Solar panels generate electricity using free energy from the sun so you can save money on your electric bills. But can solar power your whole house and just how many solar panels would you need to do it?
Solar Energy Solutions has helped thousands of homeowners switch to solar energy. In our experience, most houses need between 15 and 20 panels to cover the majority of their power consumption, but every home is different. In this guide, we’ll talk about what goes into solar panel system sizing and how many panels you might need for your home.
Let’s dive in!
Factors that Impact Solar Panel Sizing
All of the residential solar panel systems we install are custom-sized based on the homeowner’s needs, and a lot goes into our sizing decisions. But there are three key factors that we always consider when sizing a solar energy system.
Electricity Usage
The amount of electricity you use will directly affect how many solar panels you need. For example, a small house with only a handful of electric appliances will use a lot less power (and need a lot fewer solar panels) than a big house with a heat pump, EV charger, and hot tub.
We’ll start your solar installation by analyzing the past 12 months of your electric bills to determine how much power you use and, therefore, how much power your solar panels need to generate.
Available Space
Space is another key factor to consider when sizing your solar panel system—your solar panels have to fit within the available roof or ground space. Solar Energy Solutions installs rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels and will design a custom system that takes full advantage of the space you have available.
Climate
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, making climate an essential factor to consider when installing solar panels. Solar panels can work in almost any climate, but they will produce more electricity in areas that receive a lot of sunlight. If you live in a darker climate, you can compensate for the reduced sunlight by installing more solar panels.
Can a House Be 100% Solar?
A house can absolutely run exclusively on solar power. To achieve this, you will need a custom-sized solar panel system based on your home’s electricity consumption and a solar battery system. Solar batteries store the excess electricity your solar panels produce during the day so you can use solar power at all times, even when the sun isn’t shining.
How to Calculate Solar System Size
The best way to determine how many solar panels you need to power your house is to schedule a consultation. Solar Energy Solutions offers free, no-pressure consultations to help you decide whether solar is worth it for your home. With just a little bit of information about your home and electricity consumption, we can provide a free system size and cost estimate based on your electricity needs, roof space, and geographic location.
Solar Energy Solutions is a leading local solar installer serving homeowners and businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia. We’re a family company that is committed to providing high-quality solar installation services that help homeowners save money. If you’re interested in solar panels for your home, give us a call to talk about your options with an experienced solar consultant.
