Solar panels are a practical and energy-efficient solution for all those who want alternative sources of electricity. If you live in a country with many sunny days and you have the conditions to install solar panels, the most common consideration is where to put them, but also how to not take up too much space.
If you have decided to invest in solar energy, then you probably have a lot of questions related to the purchase and installation process itself. What most interests users are how many panels are enough and where is the best place to install them.
The math is simple. You need to divide the total area by the area of an individual panel and you get a rough estimate of how many panels should be used.
However, the technical requirements should also be taken into account, because they also require space, as well as the complexity of the installation.
There are several decisive factors, such as the average use of energy in the household, the orientation of the roof or other surface, the average number of sunny days in the year, etc.
We recommend that you look at your electricity bills from the last year so that you can calculate what your average consumption was. Of course, keep in mind that there are fewer sunny days in winter, so energy consumption increases, that is, you need to heat the home.
At the same time, you must look for a suitable contractor who will be able to present you with all the advantages of solar panels. Ask for a quote and make an appointment, or even invite them to come to you, so you can know exactly what to expect. For more, see https://de-duurzame-jongens.nl/.
How many panels should be installed in an average family house?
Average family houses have about three bedrooms, one living room, two bathrooms, and a kitchen with a dining room. According to the area, an average house like this occupies up to 200 square meters, and it can be less, or much more.
If you have a classic roof of the house, then you can easily determine the area that should be covered with solar panels. Of course, the experts you work with can also do that.
You can also deepen the research. Check how many sunny days you can expect in your area. Determine if the layout of the house is favorable for panels. Also, do a simple calculation to compare whether the maximum number of panels you can place meets your average requirements. Of course, consider the quality of the solar panel itself.
What to do when solar panels cannot be installed on the roof?
Many houses have unusual roofs, so it may not be possible to install a solar panel on them. Of course, you should either find another surface or arrange them in the parts of the roof that are not in the shade. In any case, our recommendation is to check whether the specified number of panels can meet the needs of your household. Sometimes, the investment is not unprofitable, because you have to combine it with classic energy sources.
Factors that affect the number of panels you should install
When practical factors are to be considered, you must know that you should pay the most attention to:
– The usable area of the roof, that is, where they can be placed and how many hours of the day they are illuminated by the sun.
– The surface of the panel itself, also depends on the number of installed energy sources.
– The capacity of the panel itself, that is, how much of the solar energy the cells can convert.
Another important factor that you must not neglect is the weight of the panel itself. Some roof structures cannot withstand a lot of weight, so you should be careful with the assessment.
Our advice is to do this with the help of engineers and experts, who would help you consider all aspects of installing solar panels in your home. It will also help you estimate what the final cost of the entire installation will be and whether it will be worthwhile for you in the long run.
As you can see, all these parameters can vary, first of all, among different manufacturers, and then depend on the sunny days in your area, and even on the total area, you have available.
We recommend that you always keep in mind:
– The average consumption of energy in the home
– The number of sunny hours during the day
– The type of your roof or free surface
– The complexity of the construction of the house
– The capacity of the solar panel itself
Knowing these parameters, it is very easy to calculate and make a plan of how the installation will take place.
TLDR and conclusion
Let’s sum these things up. Instead of the usual conclusion, we will include the most important steps to consider:
- Measure the annual average kWh usage at your home, using the last 12 electricity bills
- Research how much energy a panel can produce
- Check if the production level is enough to serve your home as needed
- Use this data to calculate how many panels you would theoretically need to put on the roof
- Sum their surfaces up, and see if they would fit onto your roof
And that’s all!
You can repeat the procedure by changing the parameters if you use different brands or types of panels. But, it all goes the same.
You use the formula:
Panel Number = kWh usage / production ratio (level) / wattage
So, you get a number on how many panels you need. Divide the total area by that number, and you will estimate if you can install them anyway, or if you need to find another solution.
If it happens that you do not have enough free surface, then we recommend you to try panels with a higher thermal and energy capacity. Repeat the procedure again. Check that your calculations are correct. You can always ask for a specific offer from your seller, so you can be sure of the quality of the service.
