How Many Solar Panels You Need to Power a Home

In the past few years, solar panel systems and installations have become cheaper. Solar panels and batteries are now more affordable, efficient, and practical for residential use. There’s no easier way to reduce energy costs and help the environment.

Before purchasing a solar panel system or array, you should do some research. Too many panels can be a waste, while too few panels could render your investment unprofitable. Find out everything you need to know about solar panel systems, including how many panels are needed to efficiently power a house.

How Much Power Can a Solar Panel Produce?

The amount of power generated by solar panels is measured in watts. Solar panels can produce anywhere between 250 and 400 watts. The inherent variability in the technology makes it difficult to predict the amount of energy that your solar panel system will produce. However, you can still evaluate the potential of your solar panel system by using some basic benchmarks.

How many solar panels do you need? Solar panels can convert an average of 250 watts/hour into energy. You can expect your panels to produce 1.5 kWh daily if they receive 6 hours of sunshine each day. This is equivalent to 45 kWh monthly. These estimates will be affected by the amount of sunlight your panels receive and where you are located.

How many solar panels are needed to power an entire house? You would need 20 solar panels if a single panel could produce 45 kWh a month, and the average American household consumes 900 kWh. However, in most cases, you will need more than 20 solar panels, as it is highly unlikely that your panels will receive 6 hours of sun daily.

In general, if you’re asking how many solar panels you’ll need to cover a home of 1000 sq. ft, you’ll require between 10-12 panels. For a home of 2,000 square feet, between 20-24 panels are required. And for a home of 2,500 square feet, around 30 panels are required. Each property is unique, so you must consider these aspects before deciding how many panels you will need. You can then calculate the answer to this question with high accuracy once you have made these determinations.

This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is the top choice for Tampa solar! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!