How Much Power Can A Solar Panel Generate?

How many solar panels are needed to power a home?

Installing solar panels on your roof is a smart decision for both saving money on power bills and contributing toward a clean energy future. The amount of savings you’ll see each month is determined by a few factors, one of which is how much power is generated by each solar panel. Below is a brief explanation of generating power or electricity with solar.

Solar Panel Wattage Rating

Solar panels are rated based on the amount of power they can generate, expressed in watts (W). Modern solar panels being installed today have power ratings that range from 250 to 350 watts. What this means is that, under ideal circumstances, an average solar panel will produce 250 watts or more for every hour of direct sunlight it receives.

You can view Alba Energy’s Portfolio of Solar Panel Installs in Texas to get a better idea of the solar panel wattages that are commonly used today for residential projects.

Solar Panel Efficiency

Another key factor that plays a role in answering the above question is solar efficiency, or the amount of sunlight that gets converted into electricity. The good news for you is that both wattage and efficiency ratings of solar panels have increased over time, which is great because it means going solar today will produce more power (and savings) versus years ago.

Image credit: Solar Power Rocks

The earliest solar panels that were used back in the 1950’s converted sunlight at around 6% efficiency. Fast forward to today, and solar efficiency ranges from 15% to 22%.

Example of Solar Panels Wattage and Efficiency

Image credit: EnergySage

Solar panels rated at 15% efficiency are compared in the above example. You can see that with higher wattage panels (300W), just 16 300W panels will produce the same amount of power as 20 250W panels.

Other Factors

There are a few other factors that play a role in determining how much power can be generated by solar panels, like climate, shading, and orientation. You can learn more about the benefits of adding solar panels to your home by reading more Solar Power FAQs below:

Solar Power FAQs: Will The Electricity Meter Run Backwards When I Go Solar?

Solar Power FAQs: Do Solar Panels Work On Cloudy Days?

Solar Power FAQs: Is Going Solar Worth It In Texas?

Solar Power FAQs: What’s The Best Solar Warranty?

Solar Power FAQs: Are Solar Panels Hail Proof?

Solar Power FAQs: Where Do The Batteries Go?

Find out how many solar panels you need to power your house!

Alba Energy is proud to be one of the premier solar installers in Texas, with offices across the state. Alba Energy has completed hundreds of solar panel installations on both homes and businesses, helping our customers save thousands of dollars on electricity costs. Thanks to our SMART Solar Finance Programs, there’s a good chance you can install solar panels and pay less for the system than you currently pay for electricity. Your monthly energy savings pays for the system!

Contact your local office to schedule a FREE solar consultation, and a representative will walk you through the available options in your zipcode and help you understand the plan that makes the best financial sense!

Request A Free Solar Quote!

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