You’re probably wondering “how big is a solar panel” if you’re planning to shift to solar power. Well, solar PV systems come in a considerable array of sizes. The size of the solar panel you’ll need will generally depend on various factors.
Such factors include the amount of electricity your home or business utilizes, the amount of space you have, and the amount of money you’re willing to spend. Explore this post to learn about the sizes of solar panels, how many you’ll require, and what type of energy production you could expect.
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How Big is a Solar Panel
Is solar panel dimension just a matter of preference? Or, are there critical factors to consider? Are they sized distinctly? How do you know which size is appropriate for your application?
The size of a solar panel will depend on if it will be utilized for commercial or residential applications.
Many smaller-sized panels are utilized for solar-operated road construction signs, solar-operated entry gates, and backpacks with integrated solar panels to run small devices.
Larger-sized panels are necessary for more extensive demands, specifically for households and buildings. The size conforms to the quantity of energy you need.
Each panel for residential use is composed of 60 individual PV cells. The regular size of a PV panel is 156 mm by 156 mm; this is roughly 6 inches in length and 6 inches in width.
Hence, the dimensions of solar panels for residential use are 5 feet in length and 3 feet in width.
On the other hand, the size of a standard solar panel utilized for commercial applications is 72 photovoltaic cells to 98 cells or more. Essentially, this makes the regular commercial solar panel approximately 13 inches longer than the residential solar panels.
The Power Output of Solar Panel Sizes
Like other products, not all solar panels are manufactured the same. The solar panels utilized for residential applications range from 150W up to 370W per panel. Note that this commonly depends on the cell technology and efficiency of the panel size.
Small-sized Solar Panels
Small solar panels conventionally come in 3 standard sizes: 160W, 100W, and 50W. Nonetheless, you can also find solar panels with 175W and 150W. Chiefly, manufacturers have their own solar panel wattages and sizes.
Solar Panels for Home and Business Use
Generally speaking, the rooftop space in homes is smaller compared to that of firms and businesses. Due to this, the solar panels utilized for residential purposes come in smaller sizes.
It is worth noting that industrial and commercial applications do not have space restrictions and have the means to opt for larger panels.
Commercial solar panels with 72 cells will generate about 360 to 400W.
How Much Power Will My Solar Panels Generate
The answer to this question will depend on various factors. Such factors include the location where you reside and the time of the year. For instance, if you reside in a state with high rates of sunlight, you’ll be able to produce an ample amount of energy from your solar panels.
Likewise, the period of the year will have a significant influence on the amount of energy generated. When days are shorter in the winter, your access to sunlight is lesser compared to summer periods where days are longer.
Meanwhile, the other factors that could influence how much power your solar panels will generate are linked to the placement of your home.
If you reside in a shaded area, your solar panels might have difficulty generating as much energy as possible. However, if you reside amid a big open field with no obstructions in sight, your panels can get more sun exposure.
What matters the most is that you determine the best placement of your solar panels, given the slope of your roof, landscape, and house placement.
If you set up 22 265W solar panels on your roof, you will produce roughly 5.83kW of energy; this could generate 6,366 kilowatt hour per year.
With average utility rates, you can anticipate your expense savings to be more than $700 for that year. So, if you’re going to multiply that amount to the lifespan of your system, then it is clear why more and more consumers switch to solar.
In a few years, you can delight in a 100% ROI and at least 20 plus more years of significant savings.
Final Thoughts
How big is a solar panel? Solar panels tend to vary based on the required or available space.
As mentioned, there are several aspects to look into when it comes to solar panel size calculation. To choose the right solar panel specs, you need to consider the following:
- The amount of power your household, business, or company uses
- How ample your rooftop space is
Manufacturers usually utilize different frame sizes, so expect some variations in solar panel sizes. Do you want a power panel that can be folded or they are flexible in any situation? here we recommend you the list of flexible solar panels and foldable solar panels. Hopefully, we have provided you with some valuable information about choosing the right panel size for your application.
I am Kathleen Miller, staff writer and reviewer of the Avasolar team. Working with the team has been a pleasure for me so far, I hope to bring readers useful information by creating detailed and easy-to-follow contents.