Solar Panel Sizes report
Solar energy is arguably the most versatile of all energy sources. One-inch-long solar strips can power calculators, and hundreds of acres of solar panels can power several towns. It can be used for any size application. Of course, it's neither easy nor wise to make a panel that covers an entire roof or acres of land. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture panels of different sizes.
One of the first questions people ask when choosing to install PV is: "Where am I going to build my system?" Solar panels take up quite a bit of space, and not every roof has enough room to accommodate them.
Although the underlying technology and system structure are the same almost everywhere, panel sizes vary depending on the available installation space. Residential systems, usually rooftop systems, typically require several hundred square feet. They also need to give due consideration to the roof's load-bearing capacity. This article will cover standard solar panel sizes and explain how to determine how many solar panels you need.
Solar Panel Size Guide
Solar panel systems are an increasingly common sight on rooftops, but it can be challenging to figure out how big solar panels are and how much they weigh unless you climb up onto a roof. There are two types of solar panels: residential and commercial solar panels. For residential solar panels, the standard dimensions are 66×39 inches for the panel, about 1.25×1.6 inches for the frame, and each panel usually weighs about 42 pounds. While this may vary from brand to brand, it is typically the same for all residential solar panels.
The dimensions of commercial panels are typically larger than residential solar panels, at around 39 inches wide and 77 inches long, and they usually weigh 50 pounds or more. Like residential solar panels, size can vary depending on the manufacturer and how the solar panel is made.
Standard Solar Panel Dimensions
Regardless of its application, residential and commercial solar panels are made the same way. Each solar panel is made up of individual solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV solar cells come in a standard size of 156 mm by 156 mm (approximately 6 inches x 6 inches). Most solar panels for rooftop solar installations are made up of 60 solar cells, while the standard for commercial solar installations is 72 cells and can go up to 98 cells or more. The smaller size makes them ideal for residential rooftop installations, and commercial solar systems tend to produce more power than residential systems.
Standard solar panels come in two common configurations: 60-cell and 72-cell:
- 60-cell panels are laid out in a 6×10 grid, 39″ x 66" (3.25 feet x 5.5 feet).
- 72-cell panels are laid out in a 6×12 grid, making them about a foot taller, 39" x 77" (3.25 feet x 6.42 feet).
Solar Panel Size Chart
Nowadays, the standard 60-cell and 72-cell panel sizes are the most common in the industry.
| Configuration | Width | Length | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60-cell (residential solar panels) | 39" / 3'25" | 66" / 5'5" | 1.3" – 1.6" |
| 72-cell (commercial solar panels) | 39" / 3'25" | 77" / 6'42" | 1.3" – 1.6" |
| 90-cell | 41.5" | 62.6" | 1.38" |
How Many Solar Panels Do You Need
"How many solar panels does my house need?" It is one of the most common questions for an aspiring solar homeowner. Determining how many solar panels you will need for your home requires first knowing your goals. To calculate how many solar panels you need, you need to know:
- Your average energy requirements.
- Your current energy use in watts.
- The climate and amount of sunlight in your area.
- The efficiency of the solar panels you’re considering.
- The physical size of the solar panels you’re considering.
Do not worry about the wrong solar panel size for your rooftop. A straightforward way of answering the "How many solar panels do I need" question is to consult a professional solar installer who can give you a free home solar evaluation.
