Estimate Solar Panel Requirements For A Home

Todd built his own 3 kw solar system to power his northern california home where he lives off the grid with his wife and children.

Estimate solar panel requirements for a home.

One solar thermal panel generates enough energy to power a hot water heater for a family of four. Updated june 25 2020 a typical american home will need 14 36 solar panels to cover their power bill and at least 227 square feet of rooftop space to accommodate the solar panels. One solar panel produces about 1 24 kwh per day. Follow along to calculate the amount of solar panels your specific home will need.

The average family uses 11 000 kwh per year and needs 26 to 33 solar panels to power the whole house. You calculate the power supplied or calculate a solar energy system output from the panel to the battery using its watts peak and exposure. The number of panels needed depends on your location and roof size. In california where the average system required is 4 23 kw solarreviews research data shows that the average solar panel installation cost as of jan 2020 is 2 78 per watt meaning the 4 23 kw system would be 11 753 before the solar tax credit and 8 701 after the federal tax credit.

The photovoltaic pv solar panels are used in residential installations come in varying wattages from 150 watts to 370 watts per panel. In the example dividing 3 940 w by a panel s 200 w rating calculates 20 panels needed to sustain your entire house. Geostellar measures user s solar potential based on satellite maps of their property and will estimate the financial benefit of such a system based on the user s electricity bills users can compare financial products to determine the payback of a system see applicable state and federal incentives and consult with agents to find a system that best meets their needs and wants. The power generation capacity of a solar panel is given in watts.

In the example above you would need 24 solar panels to account for 80 of your average consumption 29 6 kwh daily usage divided by 1 24 kwh per panel. Todd and the rest of the wholesale solar team are here to answer any questions you have about designing a system that will fit your needs. Dividing your hourly requirement by the solar panels wattage calculates the total number of panels you need. Compare solar quotes on the energysage marketplace customized to your property and energy needs.

The exact number changes depending on the specifications of the chosen panel model as well as the sunshine available at the project site.