Over the past couple of years, solar energy has continued to grow and gain popularity among people seeking to cut energy costs. If you are considering solar energy as a substitute for electricity in Nevada, it is likely that you are wondering how many solar panels will meet your needs.
Generally, the answer to this question depends on a number of factors. This article takes a closer look at the factors to consider and provides a general estimate.
Factors To Consider
In general, most homes will require between 18 to 26 solar panels to serve all the needs that were previously covered by electricity. The exact number of panels will depend on several factors, such as:
Energy goal
People install solar panels for different reasons. Some do it to avoid frequent outages while others want to save money on electricity. Your goals and motivations for going solar can be a factor here. For example:
- People who plan to participate in net metering will need solar panels that exceed their home needs.
- People who want to avoid power outages need enough panels for a solar battery storage system.
- People who want to help the planet need enough solar panels for their home needs to avoid electricity completely.
Energy use
Every home has different energy usage, depending on the number of electronic devices and other factors. You can estimate your usage by looking at the old electricity bills. For example, if you run air conditioning a lot or have high-usage appliances, you will need more panels than homeowners with low energy usage.
Solar panel output
Solar panels have specific electricity generation capabilities depending on their relative efficiency and the number of solar cells per panel. In addition, the level of output depends on the angle of installation.
If your roof only accommodates some panels in a single array, they will have to be placed in different areas and directions, impacting the number of panels needed to suit your needs.
Calculating the Size of Your Solar Panel System
You can perform a simple calculation to estimate the number of solar panels needed. To do this, you require to know the following:
- The amount of energy you use per year
- How many watts will meet your specific needs
- How efficient are your solar panels
For example, suppose you use 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in a year, the solar panels yield 2.5 kilowatt-hours per day, and the production ratio is 1.4, depending on the number of sunny days per year. The calculation will be as follows:
2.5 × 310 = 775 watts (This means that one solar panel produces 775 watts per year)
To get the number of panels you need, divide 10,000 watts by 775 to get 12.9 which translates to 13 panels.
Finally, multiply the number of panels by the estimated power ratio. So, 1.4 × 13 = 18 panels
Contact Solar Optimum
Generally, a typical home requires between 18 to 26 solar panels to cover all electricity needs. At Solar Optimum, we will consider your needs and the size of your house to accurately calculate the number of solar panels you need at the best price. Contact us for a free consultation, quote for solar, or questions regarding solar, roof, and storage.
