How Many Solar Panels Are Needed To Power A House?

If you haven’t been living under a rock, then you probably know that the majority of people have started shifting to solar energy.

Odds are, you have already seen your neighbors live in a house with solar panels on their roof. 

Having a house with solar panels also helps you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your energy bills. 

But the important question you need to address is- How many solar panels are required to power your house?

 The best way to determine this is by setting your objectives. You also need to calculate your daily energy consumption.

Remember, this differs from one household to another, and therefore borrowing calculations isn’t an option. You will have to calculate the consumption yourself.

This article helps you determine all your energy needs and figure out the number of panels your house will require.

Some crucial information that you might need are:

• Your monthly or yearly energy consumption
• The amount of sunlight in your area
• Your roof’s surface area
• Total wattage
• Efficacy of solar panels
• Availability of net metering

If you’re finding it difficult to figure out this data, you can simply consult a solar panel manufacturer or dealer for easy evaluation.

How Can You Calculate the Number of Solar Panels Required for Your House?

To calculate your energy consumption on a monthly basis, simply go through your energy bills from the previous 12 months. Search for the number of units consumed every month.

Add the total units and get an average of it by dividing the number by 12. The easiest way to do this would be to get in touch with your electricity provider.

On average, the energy consumed by most households is around 90 units a month which is more than enough to run small kitchen appliances, television, refrigerator, etc.

Of course, based on the size of your home, the number of appliances used, and the number of people residing, this average could fluctuate.

Does The Size of Solar Panels Affect Its Efficiency?

Based on the house that you live in, the required size and number of solar energy panels may vary.

With a bigger house and larger roof, you can settle for a less effective system and add more solar panels. For a smaller roof, however, purchasing an efficient system with lesser solar panels is the best way to obtain the optimal output.

In today’s time, solar panels come around 65 x 39 inches in size, along with a few variations. Though the size isn’t changed much, the efficiency has certainly increased over the last few years.

If you’ve got answers for all the crucial information mentioned at the start, selecting a solar panel for home use will not be a challenging task.

But you can still talk to a professional solar energy panel manufacturer, ask them to assess the architecture of your roof, and accordingly recommend the number of solar panels that would be the best for the house.

What Factors Can Affect Your Solar Panels’ Performance?

This is what you need to know before you purchase a solar energy panel.

• The Type of Solar Panel

A monocrystalline solar panel is made using the purest form of silicon. It is, therefore, considered as one of the most efficient solar panels. Another type of solar panel that can be used in your house is the polycrystalline panel. This one is less effective as compared to the monocrystalline panel.

If you are looking for an inexpensive option, you can go with the latest thin-film solar energy panel. But since these are way more inefficient as compared to others, it is best not to purchase them.

• The Orientation of Your Solar Panel

To experience top-notch efficiency, ensure that your solar panel is placed in such a way that it receives maximum sunlight. If you want to keep tracking the sun’s movement, you can purchase solar trackers. But remember, they are very expensive.

• The Temperature Around Your Solar Panels

This might seem a little contradicting, but too much sunlight will simply raise the solar panel’s resistance and the temperature.

It is important to make sure you have properly placed your solar panels so that they receive only the right amount of sunlight along with sufficient airflow to sustain optimal temperature.

• The Maintenance of Solar Panels

When it comes to solar panels, they don’t require much maintenance. But you have to clean it using soapy water every now and then.

Concluding Thoughts

Usually, many people want to fully rely on solar panels for their everyday energy consumption. While it is possible, you need your house to at least partially rely on traditional electricity. The entire expense of the solar panel alone is quite expensive too.

Just consider the factors before installing a solar panel on your roof, as that will help you decide the right number of panels required to power your home.