Solar panels are a green energy option that can be suitable for homes of all sizes. However, homeowners who are considering going solar may wonder how many panels they will need to power their residence and what happens if their energy needs exceed what is produced by the array. How many solar panels it takes to power a house depends on multiple factors, including where the house is located, the size and layout of the roof, how much energy the residents use, and more.
Calculating the number of required solar panels is what professional installers will do as part of their quote for a home installation. However, homeowners can also gain a rough estimate on their own so they know what to expect. Here are some tools for calculating how many solar panels are needed to power a house.
Calculating Power Consumption
Before homeowners can determine the number of panels required to supply their energy needs, they will first need to calculate how much power the panels must supply. To do this, start by determining how much energy the house uses each month.
A home’s energy usage is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. The owner’s utility bill should indicate how many kWh were used for the previous billing period. Be sure to consider this number across the course of an entire year, as daylight hours, temperature fluctuations, and more all impact how much energy a home uses.
Homes that are energy-efficient need fewer solar panels than those using non-energy-efficient appliances and lights. However, on average, households in Maryland use around 1,000 kWh per month, though this varies based on home size, usage habits, and other factors.
Translating Power to Panels
Once the homeowner knows how much energy they use in the average month, they can translate that usage into panels. The wattage rating of a solar panel describes how much power it can output; typically, this ranges from 250 to 400 watts. Understanding that a solar panel may not always produce a consistent amount of energy, homeowners can calculate how many solar panels of a certain wattage would be required to power their home’s energy usage.
The Factors That Impact Panel Calculations
The wattage of a solar panel is not the only element that determines how many panels are required. Other factors that can impact the number of panels needed include:
- The hours of sunlight each day
- Whether the solar installation will include battery storage
- The size (in inches) of panels
- The production ratio of the panels (how much radiation the system converts to energy)
Other Factors to Consider
A solar installation is not just a math problem; it is also a logistics problem. This is why professional installers should offer customized quotes that are adapted to the homeowner’s specific situation. Other factors that might influence how many solar panels are needed and how well they perform include:
- How much shade obscures the roof and for how long during the day
- The condition and age of the roof
- The shape of the roof (will it support large panels or only small ones?)
- The size of the home
- How many energy-intensive appliances are being used in the home
- Which direction the roof is facing
Homeowners can see the greatest success when partnering with a trustworthy solar installer who can offer personalized guidance on how to get the most out of solar panels with the available space and access to sunlight. In some instances, smaller, more efficient panels may be a better fit, though they may be more expensive. For large homes with an expansive roof, less efficient, larger but lower cost panels may be a more suitable choice.
Let Energy Select Determine the Right Number of Panels for Your Home
Selecting the right number of solar panels needed to power a home is not a job that homeowners need to figure out on their own. Expert solar installers will do this calculation when measuring the home’s roof and determining what sort of array would work best. Solar panels can also be installed on ground-mounted units, broadening the options for solar adoption in homes that may not have the roof real estate to fully meet their energy needs.
Don’t stress about calculating your home’s solar panel needs; gather your energy usage data and share it with a solar installer. The experts at Energy Select will gladly provide a free quote that helps you understand how many panels, and of what size, will be necessary to cover the energy usage that your home requires each month. Contact Energy Select to learn more about your solar options, from payback programs to leases and more.