Adding solar panels to your home or business is a fantastic way to cut down on your energy costs and reduce your environmental footprint. However, it’s not always clear how many panels will be enough for your energy needs.
Not to worry. We’ve created a handy guide to help you figure out how many solar panels you’ll need for your premises, taking into account factors like your energy usage, where you’re located, and your goals. We also give you a simple calculation for a more accurate estimate. Keep reading to learn more!
Which factors affect the number of panels you’ll need?
There are a number of factors you’ll need to keep in mind when deciding on the number of panels you’ll need for your property. Here are some of the main ones:
1. Current energy usage
First things first, you should check your bills to see how much electricity each appliance in your property is consuming. This will give you a clearer idea of where energy is spent and how much is used overall.
If you’d like to reduce the number of solar panels you’ll have to buy, consider swapping out your older, less energy-efficient appliances with newer versions. For example, you could replace your old incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs to save on your lighting costs.
2. Location
Your solar panel’s performance is closely tied to your location in the country. In sunnier areas, you’ll need fewer panels to generate the same amount of energy. Generally, the eastern and southern parts of the UK tend to have nicer weather with more sunshine, while the west and north may not be as fortunate in that regard.
3. Energy goals
Not everyone has the same goal for their solar panels: some people aim to cover 100% of their energy needs, while others might want to offset a specific percentage. So you can make sure you’re getting enough panels, you should decide how much of your energy consumption you want them to cover.
How to calculate the number of panels you’ll need
Most solar panels produce about 250 to 400 watts (W) of power and generate roughly 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day. To get a rough estimate of how many panels you’d need to cover your energy usage, you can use this simple formula:
Annual Energy Consumption / (Daily Production x 365) = Number of Panels
For example, if you live in a medium-sized two-bedroom house with three people, you might use about 2,900 kWh of energy in a year. Here’s how you’d use the formula:
2,900 / (1.5 x 365) = 5.29, which you can round to about five or six panels.
Of course, this formula doesn’t factor in things like your location or energy goals, but it’s a good starting point to build on!
Get help from the professionals at Solar Service Solutions
Hopefully, the guide above has been helpful in getting a basic idea of the number of solar panels you’ll need for your home or business. If you’re still not sure or would like expert advice, however, your best bet is to reach out to a reputable solar panel specialist like Solar Service Solutions.
At Solar Service Solutions, we specialise in helping property owners across the South get the most of solar power. After surveying your property and looking at your energy usage, our accredited team will determine exactly how many panels you need to meet your energy goals.
Afterward, we can design a personalised solar system that not only excels in performance but is also built to last. We’ll then carefully install your new system and be here whenever you need assistance or advice.
Ready to kickstart your solar journey? Book a free survey online or give us a call on 0330 124 29410 today!
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To find out how much we can help you save on your energy bills with a bespoke solar solution, contact our expert team!