There’s a lot of buzz about solar energy here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and that’s a beautiful thing! More buzz means more people are joining the solar power movement and making a difference for the planet and for their pocketbooks. 

If you’re interested in this eco-friendly power source for your home and are trying to learn more about it, the amount of information on the subject can seem a little bit overwhelming at first. We’ve created this beginner’s guide to help you learn about one of the most important factors in designing your solar system: solar panel size. 

How Big is a Solar Panel?

Is the size and dimension of a solar panel just a matter of preference, or is it an essential aspect? Are they sized differently? How do you know which size is right for your home?

There are several smaller sized panels used for a solar-powered entry gate, solar-powered road construction signs, and backpacks with built-in solar panels to power small devices. Solar energy applications are everywhere. Of course, larger panels are needed for bigger demand such as a house or building. The size corresponds to the quantity of energy needed. 

There are a variety of solar panel sizes, but there are also different types of solar panels.

While there are several solar panel manufacturers with different quality solar panels, residential product dimensions are according to standard solar panel size.

The difference in dimension and sizing of solar panels is really a matter of residential or commercial solar panels. Each residential panel is made up of 60 individual solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. The standard size of a PV panel is 156 mm by 156 mm, which is approximately 6 inches long and 6 inches wide. So residential solar panel dimensions are 5ft long and 3ft wide. =

The size of a typical solar panel used for commercial purposes is 72 PV cells (can go up to 98 cells or more) which makes the standard commercial solar panel about 13 inches longer compared to residential. 

How Much Do Solar Panels Weigh?

Knowing the size of a residential solar panel, you may wonder how much a solar panel weighs. Will your roof be strong enough to support a solar system big enough to power your house? 

A residential solar panel weighs an average of 40lbs. These weigh between 33lbs and 50lbs depending on the manufacturer. A 6kw solar system takes about 20 average-sized panels, which translates to 800lbs added to a roof. 

What Size Solar System Do I Need?

The number of solar panels you’ll need depends on the orientation of your roof and how many hours of sunlight the roof gets per day. 

You can calculate this by dividing your average hourly wattage requirement by the number of daily peak hours in your area. This tells you the amount of energy your panels need to produce every hour. For instance, the average U.S. home (900kWh/month) is in an area that sees five peak sunlight hours per day. So, this residence would require 6,250 watts.

Contact the Solartime Experts for Dallas Solar Questions and Installation

If you’re not a fan of math, Solartime USA will do these calculations for you and take the guesswork out of your quest to go solar. We calculate the system size according to your expectations and energy needs. 

Choosing which Dallas solar panel company to go with should be a well-informed decision. Take the opportunity to learn more about how long solar panels last and how many solar panels it takes to power a house.

We have the expertise to determine which Dallas solar solution is best for your specific needs. We’re happy to help you with optimal solar panel placement, financing options, and so much more. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to answer all of your questions. Call us at (972) 675-7725.