The question of “How large are solar panels?” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. The size of the solar panels you choose for residential or commercial solar systems is significant.
Firstly, the dimensions of solar panels, typically measured in height and width, determine how many panels can be accommodated on the available roof space. The number of panels directly impacts the electricity your solar system can generate.
Apart from the physical dimensions, the power output or wattage of the panels, measured in Watts (W), also plays a crucial role in determining the number of panels required to meet specific electricity generation needs.
In this blog, we will primarily focus on the sizes, dimensions and wattage of solar panels.
This question often arises when homeowners contemplate the installation of a solar energy system. However, the answer is not a simple one.
Two key factors come into play:
Panel Dimensions: These are typically measured in meters or centimeters, encompassing both height and width.
Maximum Power Output: This is typically measured in wattage, denoted as ‘W.’
The physical size of a solar panel directly influences the number of solar cells it can house. This, in turn, determines the amount of electricity that can be generated from the captured solar energy.
The dimensions of solar panels can vary depending on their intended use. For instance, solar panels designed for commercial applications are often larger than those for residential use. This size disparity is primarily due to the availability of more extensive roof spaces for accommodating larger panels (and a greater number of them).
Now, let’s delve into these factors in more detail.
Solar panels are comprised of solar cells, which are the square-shaped units that you can observe on the panels. These cells harness the photovoltaic effect to directly convert light energy into electricity. The quantity of solar cells within a solar panel directly correlates with its power generation capacity. Historically, solar cell dimensions were typically 156mm x 156mm. However, in the last 3-4 years, there has been a trend towards larger-sized solar panels.
Residential solar panels typically consist of 60 solar cells (or 120 half-cut solar cells) and generally produce electricity within the range of 250W to 400W. The physical dimensions of these panels can vary, ranging from 1.6m in height by 1.0m in width to 1.7m in height by 1.0m in width.
The most common residential solar panels are sized at 1.7m in height by 1.0m in width, covering an area of 1.7 square meters, with a maximum power output of around 330W.
Commercial solar panels are equipped with 72 solar cells, which are larger to accommodate the additional cells. These panels are approximately 30% larger than their residential counterparts and typically measure around 2.1m in height by 1.1m in width, covering an area of about 2.3 square meters.
These 72-cell panels are primarily used for commercial solar installations, especially on structures with more extensive roof areas or within solar farms. It’s worth noting that despite their designation as “commercial,” these panels can also be employed on smaller residential rooftops, provided there is adequate space available.
In certain situations, the spacing of the purlins and the slightly smaller size of 60-cell panels allow for an extra row of panels on a residential roof, which is why they are more frequently utilized in residential projects.
You may also encounter 120 half-cell panels (equivalent in size to 60-cell panels) or 144 half-cell panels (equivalent in size to 72-cell panels). As the name suggests, these half-cell panels have their solar cells cut in half. This modification maintains the panel’s overall output while reducing electrical resistance in each cell, resulting in improved solar cell efficiency. This technology is now commonly integrated into most newer solar panel models.
These half-cell panels are similar in size and weight to their full-cell counterparts.
Solar Panel | Width | Height | Depth |
60-cell | 39” | 66” | 1.3” – 1.6” |
72-cell | 39” | 77” | 1.3” – 1.6” |
96-cell | 41.5” | 62.6” | 1.38” |
The capacity to harness solar energy and convert it into electricity can vary across different brands and types of solar panels. This variation is often quantified in terms of wattage output (W), with panels ranging from around 250W to slightly over 400W. The power output per panel plays a pivotal role in determining the quantity of panels required to produce a desired amount of electricity.
To generate 1 kilowatt (1kW) of power, a solar system might necessitate as few as four 250W panels or as few as 2.5 400W panels, assuming that the panels share the same dimensions. For instance, 6.6kW systems are frequently used in residential solar setups, and such a system would typically require 27 panels rated at 250W or 17 panels rated at 400W.
Newer models of solar panels are generally known for their enhanced efficiency and greater electricity-generating capacity.
Solar Panel Size | Wattage |
2 kW | 2,800 kWh per year |
4 kW | 5,600 kWh per year |
6 kW | 8,400 kWh per year |
8 kW | 11,200 kWh per year |
10 kW | 14,000 kWh per year |
The majority of solar panels typically generate an output ranging from 250 to 400 watts, although there are instances where panels can surpass the 400-watt mark. With this information, you can employ the solar system calculation formula to determine the appropriate size for your solar system.
For instance, the average energy consumption for an American household stands at around 867 kilowatt-hours per month. To entirely offset this usage, you would need a solar array with a capacity of 6.5 kilowatts. In simpler terms, this translates to requiring approximately 20 to 25 solar panels to effectively cover the monthly electrical needs of an average American household.
To ascertain the precise number of panels necessary for your specific situation, it’s essential to reference your utility bills, which provide details about your monthly and annual energy consumption. Armed with this information, you can make more accurate calculations tailored to the dimensions of the solar panels you are considering.
To assist you in estimating your requirements, we’ve included a sample chart below, assuming an average output of 320 watts per solar panel:
Solar Panel Examples – (Calculated 320 watts per solar panel) | ||
System Size | Panels Required | Average Annual Production |
6 kW | 19 | 9,600 kWh |
8 kW | 25 | 12,800 kWh |
10 kW | 32 | 16,000 kWh |
12 kW | 38 | 19,200 kWh |
14 kW | 44 | 22,400 kWh |
The weight of solar panels is important for two main reasons:
A standard 60-cell solar panel weighs about 18kg (40 pounds), while a 72-cell solar panel weighs about 23.5kg (52 pounds). 72-cell panels are also taller than 60-cell panels, making them more difficult to carry and maneuver. This can be especially challenging when installing the panels on a roof.
In addition, 72-cell panels are more vulnerable to being caught by wind gusts during installation. This is because they have a larger surface area.
For these reasons, it is important to consider the weight of solar panels when choosing a system and when planning the installation of solar panel in India.
Our Blogs With a combined experience of over 250 years and the successful management of 30 MW of solar energy projects, GSER offers the most efficient solutions. Best Solar Panels in India Talk To Us – We’re Here To Help Investing in a solar system...
Read More
Our Blogs With a combined experience of over 250 years and the successful management of 30 MW of solar energy projects, GSER offers the most efficient solutions. 100kW Solar Panel Price in India with Subsidy Talk To Us – We’re Here To Help Choosing a...
Read More
Our Blogs With a combined experience of over 250 years and the successful management of 30 MW of solar energy projects, GSER offers the most efficient solutions. Solar Panel Sizes & Wattage Talk To Us – We’re Here To Help The question of “How large...
Read More