At Amco Renewables, we believe knowledge is power, and when you take the leap into renewable energy sources, you should have all the information possible to make the right choices. Solar panels are the most popular type of energy source–and for good reason!
When trying to figure out how many solar panels you need, many factors affect that answer. This ranges from how much space you have available, if you have a flat roof, how many sun hours your property can take advantage of, and many others.
In this blog, we’ll go over how many solar panels you need, how to calculate your annual electricity usage, and more.
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Solar Power: Future-Proof Electricity
Solar power is a renewable energy source that can help reduce your electricity bills and carbon footprint through installing solar panels. Installing solar panels can be a great investment, but it’s essential to determine how many solar panels you need to meet your energy needs, which we’ll learn all about later.
A typical solar panel system consists of multiple solar panels, a solar inverter, and a mounting system. The number of solar panels needed depends on several factors, including your annual electricity consumption, available roof space, and annual energy usage.
Fewer panels means less electricity, but could be the best solution if you use less electricity annually than average households, aren’t charging an electric car, or have less usable roof space.
Determining Annual Electricity Consumption
To determine how many solar panels you need, you first need to calculate your annual electricity consumption which you can find on your monthly energy bills or by contacting your energy supplier, typically measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
A higher electricity consumption means you’ll need more solar panels to generate the same amount of energy. If you’re also charging and electric vehicle using residential solar panels, your electricity needs will be higher than average. This can be counteracted by installing high efficiency panels which produce more power than the average solar panel.
Assessing Energy Needs
Assessing your energy needs is crucial to determining the right size of your solar panel system. For example, if you work from home, you may need greater energy production from your solar panels, which may affect how many solar panels you need.
If the household’s energy consumption is more in line with typical energy usage, such as mainly in the evenings, there may be fewer solar panels required.
You can use a solar energy calculator to estimate your energy needs and determine how many solar panels you’ll need. Don’t forget that factors like roof orientation, roof size, average sunlight hours, and energy efficiency can also impact your energy needs.
Calculating the Number of Solar Panels Needed
To calculate the number of solar panels needed, you’ll need to divide your annual electricity consumption by the solar panel’s output. Keep in mind that a typical solar panel produces around 250-400 watts of electricity.
You’ll also need to consider factors like roof space, energy usage patterns, and sunlight hours to determine the optimal number of solar panels.
For reference, below is a table of average annual electricity usage correlating to how many solar panels you need.
Roof Considerations
Your roof plays a crucial role in determining the number of solar panels you can install, so you’ll need to consider roof size (especially limited roof space), roof orientation, and condition to ensure it can support the weight and size of the solar panels you need for maximum energy output.
South-facing roofs with minimal shading are ideal for solar panels, but you may need to trim trees or remove obstructions to ensure optimal sunlight exposure.
How Much Electricity Can Solar Panels Generate?
You will most likely find that a solar panels system produces more or has the same energy production as standard electricity.
A typical solar panel can produce around 250-400 watts of electricity, and if you install enough solar panels, you’ll have all the electricity you need.
A solar investment is the best way to ensure a renewable future, and lower electricity bills. If you want to talk to someone about how many panels you need for the best solar panel efficiency, get in touch with Amco Renewables today.
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Solar Panels FAQs
Will a 200W solar panel run a fridge?
A 200w solar panel may be able to run a small fridge, but it won’t be able to continuously run a large household appliance on its own. The higher the solar panel wattage, the better its energy output will be.
What is the 20% rule for solar panels?
The 20% rule for solar panels is a guideline that suggests solar panel systems should be able to produce about 20% more electricity than the household’s average annual electricity consumption. While the 20% rule doesn’t apply to all properties, it may affect you depending on how much energy you need.
How many solar panels do I need for a 3 bedroom house in the UK?
As above, we recommend between 10 to 12 solar panels. While this may produce excess energy, you can always store that excess energy in solar batteries for later use.
