How Much Roof Space Do I Need To Install Solar Panels
The amount of roof space needed for solar panels will depend on a few key factors:
- How much electricity do you want to generate?
- What type of panels are you using?
- How much sunlight does your roof get?
How much electricity do you want to generate
The average solar panel is 3’X5’ (15 square feet). The average panel generates XX amount of Kilowatt Hours (KwH) and the average residential electricity bill in the United States is $XX. Based on these numbers the typical solar panel array will require XX panels, which is equivalent to XX square feet.
What type of panels are you using?
Monocrystalline panels are more energy efficient than Polycrystalline panels, so they are typically more expensive on a per watt basis, but can generate more power in a smaller area than polycrystalline panels.
How Much Sunlight Does Your Roof Get
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Since the United States is in the northern hemisphere, the angle of the sun moves from east to west across the southern plane of structure. This means that roof facing south will get the best sunlight and roofs facing north the worst.