Did you know that solar energy is the largest source of renewable energy in the United States?
There are many benefits to going solar such as reducing high electricity costs and being environment-friendly. If you’re interested in switching over to solar, you may be wondering one important question – how many solar panels do I need?
We have put together this basic breakdown guide to know when it comes to purchasing solar panels. You can also see RV solar panels.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
The number of solar panels you need to power your home depends on the size of your home, the average amount of sunlight it receives, and your energy usage. A small home in a sunny location that uses a lot of energy will need more panels. But a large home in a shady location will use less energy.
You can use a solar panel calculator to estimate the number of panels you’ll need to power your home.
Solar Panel Output Efficiency
Another factor to consider for your solar system is quality. The output efficiency of a solar panel is the percentage of sunlight that is converted into electricity. The average efficiency of solar panels on the market today is between 15-20%.
This means there are 15-20 watts of electricity for every 100 watts of sunlight that hits the panel. A rule of thumb is that you need about 100 watts of solar panels for every 1,000 watts of electricity you use.
So, if you use 1,000 watts of electricity per day, you would need 10 solar panels with an output efficiency of 15%.
Household Energy Consumption
The average home in the U.S. consumes about 900 kWh of electricity per month. Thus, a household would need about 30 solar panels to completely offset their energy consumption.
But, solar panels are not 100% efficient. So a household would actually need 40 solar panels to meet their energy consumption.
Using a solar panel output calculator will help you determine the number of solar panels you need to use. The calculator will take into account your average daily energy usage, as well as the amount of sunlight that hits your location.
With that information, the calculator will be able to estimate the number of solar panels you’ll need to generate enough electricity to power your home.
Blue Raven Solar can provide you with more details on solar panel installation.
Consult A Solar Panel Expert
With the quick guide mentioned above, you are now ready to use solar panels for your home. If still, you are unsure, the best way to figure out how many solar panels you need is to consult with a solar expert.
If you need an expert in Solar in Tucson AZ, checkout Sun Club USA.
They can help you calculate the number of panels you need to offset your energy usage. As well as save you money on your energy bill.
Has this article been a great help?
If so, make sure to explore some of our other posts for more ideas on how to live a sustainable life.
