Installing Solar Panels: How Many Panels Do You Need on Your Roof?
The solar energy industry is currently worth about $12 billion, and this number is set to rise even higher with so many people installing solar panels in their homes. The thing is, there’s still so much information people don’t know about solar panel installation.
One of the most common questions people ask about solar is how many panels are needed to power a home or business. The answer, unfortunately, is not quite as straightforward as one might hope.
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding how many panels you need, and it can vary depending on your location and energy needs. This blog post will summarize all the factors you need to consider when installing solar panels.
Consider Your Energy Needs
How much power do you consume on a daily basis? This will help determine the size of the solar panel system you need.
To get an idea of your daily energy consumption, look at your electricity bill from the past month. The number you are looking for is the one that says “Total kWh.” This is the amount of energy you use in a day.
Once you have your number, multiply it by 30 to get an idea of your monthly consumption. This will give you a good starting point for determining the size of your solar panel system.
The Amount of Sunlight You Receive
The amount of sunlight you receive is a significant factor in determining how many solar panels you need. If you live in an area that gets a lot of sunlight, you won’t need as many panels to generate the same amount of power as someone who lives in an area with less sunlight.
To get an idea of how much sunlight you receive, you can check out the Solar Insolation Map from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Just enter your zip code, which will tell you how many hours of sunlight you receive per day on average.
The Size of Your Roof
The size of your roof is going to be the biggest factor in how many panels you need when installing solar panels. If you have a large roof, you’re in luck and can probably accommodate more panels.
However, if you have a smaller roof or one with many obstructions, you might not be able to fit as many. That’s why it’s crucial to have a professional solar installer come and take a look at your roof to give you an accurate estimate.
Why don’t you try Blue Raven Solar? These solar professionals will answer all your questions.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency is measured in terms of how much sunlight they can convert into electricity. The higher the efficiency, the fewer panels you’ll need, so you need to invest in the best solar panels.
There are many types of solar panels, and the most efficient ones on the market are around 22%. This means that for every 100 watts of sunlight they receive, they can generate 22 watts of electricity.
So, if you need to generate 1000 watts of electricity per day, you would need approximately 45 panels. However, if you had a solar panel with an efficiency of 20%, you would need 50 panels to generate the same amount of power.
Installing Solar Panels: Understanding How Many You Need
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when installing solar panels. The number of panels you need will vary depending on your energy needs, the amount of sunlight you receive, the size of your roof, and the efficiency of the solar panels.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, we recommend talking to a professional solar installer. Now that you have an idea of the number of panels you may need check our blog for more tips.
