How Many Solar Panels Are Needed to Run a Home?
Installing solar panels allows you to generate your own electricity so you can buy less from the grid and use clean, renewable energy to power your home.
But just how many solar panels does it take to run a home? The answer is: it depends. There are many factors that impact the number of solar panels a house needs, and there is no one number that will make sense for every home.
Determining How Many Solar Panels You Need
There are a few key factors to consider when calculating the number of solar panels you need for your home.
Annual Electricity Consumption
Before you install a solar panel system, you need to find out how much electricity you use. You can calculate your annual electricity consumption by reviewing the past 12 months of your electric bills. Find the total monthly consumption listed on each statement (measured in kilowatt-hours) and add them up. The total number is your annual electricity consumption.
Hours of Sunlight
The more sunlight your home receives, the more solar power you can generate and the fewer solar panels you’ll need.
Solar Panel Output
The amount of electricity a solar panel can produce varies from one product to another. Solar panel output refers to the amount of electricity a solar panel can produce in ideal conditions. The higher the output (measured in watts), the more power the panel will generate.
Average Number of Solar Panels to Run a Home
It’s almost impossible to say how many solar panels are needed to run a house without knowing how much electricity the home consumes and how much sunlight it receives. But, to give you an idea, most houses will need somewhere between 15-25 solar panels to cover the majority of their power needs.
For a more accurate estimate based on your home, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a professional solar installer. Sustainergy Cooperative offers free solar assessments and can provide a detailed estimate of the number of solar panels you need and the cost to install solar panels in OH, KY, or IN.
Smart Solar Reduces the Number of Solar Panels You Need
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, improving your home’s energy efficiency is the best way to prepare. Finding ways to stop energy waste with home performance upgrades like attic insulation and air sealing will reduce your home’s total annual energy consumption so you can install a smaller, more affordable solar panel system. Plus, you’ll know your solar panels are generating power for a house that isn’t wasting it!
Our Smart Solar approach combines energy efficiency services with solar panel installation to maximize your savings and return on investment. We are committed to helping you find cost-effective solutions that will pay for themselves over time. Our expertise as an energy efficiency company makes us the best choice for your home solar installation in Ohio, northern Kentucky, or Indiana.
