Maybe you have seen ads for solar panels and how they can save you money, maybe your neighbors just got some and now you are considering getting some. One of the major factors you need to consider solar panels is the size of your roof. The size of your roof will determine how many solar panels you can install, which will impact the amount of energy your system can produce.
There are a few simple steps you can follow to determine how many solar panels you will need. The first step is to take the last 6 months of energy bills and average out the your usage. This will give you a ballpark amount on how much energy your solar panels will need to produce to offset your usage.
After you have determined your average energy usage, you can begin to calculate how many solar panels you will need. A typical solar panel system produces about 250 watts of energy per panel. This means that for every kilowatt (kW) of energy you need to produce, you will need about 4 solar panels.
For example, if your energy needs are 10 kW, you will need approximately 40 solar panels. This is only an estimate on the actual number of panels you will need because there are other factors that influence how much energy is produced. These factors include, but are not limited to the efficiency of the panels, the orientation of your roof and the amount of sunlight your roof receives.
Once you determine approximately how many solar panels you will need the next thing to tackle is your roof. The size, pitch, orientation and additional structures can all impact the number of solar panels you can have and their efficiency.
When talking about roof orientation, solar panels typically are most efficient on south facing roofs because they receive the most sunlight. That does not mean they cannot be installed on roofs that face other directions. Only that they might be less efficient or you may need to install more than you originally planeed.
The pitch of your roof can also impact how many solar panels you can have installed and their efficiency. Most solar panels need to be installed at a specific angle to maximize the amount of sunlight they receive. This angle can vary by location. If your roof has a steep pitch, it might be more difficult to install them or limit the number that can be installed.
Finally, if you have obstructions on your roof, such as chimney’s, vents, or skylights, those can impact where you can install panels. Obstructions might also mean that you need specialized planning or customization.
Solar panels are a great enviromentally friendly way to reduce your electricity bill, but they do require planning. Evaluating your energy needs and the estimated number of panels is the first step. After that you have to consider the size of your roof, pitch of your roof, orientation and potential obstructions. This information will allow you to develop a plan to maximize the amount of energy your panels produce.