How many kW solar panels do I Need?

As we calculated earlier, the California household needs a 7.2 kW system to cover its electricity needs. A comparable household in Massachusetts needs a 9.9 kW system. So, in less sunny areas like Massachusetts, you might consider choosing highly efficient solar panels to maximize your energy output per square foot.

How many kWh does a solar panel use a day?

Next, divide your monthly kWh usage by 30 to estimate your average daily kWh usage. The average American home uses about 900 kWh per month, so we’ll use that in our example: 900 kWh / 30 days = 30 kWh per day Sunlight availability affects how much energy your solar panels generate.

How many solar panels do you need to power a house?

The goal for any solar project should be 100% electricity offset and maximum savings — not necessarily to cram as many panels on a roof as possible. So, the number of panels you need to power a house varies based on three main factors: In this article, we’ll show you how to manually calculate how many panels you’ll need to power your home.

Is a 10 kW Solar System enough to power a house?

Yes, in many cases a 10 kW solar system is more than enough to power a house. The average US household uses around 30 kWh of electricity per day, which can be offset by a 5 to 8.5 kW solar system (depending on sun exposure). See how much solar panels cost in your area. Zero Upfront Cost.

What wattage do solar panels use?

If left blank, we’ll use a default value of 300 watts, which is a common wattage for residential solar panels. These results are best thought of as quick-and-dirty estimates. They don’t take into account shading or roof size, for instance. I’d recommend This calculator does not take into account shading.

How do I choose a solar panel wattage?

1. Decide what solar panel wattage you want in your system. You could base this off of the available options from your brand of choice. Or you could consider your roof’s dimensions and look at panels that would fit the area. Or you could just assume a common solar panel wattage, such as 300 watts. 2. Convert your solar system’s size to watts.