You’ve likely noticed solar panels on homes and businesses in your area, but how big are they really, and will they fit on your roof?
What size are solar panels? Are they right for your home, and safe for your roof? These are all good questions when considering installing a solar system. We’ll break down these questions so you can feel confident in your decision to go green with solar.
- How Solar Panels are Measured
- What Determines Solar Panel Size
- Solar Panel Weight
- How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Provide
- How Many Solar Panels Do You Need
- Save on Solar
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How Solar Panels Are Measured
When it comes to solar panel measurements, you will usually see them listed in feet or inches. The dimensions should include the height and length of the panel. The size of solar panels can generally fit into one of three standard sizes. These sizes are based on the number of cells the panel contains, which we will cover later on.
Solar Panel Dimensions
So, how big is a solar panel? Panel sizing will vary a bit depending on how they are used. With residential solar panels, there is often constraint due to the size of the roof and available unshaded area, so the panels are often smaller. Commercially, the typical panel size is larger because roof space is less of a constraint. Typically, the width will be 39 inches, and you’ll see a length measurement of either 65 or 78 inches.
Solar Panel Voltage
Another critical factor is the voltage or electricity generated by your solar panels. The total power of your system is measured in Watts (W) or kilowatt hours (kWh). The end goal is to closely match the current energy utilization of your home with the new solar system, and any excess can be sent to the grid for credit or stored in your battery bank for emergencies. Understanding solar panels’ wattage and size will give you a better idea of how many you can expect to need for your home.
Cell Panels
Panels consist of individual solar photovoltaic (PV) cells responsible for converting sunlight into electricity. The cell panels are connected via circuits to make up the panel. Since these cells are always the same size, we can determine the sizes by how many cell panels it contains. Below are the corresponding number of cell panels for the two standard solar panel size options we’ve introduced. When shopping for solar panels, you will often see them listed by their cell panel number.
- 60-cell: 65 x 39 inches
- 78-cell: 78 x 39 inches
Solar Panel Weight
A question we hear over and over is “how much do solar panels weigh?” When considering weight, include the framing, mounting equipment, and the panels themselves. You can expect somewhere in the range of two to four pounds per square foot of the panel, meaning that a standard residential solar panel weighs roughly 40 pounds. Commercial panels will come in slightly higher than that with an average of 50 pounds.
Residential solar panel sizes vs. commercial solar panel sizes
As mentioned previously, the solar panel sizes will vary depending on what type of building you are placing them on. The standard size for residential panels is 65 inches long by 39 inches wide. The size of a solar panel for commercial use is 78 inches long by 39 inches wide. The depth is between 1.3 and 2 inches and is often omitted from the dimension.
- 60-cell (residential): 65 x 39 inches
- 78-cell (commercial): 78 x 39 inches
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What Determines Solar Panel Size
Sizing solar panels for your home is a unique process that depends on several factors. Customizing your system based on energy usage, available sunlight, available area, and battery offset is key to maximizing your financial savings.
- Usage: the main driver for the size of your solar system is the current electricity usage of your home
- Available Sunlight: to ensure maximum output, you’ll want the solar panels to be placed on areas of the roof with direct sunlight, which may be limited due to other sections of the roof or trees or other objects casting shade
- Placement and Area Required: the panel system will be strategically placed based on the available square feet of roof space with direct sunlight in accordance with local ordinances regarding fire and safety codes.
- Battery or Energy Offset: if battery storage is important to you in the event of an emergency, you’ll want to err on the higher end for solar panel system size to guarantee your system will produce enough power to fuel the battery backup or energy offset
Solar Panel Weight
Although how heavy solar panels are will fluctuate slightly depending on the manufacturer, you can expect residential units to weigh around 40 pounds. Since commercial panels are slightly larger, they usually weigh about 50 pounds. Framing and mounting equipment also contribute to the overall weight in addition to the cells.
- Size of the solar panel: Residential panels will usually weigh less than their commercial counterparts due to the difference in size
- Number of cells: in tandem with the overall size of the panel, the number of cells will affect the weight of the solar panels
- Frame and Mounting Equipment: this will vary depending on the solar company, but it’s important to consider when thinking about the overall weight of the solar panel system
Are solar panels too heavy for your roof?
At the top of the list of things you should know before putting solar panels on your roof should probably be whether or not your roof can support the weight of the solar system. The short answer is yes. Unless your roof is very old or has significant damage there is no reason the roof should not be able to hold the panels. If your roof is older or if you are concerned in any way, we recommend contacting a roofing company for an inspection before having your solar panels installed.
How much energy do solar panels provide?
We now know how big one solar panel is, but what about the energy output? Generally, you can expect more than 300 watts of power per panel. The actual output of your system will depend on many variables.
- Size of the Panel: the larger the panel or system, the greater potential for energy output
- Material of the Panel: solar cells are either monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, and the former is more efficient in terms of energy output
- Amount of Direct Sunlight: some locations have a greater capacity for direct sunlight than others, which affects the overall output of your system
How many solar panels do you need?
How many panels you need for your solar system will largely depend on how much energy your home or business is actively using. The goal is to offset your energy usage and eliminate the need for a monthly bill. Any excess power produced by your system can either be sent back to the grid for credits or stored in a battery backup for use at a later time.
- Check Your Utility Bill: based on your electricity bill, come up with average monthly expenses for your home or business based on past bills
- Consider the Seasons: in your calculations, take into account any regular changes in weather that may temporarily increase energy usage
- Find Output Estimates: with any potential solar panel purchase, you’ll want to be sure you understand the estimated output and efficiency of the panels before installation
- Calculate: based on the estimated output and the required consumption, you can calculate the number of solar panels you will need for your home or business
Solar Panel Batteries
Solar panel battery systems are a good option for those who expect their system to produce more power than they consume. The battery allows you to use the energy stored in the battery during times of low production, like cloudy days or winter months, or random power outages.
Solar Panel Battery Dimensions
Like the panels themselves, battery dimensions will depend on the size of your solar system and the required storage. A smaller battery may be enough if you live in an area with high sun exposure. The most common types of batteries for solar systems are Lead Acid and Lithium which are either 12, 24, or 48 volts.
Storing Energy with a Solar Panel Battery
With a solar panel battery, you never have to worry about getting stuck without power! Your battery backup will be ready to kick in during an emergency or during periods of low productivity. The batteries are stored on the ground and wired to your roof system. Be sure to inquire about a solar panel battery with your solar company.
Contact Sun Badger Solar today to get your free custom solar estimate for your home in a matter of seconds!
Find Out How Much You Can Save with Sun Badger Solar Today
Solar panel systems are the next step in managing energy consumption while saving money on your home. Reach out to Sun Badger Solar today for a free estimate. Our team of experts is passionate about renewable solar energy and committed to ensuring you are informed every step of the way.
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