How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?

Everyone has heard the term “More bang for your buck”; essentially, you get more out than what you put in. This saying never rang truer than when it is talking about solar power energy. If you have solar panels on your roof, you can start to effectively MAKE money instead of paying an electricity bill every quarter. 

So, it would make sense that the more panels you have, the more energy you can produce and therefore the more money you could potentially collect, right? Not always. If the overall capacity of the system can’t handle the amount of the energy being produced, the number of panels is a moot point. Dawson Electric discusses what factors need to be considered when installing solar panels on your roof.

What size Solar Energy System is for me?

The size of the Solar Energy System you need to meet your energy requirements is determined by doing some simple math. Firstly, you need to find what your daily electricity consumption is. You find this on your quarterly electricity bill. 

Next, you need to divide this number by the amount of kW your solar system can produce. Most systems produce around 4.5kW per day (there are more powerful systems on the market, but we will stick with the average for this example). So, say you average daily consumption is 15kW, the equation should look something like this: 15kWh / 4.5kWh = 3.33 kWh (3 kW System). 

Now, there are obviously environmental factors that play a part in how much energy a system can produce such as your location, the time of year and the amount of sunlight you are getting, but again, this is just an example.

Now how many Solar Panels do I need?

Before you decide how many solar panels you need, you first need to decide on what model of panels you wish to install. This can be the difference from installing 12 panels or 18 panels depending on the quality of the model. For this example, let’s say you have decided to go with a quality brand such as SunPower, who have an output range of 250W. Some more simple maths will determine how many panels are needed.

3kW / 250 W x 1000 = 12.

From this equation, we have determined that 12 panels will be required for a 3 kW system to produce enough energy for your household.

Where should I place the Solar Panels?

When you are talking to your solar panel installation company, you should always discuss the layout of the panels and where they should be placed on your roof. Having a clever design can ensure that you have maximum energy absorption. 

Given that the sun is at its strongest around the middle of the day and directly north in the sky, it would make sense to have your panels situated on your roof facing directly up. But placing the solar panels facing towards the west can increase the amount of energy your system gets in the afternoon. This can benefit a family that uses a fair amount of energy at nighttime.

Have Solar Panels but they aren’t running efficiently? Contact Dawson Electric today

Our team at Dawson Electric have decades of experience repairing and maintaining all types of solar panels. Whether it just needs a quick clean or a complete panel repair, the team has got you covered. Contact Us today to talk to one of specialists who can work with you to determine the best course of action.