How Big Are Solar Panels? Solar Panel Size Guide

Unsure of which solar system is right for you? Despite long-term savings, installing solar panels can come with high upfront costs, so it’s important to be properly clued up before making a purchase. Along with choosing a high-quality manufacturer and reliable installation service, one key factor to consider during the buying process is solar panel size.

The size of the solar panels you choose, as well as the number installed, directly determines how much electricity can be generated for your home. 

This is important because solar energy lowers your home’s reliance on electricity from the grid and instead increases your use of renewable energy sources. Not only is this great for the planet, but it also allows you to become more energy-independent and offsets the cost of rising electricity bills.

To help you make an informed choice, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on solar panel dimensions and sizes, including the number of solar panels you’ll need to power your home or business efficiently.

What Size is a Solar Panel System?

When we consider the meaning of solar panel size, there isn’t one specific answer – instead, it refers to a variety of factors that come together to produce solar energy in the form of kilowatts (kW).

These factors include:

Solar Panel Output

The maximum power output of a solar panel is measured in wattage, which indicates its ability to generate power from the sun’s rays. The standard solar panel size is between 350 and 500W, although this varies depending on the make and model of your chosen solar panel system.

Power output is a useful measurement in determining how many solar panels you need to install. For instance, if you choose a popular 6.6kW system, you’ll need either 13 x 500W panels or 18 x 350W panels.

Solar Cells

The size of a solar panel can also be described by how many cells it has.

The squares you see on solar panels are solar cells, which use the photovoltaic effect to convert light into direct current (DC) electricity. The inverter within your solar system then converts this into a more usable 230V alternating current (AC).

A solar panel’s size determines the number of solar cells that fit, which impacts how much electricity can be generated to power your home’s appliances and systems. Each solar cell is typically sized 156x156mm, although these dimensions have generally started to increase, leading to larger solar panels.

Solar Panel Dimensions

Physical dimensions are one of the most simple indications of a solar panel’s size. This is determined by measuring the height and width of the panel to give a general area, which can then be used to see how many can fit onto your roof as part of a complete solar system.

The dimensions that are right for your roof space will vary depending on the intended use of your panels. For instance, residential solar panels generally have smaller dimensions than those used for commercial purposes.

Solar Panel Weight

Weight is another important distinguishing factor when it comes to solar panel size. Choosing a panel that’s too heavy for the strength of your roof may damage the structure, so it’s important to check its capabilities before selecting solar panel sizes.

The heavier weight of commercial solar panels can also make them more vulnerable to wind gusts when being installed, as well as being more difficult to manoeuvre. Weight may therefore affect the solar panel sizes you choose if installation costs are a key deciding factor.

Solar Panel Sizes

Here in Australia, most households have a 5kW solar power system on average, made up of 14 panels. However, the solar panel size that you need will vary depending on your daily energy usage needs, mostly falling into one of the three following categories:

Residential Solar Panels

60-cell solar panels are most often used to power home appliances, water, heating, and cooling systems, and consist of 60 solar cells.

They consist of 60 solar cells, with each panel offering between 350w and 500w of electricity, while measuring from 1.6m (height) x 1m (width) to 1.7m x 1m. At 1.7ms squared, a standard 60-cell panel weighs approximately 18kg.

As we’ve mentioned, most standard homes and businesses go for 5kW systems, or even the 6.6.kW systems. These are affordable choices, with lower upfront costs, sufficient energy production guaranteed, and a fast return on your investment.

At Volteam, our 5kW solar systems consist of 12 x 440W panels, starting from $3,800, or $5.73 per day. We also offer models all the way up to 13kW, which are a top-value option for homes and small to medium-sized businesses.

Commercial Solar Panels

72-cell solar panels are generally around 30% larger than residential solar panels to accommodate the energy needs of medium to large businesses.

Commercial panels can also be used for solar farms, large-scale solar enterprises that generate thousands of megawatts of solar power every year.

These are a heavier option, making them harder and more costly to install. However, they are sometimes advantageous for residential properties if they’re able to fit on the available roof space.

Commercial solar panels measure 2.1m tall x 1.1m wide, weighing approximately 23.5kg. The most popular option here at Volteam is a 35.2kW system, which consists of 80 x 440w panels.

Half-Cell Panels

As the name suggests, these are solar panels with cells cut in half that keep the same size and weight as a standard solar panel size. They are generally available in both residential and commercial sizes, with 120 half-cell panels being equivalent to 60 cells, and 144 half-cell panels the same as 72 cells.

Half-cell panels are often used in modern solar panels because the electrical resistance in each of the cells is lower, while maintaining the same power output. This increases the overall efficiency of the solar panel.

How Many Solar Panels Should You Install?

When getting quotes from a solar panel retailer or installer, you’ll need to consider how many panels you need to meet your home or business’s solar energy needs.

If you’re a larger household or use solar energy to power your property for most of the day, it’s always better to choose a higher number so that you aren’t relying so much on electricity from the grid. This is particularly true for those trying to prioritise sustainability or make the switch to using more renewable energy sources.

During your consultation with a solar panel system designer and installer, keep these 4 factors in mind to ensure you’re selecting the best number of panels for your needs:

1. Electricity Usage

As you may expect, the more electricity your home or business uses, the more panels you’ll need to install within your solar system.

This can be calculated by looking at your electricity bill, which should indicate your average daily use in kilowatt-hours across the billing period. Most homes within Australia use between 11 to 23kWh per day, although this usually changes between the summer and winter months.

2. Roof Space

Roof space is arguably the most important factor when it comes to choosing the right number of solar panels because, ultimately, you can’t install panels where there isn’t room! It’s also important to have panels located in sunnier areas of the roof to maximise the amount of solar power generated.

Ensure that the solar system you choose is safe, accessible, and appropriately sized by getting your roof space checked with the help of a Clean Energy Council-accredited solar panel expert.

3. Location

As solar panels work through direct sunlight exposure, the amount of daylight your home gets will determine whether you require a greater or lower number of panels to generate the appropriate amount of power.

Homes that are shaded by trees or have obstructions on the roof may also need more solar panels.

4. Energy Production Goals

A well-designed, properly installed solar panel system has a lifespan of 20 years or longer. So, when considering how many solar panels to store, think about your future electricity consumption needs.

For instance, if you’re planning on upgrading to an electric vehicle, switching from gas heating, or installing a spa or air conditioning unit, your usage will increase. If you’re hoping to generate and store energy in a solar battery to use at night or through bad weather conditions, you should consider installing more solar panels too.

Choosing the Right Solar Panel Size

For proper guidance on selecting the right size and number of solar panels for your roof, it’s always best to work with expert solar installers in Redcliffe specializing in sustainable energy solutions – and that’s where Volteam comes in.

Our experts are Clean Energy Council-accredited to recommend and install top-quality solar panels from a range of leading brands, including Trina, JA, and Hyundai.

We know that there’s no one-size-fits-all system when it comes to solar energy; that’s why our team considers key elements like your property’s roof space, energy usage, and position in relation to the sun to design the optimal solar system for your home.

To offset those intimidating upfront costs, we also provide flexible finance arrangements, including zero upfront deposit and interest-free payment plans. Call us at 1300 865 832 or fill in your details online to get your free quote today.