We’ll explain solar panel size, weight, and whether your roof can support a solar panel system in this article.
Rooftop solar panel installations are becoming more prevalent across the United States., but unless you climb up onto a roof, it can be difficult to figure out how big solar panels are and how much they weigh. On average, the size of a solar panel is about 65 inches by 39 inches.
Solar panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and a number of elements, such as the total amount of power needed, the kind of solar cell used, and the type of solar panel, can affect these characteristics. Before making larger plans for installing a solar system, take into account the size and weight of the solar panels.
We’ll lay the groundwork and provide you with all the information on what influences solar panel size and weight in this article.
Read More: 8 Benefits of Solar Energy: Things to Know
How Big Are Standard Solar Panels?
Standard residential solar panels, the ones you would have installed onto your home’s roof, measure on average 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, covering an area of 15 square feet.
Depending on the manufacturer of the solar panel, there are a few minor measurement variations. Commercial solar panels, which are typically used in large-scale solar installations like those that are attached to warehouses, can have a height of up to 6 feet.
You must first comprehend the general structure of the solar panel in order to comprehend its size.
Smaller individual photovoltaic (PV) solar cells are used to make solar panels. The size of PV cells is always the same: 156 mm by 156 mm, or roughly 6 inches long and 6 inches wide.
Most small-scale solar installations, like the one that will likely be installed on your house, are composed of 60 solar cells. On the other hand, commercial solar installations typically have 98 cells or more and typically have 72 cells or less.
| Feature | Residential | Commercial |
| Average Length (inches) | 65 | 78 |
| # of Solar Cells | 60 | 72 |
| Average Width (inches) | 39 | 39 |
| Average Depth (inches) | 1.5 – 2 | 1.5 – 2 |
A solar panel’s length is essentially determined by the number of cells present in it. Most installations, whether residential or commercial, don’t consist of a single solar panel.
What kind of measurements are we, therefore, looking at with a fully developed solar installation, let’s say a 10 kW solar system?
Assume you use 34 solar panels of average size, each rated at 300 watts, and stack them vertically next to one another to form two rows of 17 panels each.
Your 10 kW solar array will have dimensions of 55,25 feet by 10.8 feet and a surface area of 596 square feet.
These overall dimensions naturally presuppose that you will place each of the aforementioned panels closely next to one another, with the least amount of space possible between them.
In actuality, however, you will need to account for a little bit more space as you must take into account your roof’s particular shape and orientation.
How Much Do Solar Panels Weigh?
If you’re planning to install a rooftop solar system, knowing how much solar panels weigh is another crucial consideration. The best way to ensure that your roof can support a complete installation is to know the weight of a solar panel.
Despite some variation between brands, the majority of panels weigh in at around 40 pounds.
With some panels weighing as little as 33 pounds, SunPower was the lightest of the top brands we compared. Canadian Solar, whose panels can weigh up to 50 pounds, was the heaviest.
What is the Average Area of a Single Solar Panel?
A residential 60-cell solar panel has a surface area of 17.62 square feet, while a commercial 72-cell solar panel has a surface area of 21.13 square feet.
The area of your roof will be measured by solar panel installation companies to determine how many panels can be installed safely.
What Factors Determine Solar Panel Size?
When it comes to the factors that determine solar panel size, you need to consider the following criteria:
Panel Material
The size and shape of the solar panel are influenced by the material from which it is made. Thin-film, monocrystalline, and polycrystalline solar panels are made of different materials. For instance, monocrystalline is both the priciest and the best choice. In comparison to thin-film material, it is smaller and lighter. In general, the smaller and lighter the solar panel, the more space it takes up.
Panel Brand
According to the manufacturing process, each brand of solar panel has a slight variation in size and weight. Although the weight of various solar panel brands varies, a typical 60-cell solar panel weighs about 40 pounds.
Wattage/Voltage
Wattage and the required voltage/current are additional crucial factors. A solar system is a collection of linked solar panels that generates the system’s overall power in watts. A solar panel’s surface area will increase with the amount of power it generates. When more voltage is required, solar panels can be connected in a series or parallel configuration.
Electricity Output Needed
Last but not least, according to Martin Desmond, a renewable energy expert with Wizer Energy, the size of your solar panel system must correspond to the desired electrical output needed. He says that you’ll need to “measure your overall electricity usage from your bill and make a note of the total kilowatt-hours spent.”
With changing weather patterns, the use of various appliances, and variations in consumption and usage, it is crucial to take these factors into consideration. It is best to produce more power than you need and store it or sell it back to the local grid than to underestimate your needs.
How Many Areas on Your Roof Are Required for Installing a Solar Panel?
After weighing all of your options, the installation will be influenced by the space on your roof that is available and the state of your roof. A solar panel installer can measure the area of your roof that is suitable for solar panel installation.
This cannot be estimated by looking at the size of the roof alone. The best angles for sunlight will be taken into account by an installation company. Read More: How Much Solar Do I Need to Power My Home?
Can Your Roof Support a Solar Panel System?
With the knowledge of solar panel size and weight, we can determine the weight of an entire solar panel system, which can help you determine whether or not your roof can support a new solar panel system.
Twenty solar panels, each weighing 40 pounds, make up a 6-kilowatt solar installation, and together, the panels weigh about 800 pounds. By dividing 800 pounds by 352 square feet, we can determine that the same system weighs 2.3 pounds per square foot and has a measurement of 352 square feet.
The weight per square foot will be closer to 3–4 pounds when the mounting hardware and other panel-related equipment are added in.
Most newer homes have roofs that can support much more weight per square foot than 3 pounds. Talk to a roofing company, though, if you have an older roof or have any doubts about whether solar panels will add extra weight to your roof. You can decide whether adding solar panels to your roof will benefit your home by performing a quick roof inspection.
Conclusion: Install Solar Panels on Your Roof
We hope that after reading this article you have a much better understanding of the typical size and weight of solar panels.
Standard solar panel dimensions for residential installations are 66 x 40 inches for the panel and 1.25 x 1.6 inches for the frame. Each panel typically weighs 42 pounds. Commercial panels typically have longer dimensions, measuring about 6.5 feet, and weigh 50 pounds or more on average.
Solar installers are accustomed to tailoring their system designs to fit the unique requirements of every single property. However, if you’re thinking about mounting solar panels on your roof, it might take some research to find an installer who’s a good fit for your house.
FAQs
How Big is a 400w Solar Panel?
The average size of a 400-watt solar panel is 39″ by 79″ (or ~21.4 square feet) at around 1.4″ thick.
How Big is a 300W Solar Panel?
The average size for a 300W solar panel is around 36 inches by 65 inches. Panels designed with DIY solar power systems in mind typically have aluminum frames and are kept lightweight for portability.
