How To Select Solar Panel Capacity

Calculate the size of your solar system.

How to select solar panel capacity.

A higher array to inverter ratio may work for your system if your solar panels will not produce at their maximum power output due to the factors mentioned above. But how do you choose from the dozens of solar providers. Solar inverters convert the low voltage dc electricity created by your solar panels to the 120 volts ac electricity used by household appliances. 17 42 panels to generate 11 000 kwh year.

Solar panels are a long term investment which is why it s important to thoroughly vet providers to find the right one for your needs. You can calculate how many solar panels you need by multiplying your household s hourly energy requirement by the peak sunlight hours for your area and dividing that by a panel s wattage. A solar inverter functions to convert the direct current dc generated by solar panels into the alternating current ac which is used by families. Sizing a solar inverter is an important part of any solar installation big or small.

Do research on solar panel manufacturers. Then divide the kw output by your panel s efficiency to get the estimated number of solar panels you ll need for your system. How to choose your solar panels in 3 steps determine solar panel efficiency and compare to industry average of 16 18 check solar panel manufacturer warranties against industry average of 10 25 years compare cost to relative efficiency efficiency is important but the most efficient panels aren t. How to choose the right solar inverter size for your solar power system.

Picking a solar panel brand. The solar panel industry has grown a lot in the past few years. The benefit of oversizing your solar array relative to the inverter capacity is that lower wattage inverters will be less expensive than their larger counterparts. From this perspective choosing the best solar inverter for you is extremely important if you are planning to go solar or buy it for your solar power.

Capacity is the total amount of electricity that a solar battery can store measured in kilowatt hours kwh. To figure out how to size your solar system take your daily kwh energy requirement and divide it by your peak sun hours to get the kw output. Most home solar batteries are designed to be stackable which means that you can include multiple batteries with your solar plus storage system to get extra capacity. Use a low wattage 150w and high wattage 370w example to establish a range ex.

Be sure to check the manufacturer s performance warranty in addition to the product materials warranty. If you re feeling overwhelmed by your options or aren t sure where to start follow this helpful step by step guide to find the right solar.