Solar panel ratings can be a critical consideration for solar shoppers because they provide information on how much electricity the system will generate. However, many potential customers also find solar panel wattage, ratings, and power output information confusing.
If a PV customer is comparing bids between two solar installation companies, one might have higher energy estimates for an almost identical array because they used different assumptions for shading or weather conditions. Being able to explain key terms and concepts to potential customers, such as solar panel power output, wattage, and module efficiency ratings, is critical for helping them make informed decisions.
Let’s explore some of the key concepts you need to clarify with your potential customers.
What Are Solar Panel Ratings?
A solar panel rating measures the peak output of a solar panel in watts, typically under ideal conditions known as peak sun hours. Solar panel wattage ratings usually indicate the maximum energy produced when exposed to direct sunlight at 1000W/square meters. However, factors such as temperature, shade, dust, dirt, weather, orientation, and tilt angle can affect the power output of photovoltaic panels, so solar panel ratings are usually assigned following standard test conditions to achieve consistent results.
This module wattage information is used to calculate the capacity of the solar energy system by multiplying the solar panel wattage by the number of solar panels in the system. In addition to watt peak, other solar panel ratings include a temperature coefficient, which considers the effect of temperature on the panel's power output, and conversion efficiency, which measures the amount of sunlight converted into electrical energy.
In addition, there are ratings for other types of equipment, including solar inverters and batteries. For example, the efficiency rating of inverters is commonly more than 90%, but never 100%.
Factors That Go Into Solar Panel Ratings
Numerous factors associated with solar PV panel wattage ratings can help customers compare solar panels.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of total energy converted into electrical energy and is usually expressed as a percentage. Residential and commercial solar panels have an average efficiency rating of 15 to almost 23%, but researchers have developed more efficient PV panels in laboratories. The most efficient solar panels are commonly a dark, non-reflective color, and usually black solar cells (monocrystalline) are more efficient than blue solar cells (polycrystalline).
Solar panel efficiency ratings can vary between manufacturers and models, and SunPower Maxeon produces some of the most efficient solar panels currently on the market. However, high-efficiency solar panels are often more expensive per watt, so they are not ideal for all solar customers. Solar panel efficiency is most important when unshaded roof space is limited, and less critical when no space limitations exist.
Keep in mind that models with a high output aren’t necessarily more efficient because the size of solar panels varies. For example, a 450-watt solar panel may be less efficient than a smaller 400-watt panel if it is bigger.
Type Of Solar Module
Monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single crystal or cylindrical ingot of silicon. They usually have a higher panel efficiency rating and are some of the most popular residential solar panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels are made from raw silicon that has been melted and then cooled to form square-shaped crystals. These typically have slightly lower solar panel efficiency ratings, but are less expensive to produce than monocrystalline panels due to the manufacturing process.
Thin-film solar, also called amorphous silicon solar cells, are made from thin layers of silicon deposited on a substrate, such as glass or metal. These solar panels are commonly less efficient, but they are the least expensive to produce of all panel types and can be easily integrated into existing structures. Thin-film solar has great potential for many applications as researchers improve efficiency and solar panel power output.
Solar Panel Wattage
Solar panel wattage is the total amount of power the solar panel can produce in a given amount of time. It is usually measured in watts and calculated by multiplying the solar panel’s voltage, amperage, and the number of cells. The typical solar panel power rating varies between 40 and 480 watts.
Lower-watt solar panels are commonly smaller and more portable. Although higher-wattage solar panels exist, such as Trina Solar’s 600+ watt module, they are often too large for widespread use.
Solar Panel Output
Like solar panel wattage ratings, solar module output assumes ideal conditions for generating solar electricity, and a solar system's total power generation depends on the solar panels' wattage. However, actual power production will vary depending on the weather and sun conditions, such as shading. Modules produce less energy when temperatures exceed 25° C (77° F). Accurately estimating actual solar power output is critical for generating electricity bill cost savings estimates.
Solar panel power output is highest in direct sunlight, so clouds, dust, or smog can reduce power output. On cloudy days, solar panels may produce less than 50 percent of the possible electricity.
Solar Panel Orientation & Environmental Factors
Although solar energy system ratings usually assume ideal conditions, real-world conditions vary. Anything that decreases the intensity of the sun hitting the solar PV module can decrease output. For example, if solar panels are oriented facing east instead of on a south-facing roof, they will have more energy production in the morning, but a lower total daily output, when all other factors are equal.
Likewise, dirty solar panels, smog, and even wildfire smoke can all reduce solar electricity generation. Therefore, some solar homeowners may need to clean their panels periodically to prevent dirt, pollen, bird droppings, debris, etc., from accumulating on the face of the solar module.
Solar Panel Degradation
Due to degradation, solar panel efficiency decreases by a fraction of a percent over time, but not all panels degrade at the same rate. The panel manufacturer's power performance guarantee offers some indication of what someone can expect from a module over time by looking at the guaranteed output at the end of the warranty period.
Solar panel degradation can be particularly concerning if home energy use increases over time, perhaps from installing an electric vehicle charging station or switching to an electric heating system. Even if the solar system was sized to produce 100% of the home’s electricity, solar panel degradation can prohibit this as the system ages and production decreases somewhat.
How Much Energy Does a Solar Panel Produce?
Most home solar panels installed in 2023 have a solar panel rating between 350 and 470 watts of power. However, the actual solar panel output depends on factors such as shading, orientation, and hours of sun exposure. A 400-watt panel in a sunny climate can produce about 600 kWh of electricity per year, or approximately 1.6 kWh daily. Systems in a less sunny climate would have lower solar panel output.
How Many Solar Panels Does The Average American Household Need?
The average U.S. home uses 886 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, and most households need between 17 and 21 solar panels to meet their electricity needs, according to EnergySage.
The number of solar panels needed for the average American household depends on numerous factors, including home electricity use, roof shading, and the local climate.
Home energy usage
If the home consumes more power than the average, they may need more solar panels. Viewing a year or more of electricity bills is a good way to determine total household consumption.
Available roof space
The average residential solar panel dimensions are around 65 by 40 inches, but this does vary by the model. Commercial solar panels tend to be larger and have more solar cells. Solar projects are often limited by available roof space.
Shading on solar panels
Shading decreases solar electricity production, so you may need to install more solar panels to compensate. Trees, buildings, and roof structures are common sources of shading.
Local climate
The sunnier the climate, the more clean energy the PV modules will produce. Therefore, rainier and cloudy climates have lower solar energy production.
Solar project budget
If your client has a limited budget, they may not be able to afford sufficient panels at the outset. But, installers could set the system up for easy expansion in the future if the budget changes. Likewise, a solar loan might be an option.
Solar panel wattage
If you use lower-wattage panels, you will need to install more solar panels. However, due to innovation, the wattage of most PV modules has increased significantly in recent years.
How Many Watts Does The Average Solar Panel Produce?
The solar panel output rating of the average residential panel is between 250 and 485 watts, but commercial modules can have a higher solar panel rating. For example, Trina Solar's ts n-type i-TOPCon solar module for applications in large-scale PV projects can have an output of up to 740 watts. However, solar panels can only generate this much electricity under ideal conditions and during peak sun hours. Thus, soiled, old, or shaded panels will produce less solar power. Commercial panels are often larger than residential modules and have a higher solar panel rating.
How Are Solar Panels Rated?
Solar panels are rated by how much electricity they produce (power output in Watts), how well they convert sunlight into energy (efficiency in percentage), and their durability. The power rating tells you their electricity output, which is known as the solar panel wattage. The efficiency measures how effective they are in converting sunlight to solar power, and durability ensures a long lifespan. These ratings help people choose solar panels that suit their renewable energy needs.
Does the Size of a Solar Panel Determine Its Wattage?
In many cases, larger solar panels have higher wattages. This is because a larger surface area allows for more photovoltaic cells, which can generate more electricity when exposed to sunlight. However, it's not a strict rule, as the efficiency of the solar cells also plays a crucial role.
How Are Solar Panels Rated in Watts Per Hour?
Solar panels are rated by their power output, measured in Watts. This rating indicates how much electricity a panel can generate per hour. A higher solar panel wattage rating means more power production. This information is crucial for understanding a solar panel's capacity and selecting equipment that meets their specific energy needs.
How Many Solar Cells Are In a Solar Panel?
The amount of solar PV cells in modules commonly varies between 60 and 72. Residential solar panels often have 60 or 66 solar cells, whereas commercial and utility-scale solar projects often use solar panels with 72 solar cells.
Explaining Solar Panel Wattage Ratings To Clients
An important aspect of providing excellent customer service to potential solar homeowners is providing them with relevant information to make an informed purchasing decision. Being knowledgeable about the solar rating standards and how they relate to real-world solar panel output helps ensure that customers can confidently decide to go solar. As a solar energy professional, it’s useful to understand solar panel ratings, to show you are knowledgeable about renewable energy.
Another critical aspect of customer service is providing services in a timely manner, and GreenLancer can help. The GreenLancer platform was developed to provide solar permitting services and engineering stamps to streamline the solar design and installation process.
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