How many solar panels do you need?

Solar panels are a great step towards slashing energy bills and living a more sustainable life, but how many solar panels will you need to fit your unique lifestyle needs?

Well, no magic number fits every home because there’s a lot to consider. This guide will look at the things you need to consider to make the best decision on your home solar system.

• What should you consider when investing in solar?
• Your average energy usage
• Solar panel type
• Roof location & size
• Roof space available

What should you consider when investing in solar?

Solar panel installations are a great investment that can help you save money on your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact. But figuring out how many solar panels your home needs involves thinking about a few main things:

• Average energy usage
• Solar panel type
• Roof location and size
• Roof space available

Your average energy usage

This includes understanding your monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage and annual energy consumption. Looking at your electricity bills can give you a clear picture of your energy needs and set a baseline for your solar system size.

To calculate your daily average kWh usage, take the average monthly usage and divide it by 30 (assuming a 30-day month). This will give you an approximate figure for your average daily kWh usage.

Keep in mind that this is just an estimate and that electricity usage can change depending on things like the season and your lifestyle choices.

However, using your average and daily monthly electricity usage can provide a good starting point for figuring out how many solar panels generate enough electricity to meet your needs.

Want to know how much you could save with your own solar panels? Use our handy solar panel calculator to get a closer look at your potential solar savings today.

Solar panel type

Solar panels come in different levels of efficiency – how much daylight they can convert into usable electricity. Higher-efficiency panels get more power out of daylight, meaning you can generate the same amount of electricity with fewer panels.

Monocrystalline panels are made from a single silicon crystal and offer the highest efficiency, so you’ll need fewer to meet your energy needs. However, due to their better efficiency, they are often more expensive.

Polycrystalline panels, on the other hand, are formed from several silicon crystals and are less efficient than monocrystalline, meaning you might need more panels to get the same energy output – though they’re generally cheaper.

Roof location & size

While solar panel installations can still generate electricity on cloudy days, making them a great option for homes all over the UK, they will be limited if your roof doesn’t receive enough sunlight. Several things impact the amount of sun your roof receives:

• The direction it faces
• Its pitch
• If it’s shaded by nearby trees or buildings

South-facing roofs absorb the most daylight during the day, so they’re ideal for solar panels. East and west-facing panels are still good options as they also get good amounts of light over the day.

North-facing roofs receive the least direct daylight, so high-efficiency panels are good for compensating for this less-ideal orientation.

Roof space available

The amount of panels you can have will also depend on the size of your roof. The more roof space you have, the larger the solar system can be. These panels are designed to generate more electricity within a smaller area, making them ideal for roofs with limited space.

If you have plenty of roof space, you have more freedom to balance your energy needs with cost considerations by choosing panels that may offer a lower efficiency rating but still meet your energy goals.

Get expert solar help with Grant Store

If you’re having trouble figuring out how many solar panels you need, don’t worry—we’re here to help. We’ve got years of experience helping people like you upgrade homes with tailored solar panel installations. So, get in touch today and start your journey to a sustainable future with cheaper energy bills.