How many solar panels do you need to power a house?

The average US home needs between 13-19 solar panels to fully offset how much electricity it uses throughout the year. This number varies based on your electricity usage, sun exposure, and the power rating of the solar panels. Use the equation below to get an estimate of how many solar panels you need to power a house.

How many solar panels can you install on a roof?

The size of your roof may limit how many solar panels you can install. A typical solar installation will need a minimum of 335 square feet of suitable roof space. For reference, an average roof is 1,700 square feet. If your roof can’t fit all the solar panels you need - that’s okay!

What size solar panels do I Need?

You'll want to look for solar panels with a higher output to cover your basic electricity needs. 250 and 300-watt solar panels are useful in smaller-scale solar projects. Popular solar panel sizes are between 400 and 430 watts. Solar panels need sunlight to generate electricity.

Can I install more solar panels than I Need?

Yes, you can install more solar panels than you need to prepare for future electricity usage costs, like charging an electric vehicle or switching to electric appliances. Some utilities have limits on how much a system can be oversized.

How do I choose a solar system?

Simply divide your household electricity consumption by the monthly peak sun hours to find the right system size for your home. Finally, you can divide the system size by the power output of a solar panel to find out how many solar panels you need. The higher a solar panel’s power output, the fewer panels you need to install.

Should I add more solar panels to my home?

As you plan your solar panel system, consider any anticipated increases in your home’s energy demands. Although it may be possible to add more panels later for extra costs, overcompensating for additional electricity use can help maximize your long-term solar return on investment by avoiding future labor and permitting expenses.