How Many Solar Panels Do I Need

By Author: Stevan Gerrand
Total Articles: 53
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Setting up a solar system at your home or business is a great way to save money on your electric bill. However, it can be confusing figuring out what size of panel and how many of them you need. The key is to maximize the amount of power your property can generate without breaking the budget. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when trying to determine the size of your system and the number of panels you should purchase.

Guidelines - What Size and How Many Solar Panels Do I Need

When talking about the size of a solar panel, we refer to both the physical size of the panel and the number of watts it is able to produce. Of course the larger the physical size of a panel, the more watts it is able to produce.
Keep in mind that there is more than one type of solar panel. In general, the more expensive the solar panel is, the more energy it can produce in a smaller amount of space. If you don't have much roof space to spare, then you may need to purchase more expensive (and thus, more efficient) solar panels in order to generate enough electricity to make a substantial difference ...
... in your energy bill.
The average solar panel produces about 150 watts every three to four hours and is a square foot in size. However, the panel is only able to produce that much electricity if it's in full sun. Clouds or shade from trees or other buildings will reduce the amount of electricity a solar panel is able to generate.
The size of any solar system is given in kilowatt peaks. For example, if a system is 1.5 kilowatt peaks, then it produces 1500 watts when it is in full sun. A system of this size is usually made of ten 150-watt solar panels, which take up approximately 10 square feet in space. A system of this size is usually sufficient for the average household, although it certainly won't produce all of the electricity that would be used.
The average household uses between 8,000 and 9,000 kilowatt hours each year.
Spend some time going through your electric bills to determine about how much electricity you use each month. The number and size of solar panels you need will depend largely on your average monthly electricity usage.

The world of solar panels is extremely difficult to navigate, so it is very helpful to have someone you trust to guide you through the selection process. But once you wrap your head around the terms and jargon we've given you above, you will be well on your way to making a wise selection about the size and number of solar panels you need. Every building is different, so the same system won't work for each one. This is why it is so important that you learn as much as you can about solar power so that you can to ensure the system that's designed for you actually meets your needs.

Solar Technology Ltd is a trusted provider of solar panels and systems. They'll help you to build solar panels farms. So call Solar Technology today to get started.