Solar is becoming a popular trend on rooftops across the nation. Alternative energy is a great way to help the environment and get a return on your investment. The technology is advanced, and you may want to learn more before making a decision.
If you’re wondering how many solar panels you need to power your house, you’re asking the right question. Read on to find out the answer.
How to Calculate the Output of Solar Panels
We were probably taught as children to stay away from electric wires because they are dangerous. While thinking about electricity might seem intimidating, calculating the amount of energy generated by solar panels is actually quite simple.
To start, let’s calculate how many watt-hours a solar panel produces. We need two pieces of information for this:
- The panel’s wattage (the amount of power it can produce per hour).
- The peak sun hours for your location.
By multiplying the wattage by the peak hours of sunlight, we can find the daily watt-hours produced by a solar panel. Let’s use an example.
The average solar panel output is 1,578 watt-hours, which is calculated by multiplying a 300-watt panel by 5.26 hours of peak sunlight.
For homeowners, watt-hours are usually converted to kilowatt-hours (kWh). To convert to kilowatt-hours, divide the total watt-hours by 1,000. In our example, the panel generates about 1.6 kWh of electricity per day (1,578 รท 1,000).
To find the monthly energy output, multiply the daily kWh by 30:
1.6 kWh x 30 days = 48 kWh per month
This equation will help you calculate the standard output of a solar panel. Remember, the wattage of each panel can vary, and many factors can influence the actual solar power output.
How Much Energy Can a Solar Panel Produce?
To calculate the watt-hours of a solar panel, we first need to know its wattage. The wattage can vary depending on the type of semiconductor used and the number of solar cells.
Most residential solar panels contain between 36 and 72 cells, and their power output typically ranges from 100 watts to 400 watts. Panels with 60 to 72 cells usually produce between 250 watts and 300 watts.
The amount of energy produced can also be affected by the type of photovoltaic (PV) technology used in the panels. There are two main types of solar panel PV technology:
- Monocrystalline: Made from a single crystal of silicon.
- Polycrystalline: Made from a blend of silicon crystals.
Monocrystalline panels are generally more efficient than polycrystalline ones. They can produce up to 2-7% more power, especially as the number of solar cells increases.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is the top choice for solar panel installation Cape Coral FL! 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!
