a power outage is limited, depending on the loads connected, customer usage and battery config.

No assurances can be given that the solar system or battery will always work. You should never rely upon either to power life support or other medical devices. To qualify, you must have federal income tax liability at least equal to the value of the tax credit.

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Text message frequency varies. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for assistance. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Your physical location is a key factor that impacts the efficiency of your home solar panels. As you might expect, solar systems are best suited for sunny areas -- which is why solar is incredibly popular in states like California and Arizona.

With more sunshine, each of your individual solar panels will generate more power. For our calculations, we'll assume that you get four hours of sunshine per day. The location of your home isn't something that you can change, but it's still important to recognize that your region plays a role in how well solar will work for you.

In short, your panels will operate at maximum capacity when they can absorb the most possible sunlight. But this isn't just about where you live -- it's also about how your particular property is laid out and how much sunlight reaches your roof.

For instance, if you have tall trees that create shade over your roof, your solar panels won't produce as much power as if they were under clear skies. With those variables in mind, we can roughly estimate the number of solar panels for home that you'll need.

In this example, we'll use the average annual energy consumption, solar panel wattage and hours of sunlight that we mentioned earlier. Let's say that your property receives four hours of sunshine each day, and you're purchasing watt solar panels.

In that case, each panel can generate 1, watt-hours per day or 1. Assuming that your energy usage is in line with the average of 29 kWh per day, you'd need 23 watt panels to create enough electricity for your home. Although the upfront costs of a residential solar system might seem high, there are a few ways to save money on your investment.