If you're looking to switch to solar, you may wonder if you have enough space to install the panels. This is a valid concern - solar panels are pretty big! Most home solar panels are about 5.5 feet x 3 feet and weigh roughly 40 pounds each.
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Most of the time, you won't see the size of solar panels expressed in feet. Instead, you'll see it's listed as the number of solar cells within a panel, with the most common solar panel sizes being 60-cell and 72-cell.
Let's take a closer look at the difference between these solar panel sizes and how to pick the right one for your home.
Calculate the costs and benefits of installing solar on your homeWhen you look at a solar panel, you’ll see it’s made up of small squares. Those squares are called solar cells, and they're the part of the panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
You'll see the size of a solar panel described by how many cells it has. 60-cell panels are usually laid out in a 6 by 10 grid and are the most popular option for home solar installations. You’ll typically find that 60-cell solar panels have output ratings between 350 and 400 watts and efficiency ratings between 17% and 19%.
72-cell panels, on the other hand, are usually arranged in a 6-cell by 12-cell grid. Because 72-cell panels hold more cells, they are bigger and can produce more solar power, making them popular for commercial installations. 72-cell panel wattage usually sits around 415 to 450 watts, but they can get into the 460-watt range. Their efficiency ratings are typically between 18% and 21%.
Many people want to know the physical size of solar panels, not just how many cells the hold. The average 60-cell solar panel is about 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, and weighs around 40 to 50 pounds. The actual dimensions will vary from panel to panel, so we’ve listed a few for some of the most popular 60-cell panels on the market:
72-cell panels are larger, about 80 inches by 40 inches and about 1.5 inches tall. This works out to just about 6.5 feet by 3 feet for 72 cell panels, give or take a few inches. 72-cell modules generally weigh around 50 pounds. Here are the dimensions for 72-cell panels offered by top brands:
Here’s a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of each panel size.
Once solar panels are installed on your roof, you don’t have to think much about their size anymore.
But, with portable off-grid panels, solar panel size is one of the most important things to consider. Your RV might only have a small amount of roof space, or you might want something you can carry around and set up outside your campsite!
Because portable solar panels are made for travel, they tend to be smaller and have about 40 cells as opposed to 60. 200-watt portable panels are around 5 feet by 2 feet.
You could also opt for flexible solar panels, which also measure about 5 feet by 2 feet. But flexible panels can bend and are much thinner than crystalline panels, so they’re easier for storage.
The flexible panel sold by Renogy, a popular portable solar brand, has 72 cells, but they’re smaller than the ones used in typical commercial panels. The panel is also substantially lighter, weighing just 10.8 pounds!
Folding solar panel kits are also an option for portable use. Foldable panels can be small enough to fit in your backpack, or large enough to power your RV - there's a wide range of options out there.
There are many factors that you should consider before the size of your solar panels, like solar panel efficiency and solar panel warranties.
Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of light that strikes the surface of a panel that is converted into usable electricity. Modern solar panels have efficiencies that range from around 17% up to 22.8% in some premium models.
Highly efficient panels take up less space, which will allow you to fit more panels on your roof.
There are two types of warranties that cover solar panels.
The first is the product warranty. This is the period during which you can ask the manufacturer to replace the solar panel should any problem arise. Nowadays, a product warranty of 12 years is standard, but more brands are starting to offer product warranties of 25 years.
The second type of warranty is a performance guarantee. Most mainstream panels have a 25-year production warranty, guaranteeing the panel will produce a certain level of output at every stage of the panel’s life. From the date your panels are installed up until the 25-year mark, the minimum guaranteed output of your panels will gradually decrease.
You can expect an output of close to 100% for year one, gradually down to between 80 and 92 percent for year 25. This loss in output is technically known as solar panel degradation. Some solar panel manufacturers, such as Canadian Solar, even offer a 30-year performance warranty on certain panel models.
Find out if solar panels are worth it for your homeThe easiest way for homeowners to figure out the best solar panel size for their needs is to work with a dedicated solar installer. Solar installers will size your system based on your energy needs, coupled with your available roof space and the sunlight in your area. They can recommend a system size that can fit on your roof and reduce or eliminate your electric bill.
Investing in solar power is like spending money on something brilliant. Solar power is a type of energy that's good for the environment. When you get a solar power system, the solar pv modules are the most expensive part, about 60% of the cost. It's also important to know that once you decide to use solar power, you'll be using it for a long time, like 25 years or more. So, picking the right solar panels is a big deal because they need to last a long time and save you money. That's why it's super important to buy good solar panels. We can help you choose the best solar panel that works for what you need.
When selecting solar panels, it's essential to consider key factors for optimal choice. Efficiency, indicating how effectively panels convert sunlight to power, should be balanced with quality from reputable manufacturers offering reliable products. Consider following points before deciding the solar panels:
Lets discuss these criteria one by one.
There are two main kinds of solar panels you can buy: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. They're named after the stuff they're made from. Monocrystalline panels are made from pure silicon, while Polycrystalline panels are made from many small pieces of melted silicon.
Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than Polycrystalline solar panels of the same size. They're also good at making electricity when it's not very sunny. But they cost a bit more. Some people pick Polycrystalline panels if they have a big roof and want to save money.
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Solar panels come in different grades: A, B, C, and D. These grades depend on how good the solar cells are. Nowadays, most panels are at least B grade because solar technology has gotten better. The difference between A and B-grade panels might not be easy to see, but it matters in the long run. We recommend getting A-grade panels. They look nice and work well. They go through tests to make sure they're good quality. Even though solar panel prices are going up, it's better to spend a little more for good quality.
When you want to get solar panels, think about what you want them to do:
Once you know what you want, you can figure out how many panels and what size you need. There are three sizes: small, medium, and big. Bigger panels make more electricity. Look at your past energy bills to know how much electricity you use, and then you can decide how many panels you need. If you have a big roof, you can get big panels to make more electricity. If your roof is small or has shadows, smaller panels might be better. You can also use a special meter to get credit for extra electricity you make and give back to the power company.
When you think about using batteries with solar panels, it's important to consider how much energy the batteries can store. This is especially useful when you can't use electricity from the grid, or if you want to save solar energy for later in case the power goes out.
To make sure the battery can provide power to your devices and make up for energy lost in inverters, you need to choose the right solar panel. Solar panels create energy from the sun, which can be stored in batteries for later use. The solar panel needs to produce enough energy to charge the battery and cover any energy losses.
Batteries have energy storage ratings mentioned in Ampere-hour (Ah), like 150Ah or 200Ah. They also have a certain voltage, which is like their electrical pressure, usually 12 volts. To pick the right solar panel, match it to the battery's rating and voltage. For example, if you have a 12V battery, use a 12V solar panel. If you have a 24V battery setup (which means you have two 12V batteries connected together), then you need a 24V solar panel.
To figure out how many solar panels and how much energy you need, you have to know how much current is required to charge the battery. For a 150Ah battery, you'll need a certain amount of current to charge it properly.
Imagine you have a 100 watts Mono PERC solar Panel which has a Vmpp (maximum power voltage) of 5 amps, you will need to connect 3 of these panels together to get 15 amps of current. This will help you charge a 150 ampere-hour (Ah) battery in 10 hours. On the other hand, if you decide to use a 190 Watt Mono PERC Solar panel, you will only need 2 of these panels to charge the same 150Ah battery in 10 hours.
Solar panels generate direct current (DC), while your household appliances require alternating current (AC) to function. Consequently, it is not feasible to directly link solar panels to your home appliances. To bridge this gap, an inverter is necessary to convert the DC generated by the solar panels into the AC that your household devices use.
Just as with batteries, it's important for the solar panel's specifications to match the inverter's capacity. Inverters come in various capacities, such as 12V, 24V, 48V, and so on. This means a 12V solar panel should be paired with a 12V inverter, while a 24V solar panel should be matched with a 24V inverter. Additionally, a series connection is essential to ensure a consistent voltage across the battery, inverter, and solar panel.
12V solar panel – 12V inverter – 12V battery
24V solar panel – 24V inverter – 12V x 2 battery
For 48 Volt Inverter:
Either connect two 24V solar panels in series or connect four 12V solar panels in series, along with four 12V batteries connected in series.
24V x 2 solar panel – 48V inverter – 12V x 4 battery
The electricity output of a given solar panel is determined by various factors, including its power rating, power tolerance, efficiency, and temperature coefficient. These factors collectively determine the panel's potential power generation.
Power Tolerance: Solar panels are assigned a "tolerance" rating, indicating whether the panel will perform below, meet, or exceed its stated "nameplate" rating. This rating is indicated as a percentage range (-%/+%) on the panel's specifications sheet and physical label.
For instance, an ordinary solar panel might claim a guaranteed output of 375 watts, but in reality, it might only produce 370 watts under standard test conditions (STC). This panel could have a tolerance of -3%/+3%, meaning it could produce 3% less than the stated wattage due to production issues, but it also has the potential to generate 3% more than the specified wattage under optimal conditions.
An A-Grade solar panel, such as the Bluebird 400W Mono PERC solar panel, boasts a tolerance of 0%/+3%. This implies that the panel only exhibits positive power tolerance, ensuring it will consistently generate more power than its rated wattage. This tolerance, or efficiency rating, should be a key consideration.
It's also important to ensure that the solar panels you install are designed to endure the specific conditions of your region. Seek out panels that meet the IEC standard, which is established by the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) to assess reliability. The IEC involves an accelerated outdoor stress test to verify the panels' durability. In India, solar panels certified by BIS, such as Bluebird Solar, are recognized as a symbol of trust.
Solar product warranties operate similarly to the warranties you receive when purchasing consumer electronics like iPads, televisions, or computers. However, while most electronic products typically offer around one year of coverage, and possibly up to three years with extended protection, PV (photovoltaic) product warranties function differently. Solar technology, lacking moving parts, ranks as one of the most robust energy generation technologies globally. Furthermore, each component undergoes rigorous testing prior to being introduced to the market.
(1) Performance Warranty: Under standard conditions, solar panel output will naturally degrade, though it should not deteriorate by more than 10-20% over 25 years. Typically, performance drops by approximately one-half to one percent annually.
Typically, a solar panel's performance warranty guarantees 90% production for 10 years and 80% for 25 years. When panel performance falls below these thresholds, the performance warranty takes effect, allowing for the repair or replacement of underperforming panels. The company may assess your solar panel either at their testing facility or through a third-party testing facility. After confirming that the panel's underperformance is due to internal defects, they will honour the warranty.
(2) Product Warranty: The manufacturing or product warranty safeguards your product against manufacturing defects.
This includes any deterioration in the product's appearance (such as mechanical wear, rust, hot spots, snail trails, and other aesthetic flaws).
The article examined the crucial aspects to take into account prior to selecting the most fitting solar panels for your needs.
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