Wondering How Many Solar Panels You Need? Here's a ...
Wondering How Many Solar Panels You Need? Here's a ...
Are you considering installing a solar panel system on your roof? If you are, there's a lot to keep in mind when doing so! But right now, as power outages become more common, electricity costs rise, and environmental concerns mount, residential solar power looks more appealing than ever.
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But to begin with, you will first need to calculate the number of solar panels you need to power your home. Solar costs can range anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000. You can further reduce the cost of buying and installing solar power systems thanks to the 30% federal tax credit, state and municipal government tax credits, tax exemptions, rebates, and other incentives.
A common misconception is to gauge how much "bang for your buck" you're getting purely based on wattage, said Courtney Corda, co-founder of the California-based solar company Corda Solar. But knowing how many panels you need isn't just about wattage, its also about the costs involved in installing, panel performance, location and your usage needs, Corda explained.
Can solar panels save you money?
Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home? Enter some basic information below, and well instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings.
A reputable solar installer will do this for you, but if you would like to get an approximate idea of the costs beforehand -- or want to check the installer's math -- we have just the guide for you. Here we'll explore how to figure out how many panels can support your energy needs and what other factors will affect that number.
Factors that affect how many solar panels you will need
The number of solar panels you'll need depends on a variety of factors and is going to vary drastically by household. A few factors affecting the amount of panels you'll need are:
- Wattage per panel
- Panel efficiency
- How much energy your solar panels are producing
- Your household's energy consumption
- Size of the panel
- How many hours of peak sunlight you receive
- The condition and shading of your roof
- Your own personal energy goals and needs
How to calculate how many solar panels you will need
Desired energy production (kW) / Solar panel wattage (kW) = Number of solar panels needed
You can use this formula to calculate how many solar panels you'll need. But first, you'll need to know:
- Your home's monthly energy consumption
- The wattage of the panels you plan to install
- The amount of peak sunlight hours your home receives per day
Jake Edie, an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago suggests taking the following steps:
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Step 1. Review your monthly electric bill: It's important to determine how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you consume monthly. As an example, we will use 1,500 kWh every month.
Step 2. Convert monthly energy use to daily use: Given 1,500 kWh is consumed per month, to ascertain the daily usage, we need to divide this figure by the average number of days in a month, which is roughly 30.42 days (365 days divided by 12 months).
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Hence, the average daily use = 1,500 kWh / 30.42, approximating 49.3 kWh daily.
Step 3. Determine peak sunlight hours: This factor varies based on location and climate. For this example, let's assume that this home receives an average of about 5 peak sunlight hours per day.
To calculate the total daily energy production required, divide the daily energy consumption by the number of peak sunlight hours. This gives the amount of energy your solar panels need to produce per day.
Energy production required = 49.3 kWh per day / 5 hours, which equals 9.86 kW.
Step 4. Calculate the number of panels: Lastly, you'll need to determine the wattage of the solar panels you plan to install. The average solar panel efficiency in the US is rated between 250 and 400 watts. For this example, we'll use a rating of 350 watts.
By dividing 350 by 1,000, we can convert this to kilowatts or kW. Therefore, 350 watts equals 0.35 kW.
Step 5. Determine the required number of solar panels: Divide the daily energy production needed by the solar panel's power output.
Number of solar panels needed = 9.86 kW / 0.35 kW per panel, which equals 28.17 panels.
This hypothetical homeowner will need approximately 29 solar panels to generate enough electricity to match their current usage from the electric company. While this calculation may seem straightforward, there are many factors that can affect the effectiveness of solar panels, such as shading, roof orientation and seasonal variations in peak sunlight.
We highly recommend that you seek the guidance of a professional solar installer who can assess your circumstances and provide a tailored solution to meet your needs.They should be certified from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, which is the solar industry standard. CNET also has a well-researched list of best solar companies.
How much do solar panels cost in my state?
Here's the average total cash price, cost per watt and system size for a solar panel system in your state, according to data from FindEnergy.com. These prices don't factor in tax credits or state incentives. The grayed out states on the map don't have any FindEnergy solar data available.
Other factors that affect how many solar panels you need
There are a variety of factors to take into consideration that will help you and an installer determine how many solar panels you need to power your home. Here is a breakdown:
Solar panel wattage
One big part of a solar panel's performance is its wattage, and it will affect how many panels you need. The higher the wattage, the more power a panel can generate.
Most residential solar panels have ratings of 250 to 400 watts. The most efficient solar panels on the market are 370- to 445-watt models. The higher the wattage rating, the higher the output. In turn, the fewer panels you might need.
For example, you might buy a solar panel with a listed output of 440 watts. You'll need to multiply the panel's wattage by how many hours of sun you get every day to understand how much energy it will produce.
If you don't have much space, you might want to invest in solar panels with higher efficiency and wattage ratings since they're equipped to generate more energy per panel. But they're also more expensive, so bear that in mind if the solar budget for your home is tight.
Output efficiency
If your roof has limited space for panels, you're going to want to get the most performance per square inch of panel that you can, Corda explained.
"Scientists and technical developers of solar panels have been working hard for decades to try to make each solar cell on the panel able to convert more of the sun's light to electricity than before, or to make them more efficient," Corda said.
As she explains, currently, the most efficient panels on the market have anywhere from 18% to 22.8% efficiency, with most panels hovering around 20% efficiency. So the higher the efficiency, the fewer solar panels you might need.
In reality, a more efficient solar panel will require fewer panels overall for your home, assuming all other factors are equal.
Production ratios
A production ratio for solar panels helps you determine how much energy you can get from a panel. The production ratio, or performance ratio, is an important measure of the effectiveness and efficiency of a solar system. It compares the actual output of the system to the output it would produce under ideal conditions. This ratio takes into account factors that reduce output, such as temperature, dust, snow, shade, aging of the panels and inefficiencies in the inverter.
The performance ratio is expressed as a percentage, with a higher ratio indicating that the PV system is producing a greater percentage of its theoretical output. For example, a performance ratio of 80% means that the system is producing 80% of its rated output in real-world conditions. The higher the production ratios, the fewer panels you might need.
Panel size
There are three main sizes for solar panels: 60-cell, 72-cell and 96-cell. The 60- and 72-cell panels are more common for residential installations are generally about 3 by 5 feet, or 15 square feet.
Where you live and hours of sunlight
The more hours of sunlight your roof is exposed to, the fewer panels you'll probably need to install. This is based on the direction, pitch and orientation of your roof, the weather and how much shade covers the roof. It also depends on the time of year and where you live.
"In the winter [the solar panel] produces less than in the summer. So your energy production from solar will change throughout the year and then the usage within your home will change depending on what appliances are using electricity," said Justin Draplin, CEO of Eclipse Cottages, a sustainable home technology and development company.
"So if you live in a really hot climate, then during the summer months, your electrical bill is going to be a lot higher to cool your home versus if you're in a cold environment, your electrical bills are going to be a lot higher in the winter," he said.
How much shade your roof gets always plays a factor in how many solar panels you'll need for your home, Corda said. If your roof is covered by large oak trees or a chimney and gets a lot of shade, this will bump down solar panel output. In turn, you might need more panels to power your home. But if your roof doesn't get much shade, your solar output will be higher for the same space.
Another thing to consider is whether your state or city incentivizes solar energy, Coleman said.
"Is it worth it to maximize your solar production to quicken your payback period thanks to the value of solar energy you're able to produce?" Coleman said. Certain states, like California, are altering their net metering programs, fundamentally changing the amount of credit a homeowner receives for their solar panels. "This historical net metering program brings new considerations for how many panels and what size system you should consider, and how storage factors in," Coleman said.
Additionally, you may also want to consider whether your area is at high risk of power outages, Coleman said. If this is the case, consider buying a battery to supplement your solar panels in the event of an outage.
Roof type and condition
The orientation, angle, shape and type of roof will affect the number of panels you can reasonably fit into a given area, Corda explained.
A home without a complicated roof structure, pitched at a 10-degree angle and south-facing is best for solar panels.
"That would be an ideal roof for solar because you've got it tilted, it's facing south, and the pitch of the roof is neither flat nor very steep, which is ideal for putting panels on there to capture as much energy from the sun as possible," Corda said. A house with a more complicated roof structure won't be able to fit as many panels, she adds. For instance, Spanish tile-roofs are considered solar unfriendly and require special attachments.
Cost and budget
While powering your home on solar energy can save you money, it does require a serious investment upfront. The costs to power your home on solar and your budget will determine how many solar panels you can afford.
Currently, the average cost for a home solar panel system is around $3 to $4 per watt, according to various industry surveys. Based on this figure, a 5-kilowatt size system would be $15,000 to $20,000 before any tax breaks or incentives kick in.
Solar isn't just for wealthy people who can afford to shell out $20,000 -- Coleman said that low and middle-income Americans can reap the most benefits from home solar systems by reducing their energy burden. With the help of leases and PPAs, customers can purchase solar power at a reduced price and redirect the electricity expense to pay a clean energy company instead. "In a market with high interest rates, leases and PPAs are likely the least expensive way to go solar," he said.
Whether you are paying cash or financing, knowing what you can afford will play a factor in how many panels you add to your home.
Annual electricity usage
To know how many panels will meet your energy demand, you'll need to know your annual energy usage. You can log onto your account online, review statements, you'll see how many kilowatt hours of electricity you use. "You're going to want to look at your patterns over the course of a year -- if not the last couple of years," Corda said.
Once you have that number, you'll know how much solar power you need to generate to cover your needs.
Besides recent use, factor in the future energy needs, Corda points out. For instance, do you anticipate purchasing an electric vehicle? Or do you plan on growing your family? Or are you and your spouse going to be working from home more? If so, then your energy needs will go up in the future years. On the flip side, if your teens will soon leave the nest to go to college, then you can expect your energy usage to taper off.
Your personal solar goals
Determining your personal solar goal is figuring out what you want to achieve with your solar panel addition. Living completely energy independent and off the grid would mean more solar panels. "If you want to power your whole house, you have to really oversize it to make sure you have enough power in the winter, even though you're going to be over producing in the summer," Draplin said.
Adding battery storage will also play a factor in how many panels you need. With solar battery storage, you can essentially bank energy and store it for later use when you're producing excess energy.
If your goal is to lower your energy bill or reduce your carbon footprint, then maybe you won't need as many panels, Draplin said.
Figuring out the number of solar panels you need is only part of the equation. Learn more about the benefits and costs of home solar from CNET:
Solar panel FAQs
Can I run my house on solar power only?
The simple answer is: Yes, you can power a house entirely on solar power. To meet your energy ends, you'll want to factor in a handful of variables: the size, pitch and orientation of your roof, the size of panels you'd like to install, the amount of shade, output efficiency and wattage. Plus, you want to figure out current and future usage needs and whether you want your entire home to be powered on solar energy or just part of it.
How many solar panels does it take to run a house off the grid?
It depends on a number of factors, such as how much energy your home consumes in a given year, its size, your system's panel efficiency and where you live. Consult with a solar installer to get an idea.
Can solar panels run an air conditioner?
Yes, solar panels can help power your air conditioner. However, AC units consume large amounts of electricity to run. This can affect the amount of solar panels you'll need to power your home.
Correction, Aug. 18: This story originally presented some statements as direct quotations that were actually paraphrases of what the individual cited had said. Those passages have now been rendered appropriately as paraphrases.
The 11 Most Efficient Solar Panels
Our research team has searched extensively for the most efficient panels
All of these products have an efficiency rating of 22.5% or above
The most efficient solar panel is the AIKO 72-cell N-Type ABC White Hole
As solar panel costs have fallen in recent years, solar panel efficiency has increased at a tremendous pace.
You can now choose from countless panels with more than 22% efficiency, meaning you can generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight, which reduces your energy bills and carbon footprint.
Through exhaustive research, weve identified the most efficient solar panels for you.
You can also find the best solar panels for your home by using our custom-built comparison tool. Simply fill in this free form, and our trusted specialists will be in touch with quotes.
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The most efficient solar panels at a glance
Find the most efficient solar panels for your property by comparing solar panels from various suppliers.
1. AIKO N-Type ABC White Hole Series (72 Cells) 24%
2. AIKO N-Type ABC Black Hole Series (72 Cells) 23.8%
3. AIKO N-Type ABC Black Hole Series (54 Cells) 23.6%
4. SunPower Maxeon 6 AC 22.8%
5. Canadian Solar HiHero 22.8%
6. SunPower Maxeon 3 22.7%
7. Jinko Tiger Neo N-type 72HL4-(V) 22.65%
8. Yingli Solar YLM GG 120 Cell 22.5%
9. Yingli Solar Panda Bifacial 144 Cell 22.5%
10. Longi Hi-MO 7 (LR5-72HGD-580M) 22.5%
11. JA Solar JAM72D40 22.5%
1. AIKO N-Type ABC White Hole Series (72 Cells)
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
24%
620
15 years
88.85% after 30 years
-0.29% per °C
28.2
Promotes carbon neutrality with Burgenland Energie
AIKO has changed the game. The Chinese companys new N-Type ABC series of solar panels have pushed the efficiency and power limits for domestic solar arrays to new heights especially this 72-cell panel.
Its efficiency rating is a record-breaking 24%, and while its technological durability isnt quite at SunPowers level, functioning at 88.85% of its initial level after 30 years is still excellent.
Considering it starts off with a peak power output of 620 W, this means itll still be generating a high of 550 W in the s, which is glorious.
All it needs is a better name and an improved product warranty, as 15 years is poor by current standards.
2. AIKO N-Type ABC Black Hole Series (72 Cells)
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
23.8%
615
15 years
88.85% after 30 years
-0.29% per °C
28.2
Promotes carbon neutrality with Burgenland Energie
AIKOs second-best solar panel is very similar to its best panel, except its completely black, and will therefore make your roof look sleeker.
Its also slightly less efficient, though 23.8% is still at least one percentage point better than any other company can offer at the moment.
And its peak power output is five watts lower than its superior counterpart, though again, 615 W is a huge amount of solar electricity.
If you can get either of these panels on your roof for a reasonable price, theyll massively cut your electricity bills though the relatively short product warranty remains an issue.
3. AIKO N-Type ABC Black Hole Series (54 Cells)
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
23.6%
460
15 years
88.85% after 30 years
-0.29% per °C
20.5
Promotes carbon neutrality with Burgenland Energie
AIKOs takeover of our efficiency rankings ends with this all-black, 54-cell panel.
Its a tiny bit less efficient than its siblings, but its also 27% lighter and 24% smaller.
So for every four 72-cell panels you put on your roof, you can put five 54-cell models and still achieve a top-tier level of efficiency.
The only downside to this plan is its 460 W peak output, but thats still 110 W more than youll get from the average solar panel.
4. SunPower Maxeon 6 AC
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.8%
440
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from 潞安.
40 years
92% after 25 years
-0.29% per °C
21.8
Panels are recycled
SunPower has earned two of the top spots in our rankings, and with good reason: its products are fantastic, as shown by their starring roles on our best solar panels page.
At 22.8%, the Maxeon 6 AC is incredibly efficient, and itll keep providing you with high levels of solar power for decades to come.
SunPowers 40-year product warranty is a revolutionary step in a field where 25 years has long been the absolute maximum, and comes after the company analysed data from more than 33 million of its panels.
And the Maxeon 6 ACs 25-year performance warranty which guarantees itll still be generating electricity at 92% of its starting rate is unbeatable among top-tier panels.
5. Canadian Solar HiHero
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.8%
445
25 years
88.85% after 30 years
-0.26% per °C
23.0
Aiming for 100% renewable power before
This new entry to our list is a rising star.
As well as reaching the same efficiency rating as the Maxeon 6 AC, the HiHero is also well-equipped to withstand heavy snow and fierce winds as you may expect from a Canadian company and is one of the most heat-resistant panels on this list.
You can also place your trust in Canadian Solar, as this panel comes with a 25-year product warranty, rather than the paltry 15-year guarantees customers previously received.
And the Ontario-based company, which has offices on six continents, is taking steps to power all its operations with renewable energy before , which is a worthy goal.
Want to learn more about solar panel efficiency? Check out our page: How Efficient Are Solar Panels?
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6. SunPower Maxeon 3
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.7%
430
40 years
88.25% after 40 years
-0.27% per °C
21.2
Panels are recycled
The Maxeon 3 is slightly less efficient than its younger sibling, which is why it has to settle for a lower position but this excellent panel comes with its own unique advantages.
Its a little lighter than the Maxeon 6 AC, and more heat resistant, which means you can expect to hold on to more efficiency as the temperature rises past 25°C.
Its top power rating is lower, but still high, while the guarantee that itll still be working at 88.25% after 40 years is stunning.
Theres not much between these two SunPower panels, so dont worry too much about which to choose. If you can get your hands on either of them or the Canadian Solar panel that separates them in our list do it.
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Compare now7. Jinko Solar Tiger Neo N-type 72HL4-(V)
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.65%
585
12 years
87.4% after 30 years
-0.29% per °C
28.0
N/A
Jinko has produced a monster of a panel here.
The latest Tiger Neo weighs an enormous 28 kg and comes with a maximum power output of 585 W 67% more than the average panel and its improved 22.65% efficiency rating is top-notch.
Unfortunately, the company which has factories in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the US still only offers a horribly low 12-year product warranty.
However, as long as nothing breaks in the physical panel, its performance warranty is decent, at 87.4% after 30 years.
8. LONGi Hi-MO 7
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.5%
580
12 years
88.18% after 30 years
-0.28% per °C
31.8
N/A
LONGi has broken into our rankings with its latest Hi-MO release, which boasts a 22.5% efficiency rate.
This gigantic 31.8 kg bifacial panel can absorb sunlight on both its sides so make sure it isnt flush with your roof and comes with a huge peak power output of 580 W.
Its heat resistance puts it in the upper echelon of panels, though unfortunately LONGi only provides a 12-year product warranty.
However, the panel is guaranteed to be at 88.18% of its initial performance after 30 years, which is decent.
If youre looking for more assurances about the nature of the company though, we cant offer any. LONGi just like Jinko, JA, and Yingli has no eco-friendly credentials beyond manufacturing and selling solar panels.
9. JA Solar JAM72D40
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.5%
580
12 years
87.4% after 30 years
-0.30% per °C
31.8
N/A
JA Solars JAM72D40 is extremely similar to LONGis Hi-MO 7, which is good news, as theyre both excellent panels.
The JAM72D40 also has an efficiency rating of 22.5%, a peak power output of 580 W, a product warranty of just 12 years, and is extremely large, at 2.58 m².
However, it has a slightly worse heat resistance, losing -0.3% with each degree the mercury rises above 25°C, and comes with an inferior performance warranty of 87.4% after 30 years.
10. Yingli Solar YLM GG 120 Cell
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.5%
380
12 years
85% after 25 years
-0.35% per °C
23.2
N/A
Yingli Solars panels have their drawbacks, but with an extremely high efficiency rating of 22.5%, theyve grabbed two spots on our list.
The 120-cell YLM GG panel comes with a decent performance warranty of 85% after 25 years even though it is the lowest on our list but its product warranty lets it down.
Yingli has let itself down by only offering coverage for 12 years. Most solar panels last at least 25 years, and the majority of manufacturers reflect this fact in their product warranties.
This panel is gloriously efficient, but its product warranty is a good reason to look elsewhere, if you can.
Want to get a better idea of what its like to own a set of solar panels? Check out our case study with Shirley Ward a 73-year-old retired office worker, based in North Yorkshire.
Shirley has a 2.4 kW solar array and a Solax battery, and managed to break even on the system in 10 years. Despite electricity prices increasing around the world, Shirleys panels have brought her energy bills down to £15 a month, instead of £50.
Check out the full interview with Shirley to learn more about solar panels.
11. Yingli Solar Panda Bifacial 144 Cell
Efficiency
Power (W)
Product warranty
Performance warranty
Heat resistance
Weight (kg)
Eco-friendly credentials
22.5%
415
12 years
83.5% after 30 years
-0.35% per °C
26.0
N/A
This 144-cell model is also 22.5% efficient, which is fantastic but again, Yinglis insistence on a 12-year product warranty is a significant downside.
Both the YLM GG and this model also come with sub-par heat resistance, meaning youll lose more efficiency at the height of summer than you would with most top panels.
The Panda panel also lives up to its name, weighing in at a hefty 26kg so if youre thinking of getting this model, make sure your roof can support it.
How did we choose the most efficient solar panels?
Our team of four researchers spent 34 hours finding and analysing the 48 best solar panels available right now to discover the most efficient ones on the market.
We looked through every solar panels data sheet, noted down the efficiency ratings, and compared them against panels from each of the 17 companies we checked to create a top tier of efficient panels.
Why is solar panel efficiency important?
The more efficient a panel is, the more electricity itll generate.
This means you can save more money on your energy bills while taking up the same amount of roof space giving you a better return on your investment.
The market average is currently 21%; the panels on our list start above 22% and get much higher.
Summary
You now know everything about the most efficient solar panels on the market right now.
And if youre ready to go solar, youre not alone 60% of UK residents want to switch to renewable energy, according to our latest National Home Energy Survey.
The next step is finding the right deal and thats where we come in. Just fill in this free form, and our trusted solar panel installers will get in touch with their best prices.
Most efficient solar panels: FAQs
The most efficient solar panels on the market at the moment are AIKOs 72-cell panel from its N-Type ABC White Hole Series, the 72-cell panel from its Black Hole Series, and the 54-cell panel from that same Black Hole Series.
But its just a matter of time before this rapidly developing technology hits new heights.
NASA is currently developing solar cells that with an efficiency rate of up to 40% and with increasing moves to use more of the solar light spectrum, well see even better rates soon.
Check out our guide on Reasons Solar Panels Lose Efficiency Over Time to find out how to get the most out of your panels.
There are now 30% efficient solar cells, after this mark was passed multiple times in recent times.
In July , researchers at the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) hit 31.25% with a tandem silicon-perovskite solar cell, breaking the 30% barrier for the first time.
And in December , scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used the same combination of materials to reach a stunning 32.5%.
There are no 30% efficient solar panels on the market at the moment but its just a matter of time.
Typical solar panels are only 20% efficient because theyre made with silicon, which can only absorb part of the solar spectrum.
Combining silicon with other substances, like perovskite, will allow solar panels to absorb more sunlight, from other parts of the spectrum.
With standard silicon panels, theres also some inevitable efficiency loss from photons that bounce off panels, and others that have their energy converted to heat, instead of electric current.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit N Type High Efficiency 580W Solar Panels.