How many solar panels do I need?

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How many solar panels do I need?

“How many solar panels do I need?” This is a common question people ask themselves when they are considering whether to purchase or rent solar panels. We recommend choosing the minimum number of solar panels based on your annual power demand. This means that once the panels are installed, you will be largely independent of the electricity grid. Of course, if your budget allows, you can also install more solar panels. You can either store the excess power generated in a home battery or inject it back into the grid. We will be happy to tell you how many solar panels you need in order to match your power consumption.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Choosing the number of solar panels

How many solar panels you need depends on two factors: the yield per solar panel and your annual energy consumption. Once you’re familiar with both, you’ll know what it takes to be energy neutral. This means that you generate more net electricity through solar panels than you draw from the grid. Note that your current energy consumption is only a snapshot. Keep in mind that demand for electricity may increase. For example if you start driving an electric vehicle or have a heat pump installed.

Returns

Calculating the yield of solar panels

The output of a solar panel is expressed in Watt peaks (Wp). If you would like to calculate the annual yield in kWh from solar panels, we use the Watt peak as a starting point. An example with nine solar panels:

The JinkoSolar solar panels used by Soly have a peak capacity of 405 Wp. At an average performance of 85%, a system of nine solar panels produces over 3,000 kWh per year. Because of cloud cover or low sun, performance is practically never 100%. In fact, 1 Wp of power per solar panel is equivalent to 0.88 kWh of electricity. System capacity calculation:

Number of solar panels × peak power per solar panel

PROGNOSIS

Installation plan solar panels

Thanks to the Solar Configurator, we can remotely map out the solar panel laying plan. In doing so, we take into account all conceivable factors such as your power consumption, the area and features (orientation and inclination) of your roof, and the size of a solar panel. Because of the unexpected and inexplicable changes in the energy market, the price of energy is currently quite high. In practice, the payback period is often earlier than we predict in the Solar Configurator. Good to know!

Solar panel roof scan

Calculate how much solar panels will yield you!

Free and without obligation
Not sure whether your roof is suitable for solar panels? And if so, how many solar panels could you have installed? Good news! Thanks to our on-line solar panel roof scan, we can remotely give a good indication of the possibilities for your home. In three short steps, you run through the Solar Configurator and our on-line roof scan and immediately receive an overview: number of solar panels, type of inverter, price, yield, and payback period.

In short: the quickest way to solar panels on your roof. We would be happy to advise you on the possibilities. All done remotely – but with the personal touch you deserve.

HOME BATTERY

Storing the surplus of energy on a home battery

Do you end up generating more power from solar panels than you need? Then you can do one of two things: inject power back into the grid or store it in a home battery. The battery market is far from saturated. This means that there will be growing supply on the market; this is likely to reduce the price. If a home battery is not yet financially viable, you can always reconsider later.

Sustainability

Preparing for the future

Solar energy is a thing of the future. Ever more households and businesses are switching to self-generated electricity – mainly for financial reasons but also to reduce their dependence on power from the grid. A logical decision and, as far as we are concerned, the choice of the future. Solar panels have perhaps the shortest payback period of all sustainable investments. So now is the time to start reaping all the benefits of solar panels.

Background

Knowledge Base

While you are still here: have a look at our knowledge base. It's full of information concerning the benefits and possibilities of solar energy. And we do our bit. Here are some of the most interesting topics we already covered.

Visit knowledge base

Do you need to clean solar panels?

Over the years, the panels are exposed to numerous conditions such as rain, wind, snow, sand, and moss. Do you need to clean your solar panels every once in a while?

How much CO₂ emissions can be saved with solar panels?

The more solar panels we install in the United Kingdom, the less grey electricity we need to use. How is this for CO2 emissions?

Difference between serial and parallel connection of solar modules

“My roof is partly in the shade, but I would like solar panels. Is that possible?” This is a question we often hear during telephone consultations. We'll tell you more about it.

Visit knowledge base

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