Are you thinking of going solar but you’re not quite sure how to do it?
One of the big questions, when most people start looking into solar panels, is how many you need to power your home. If you’re not too familiar with how solar panels work, then it’s easy to get confused about things like panel size and output.
In this post, we’re going to help you understand how many solar panels you’ll need to offset your electricity bill. Buying solar panels requires you to do a bit of research to understand the factors that affect power generation. Keep reading and you’ll feel much more prepared for this monumental decision.
How Many Solar Panels Does One House Need?
According to energysage.com, the average home needs between 20 and 25 solar panels on its roof to offset electricity usage. You can start with fewer – even one panel will make a difference – but it’s important to understand that the more panels you have, the more savings you’ll see.
Calculating how many panels you’ll need is actually relatively simple. All you’ll need to know is what your average energy requirements are in wattage, the amount of sunlight you get in your area, the efficiency of the panels that you’re looking at, and how large they are. You can get this info by looking at past bills, a climate analysis of your area, and information provided by the solar panel supplier.
Factors Affecting Solar Output
There are numerous factors that can affect how many solar panels you’ll need. One important one is how mindful you are when it comes to how much power you’re using. If you take special care to minimize the number of appliances you use or lights you keep on, then you won’t need as much power from your panels.
Other factors include your geographical location and the specifications of the panels you’re looking at. You can look to the Renewable Resource Data Center to get sunlight information for different states and cities.
When it comes to solar panel quality, the wattage, size, and efficiency all make a big difference. Typically, the PV cells that are installed on most homes range from 150 to 370 watts per panel, so the higher your panel’s efficiency, the fewer you’ll need to do the job.
When you combine these factors, it becomes easier to decide how many to purchase; for instance, if you live in Seattle, you’ll need more power than if you live somewhere sunnier like Indianapolis. That said, you can purchase higher efficiency panels to offset the need for a larger number of them. For those in Indianapolis, you can go to blueravensolar.com/indiana/indianapolis/ and peruse a wide range of panels for any budget.
Best Solar Panels On the Market
Figuring out how many solar panels you’ll need for your home isn’t rocket science, but it’s an important decision. The most costly and complicated aspect of installing solar panels is the actual installation process, so it’s crucial to crunch the numbers properly to ensure that you’ve got enough power. If you get it right, then you’ll never look back.
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