How many solar panels should i have

Some types of solar panel are more efficient that others, and this would affect the number of panels you need to install. For example, you need less space to install monocrystalline panels compared to thin film and polycrystalline solar panels. There are different types of solar panels that can be installed on your roof, but the most commonly installed panels are monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels.

This type of solar panel is also space efficient because they generate more energy per area compared to other types. One square metre of a monocrystalline panel will generate 10W more than the same size of a polycrystalline solar panel. On the other hand, monocrystalline panels are the most expensive solar panel type due to their high efficiency and quality of silicon used.

Due to their high temperature tolerance , polycrystalline solar panels generate more electricity over the year compared to monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline panels are a cheaper alternative to its monocrystalline variant. Although both types are made from silicon, in polycrystalline, many fragments of silicon are melted to form the wafers for the panel, while in monocrystalline silicon is formed into bars and cut into wafers.

A downside of polycrystalline panels is that they are less efficient because their silicon material is less pure. Naturally, cost is an important determining factor for how many solar panels you need.

Solar panel costs depend on several factors that include the size and type of solar panels. These figures are intended as guidance and not as an exact price. We always recommend getting a tailored quote for your property. There is also an advantage of getting paid for the energy you generate under the Smart Export Guarantee SEG , and therefore can result in savings in the long run. Unlike the former Feed-in Tariff scheme, the SEG is a type of solar panel funding that requires that all exported energy is paid by your supplier.

Deciding whether to install a solar battery storage with your solar panels depends on your interests. If you would like to avoid energy bills and reduce reliance on grid power, then installing your solar panels with a solar battery storage is the most appropriate option.

However, if your goal is to reduce your energy bills, then installing solar panels without a solar battery storage can be an option. A solar battery storage has several benefits;. The amount of money you can save by installing your solar panels with a solar battery storage depends on the number of solar panels installed, the size of solar battery installation, and how much the batteries can discharge. If you would like to save more energy , then you would have to install more panels and more batteries.

A solar professional can advise you on different options and costs. Installing solar panels is a relatively expensive, long-term decision , but when done right, it's a home improvement project that can pay off in the long-run. It's important to find the right installer that can advise you on the most suitable system, and that can execute the project smoothly.

When looking for a solar panel installer, you should always get multiple quotes to ensure you are being given a fair price. It is also a great idea to run a background check on the installer to ensure they have the right qualifications and a g ood track record of happy customers. It's a great idea to be prepared for your conversation with an installer and to help you in your research, you can follow our 6-step guide to finding the best solar panels in the video below:.

If you are ready to speak to a professional installer about how many panels you need, fill in the contact form and get up to four tailored quotes from suppliers in your area. The service is free and non-binding! Esther is a Content Writer at GreenMatch. She has an educational background in Business Administration and Marketing and a passion for sustainability. We use cookie to give you the best browsing experience. We and our partners use cookies on our website to improve your browsing experience, personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic.

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To calculate this, divide the average annual wattage of the appliance by the panel wattage. Measure your annual kWh usage or the yearly electricity consumption of your house.

Figure out your panel wattage, which is how much electricity your panel produces under ideal conditions. Estimate your production ratio, or how much electricity your panel produces based on the average sunlight. You can compute this by dividing your system wattage by its electricity output in a year.

Or you can use the US estimate of between 1. Assuming a production ratio of 1. Then multiply this figure by the number of panels you need based on the steps we just outlined. Thus, in our above example, a 12, kWh consumption will need Instead, the number of residents and their energy habits play a much bigger role.

With a panel wattage of and a production ratio of 1. The estimated consumption would then be 1, kWh per month or 13, kWh per year. Again, considering a W panel and a 1. You can use the calculator below to quickly determine your solar panel needs based on your average monthly kWh usage and the nearest city from your house.

The latter helps better gauge the amount of sunlight you receive based on your location. Solar panel calculator. Alternatively, you can also figure out the number of solar panels you need based on the square footage. You can use the calculator below to get the predicted monthly kWh usage based on the number of people living in the house and their energy consumption habits:. Once you get the estimated monthly kWh usage, simply plug it into the solar panel kWh calculator above.

Apart from estimating how many solar panels you need, you should also consider the weight of the panels themselves. On average, a single panel weighs around 40 pounds, adding around 2. Therefore, you need to make sure that your roof can support this added weight.

You also need to consider the material, age, and structure of your roof. Community solar programs are a common way for many homeowners, businesses and renters to go solar without actually installing anything on their roof. Participants can subscribe to a nearby solar farm and pay a lower price for the electricity sourced from it. Interesting in seeing how much you could save by joining our community solar program?

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