A common query we get from customers is, “How many solar panels do I need?” To demystify this, we will clarify what determines the answer.
Solar energy is the clear winner when it comes to powering your home in an eco-friendly way, and rooftops with solar panels are more popular than ever. Almost every street now has at least one house using the sun’s natural energy for electricity.
Before installing solar, companies consider various factors such as the assessment, your energy needs, the size of your house and the amount of sunlight you receive. Let us look at each of them. This is closely tied to what size solar system you need.
Watts of power
First, you need to know how much power your home uses. To do this, calculate the wattage of all your household appliances collectively. In other words, you should be clear about the total kilowatt usage of your residence, along with your daily energy usage. It helps to understand which appliances use the most energy before you start.
Hours of sunlight
The most important yet most neglected factor is sunlight: the more your panels receive, the more energy they produce. You multiply the hourly figure by the peak hours of sunlight your home gets.
Material and size
There are multiple types of solar panels, mainly monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The navy-blue shaded panels are poly, whereas the dark black panels are mono. Each type has its pros and cons, and it can be difficult to determine the right size and type yourself. For more on this, see how solar panels work.
To conclude
To recap, the best way to weigh up these factors is to seek help from our assessment team. At Solar Air Energy, our experts assess the structure of the roof, the angle and hours of sunlight, and your usage. After the necessary calculations, they determine the number of solar panels required. Request a free quote to get started.