How Much Electricity Can A Single Solar Panel Produce?
You’ve probably wondered how much one solar panel can produce if you’re considering establishing solar panel system or are just interested in what solar can achieve. Are they providing enough electricity to pay their entire electric bill, or just a few light bulbs, whether they’re rows and rows of panels on a large warehouse or just a few put on your neighbor’s roof?
While the amount of work a panel produces is dependent on a few things (which we’ll discuss later), even giving a broad answer is dependent on the panel you choose. Each solar panel is evaluated by the manufacturer to see the efficiency of how much electricity it will generate, or when the sun is shining the brightest (also known as Standard Test Condition or STC). This is the wattage or power rating of the solar panel.
The majority of commercial and domestic solar panels have wattages ranging from the high 200s to the low 400s. Solar panels that are more efficient produce more power, but they also cost more. Your solar installer will assist you in determining which panel wattage is optimum for your project’s payback.
In general, a solar panel, more often one of a 3kw or 4kw array, will be able to supply enough electricity to power a home with a family of four or five people. On the other hand, a 2kw or 3kw array will be able to power a smaller home. On average, a 4kW system will generate 3,400kwh of electricity each year. Of all, each solar panel array is unique, making it difficult to predict how much electricity yours will produce. So, here are some fundamental facts about the typical residential solar panel installation.
What Factors Affect the Amount of Electricity Generated?
There are four major aspects that will influence how much electricity your solar panels can generate for your home. The following are some of them:
The Area
The size of the system determines how much electricity it produces hence this is the most essential aspect of the four. A common installation is a 3.5kw system, which typically consists of 12 panels. The 1kw domestic system, on the other hand, is likely to consist of only two panels.
The Angle
The second most crucial component is direction. The angle of your roof and the direction it faces are more essential than you might believe. Your panels should be pointing south at a 35-degree angle for maximum performance and efficiency.
Solar Trajectory
During the day, the section of your roof where the solar panels are mounted should not be in the shade. Allowing the panels to be exposed to sunlight throughout the day will enhance the amount of electricity you can generate.
Weather
Efficiency and energy production can also be affected by the time of year. Because there are more hours of daylight throughout the summer, you will be able to generate a lot more power. However, it’s vital to remember that solar panels capture light rather than heat, so they’ll provide electricity all year.
How to Calculate the Amount of Electricity Produced
When you have your solar panels installed, you will be given a meter to place in an easily accessible area of your home. This meter keeps track of the amount of electricity generated by the solar system as well as the amount of electricity exported back to the National Grid. This allows you to calculate how much the Feed-in Tariff will pay you.
Top solar panel manufacturers are also beginning to develop web apps for your smartphone that allow you to monitor your solar panel’s performance levels. This can be done either through the app or through your computer’s internet browser.
Additionally, you should make every effort to make your home as energy efficient as possible. This enables you to make the most of your available energy. If at all possible, use energy-efficient light bulbs and avoid leaving electrical gadgets on standby, as these are all contributing contributors to excessive energy usage. Also, try to use the washing machine only when there is a full load.
Of course, it’s easy to lose sight of our solar panels. They don’t take much upkeep (just a quick wash every now and again), and power your home automatically. However, make sure you inspect them at least once a month to ensure that they are performing to their full potential in terms of providing you with energy.
Conclusion
To get the most out of your solar panels and the electricity they generate, make sure you use your appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum, etc.) as often as possible during the day. This is due to the fact that the panels will generate energy during the day. To summarise, one 330 Wp solar panel produces 1.33 kWh of electricity every day, 40 kWh of electricity per month, and 480 kWh of electricity per year.
Read Also: All That You Want to Know About On-Grid Solar System