You’re ready for a highly efficient solar system on your roof. How much solar power will you need? What size solar panel system should you have? Hey, you’ve got better things to do than worry about that.

This is why Sunrun will help handle all the details for you. Not only are we an experienced provider, but we also have proprietary solar design technology called BrightPathTM to help us create a customized system that maximizes energy production better and faster than if we did it by hand.

Every household is going to be different depending on a number of factors. That’s why our solar experts are here to help you sort through all the technical stuff. So, instead of wracking your brain over “How many solar panels do I need?” or “What kind of inverter do I buy?” prepare yourself by asking these questions instead.

How much energy do I need?

Check your electric bills to see how many kilowatts you use on an average day. A typical solar panel system generates 5 kilowatts per day, but your home may need more or less. We’ll discuss this with you in more detail during your free solar consultation to determine just how much power a solar system will need to produce for your home’s energy usage.

We’ll review your home’s energy usage to understand how many kilowatt hours your home consumes. The production ratio of your system—how much electricity your solar panels produce compared to the system’s size—will help us calculate how many panels you may need to meet your household’s energy demand.

The solar panel’s power output will directly influence how many solar panels you need to meet your requirements. Systems with lower-wattage solar panels may require more panels to achieve the same electricity output as those with higher-wattage solar panels.

What’s your climate like?

The number of solar panels you need depends on how much solar radiation reaches the ground where you are. Do you feel clouds are often in your neighborhood forecast? Believe it or not, residential solar panels can work well even if it’s overcast. However, areas that receive more direct sunlight consistently may require fewer solar panels to meet the same energy needs.

Additionally, solar panel efficiency and wattage play an important role. Higher solar panel wattage means each panel can generate more electricity, further reducing the total number of panels required, especially in sunny climates.

How much direct sun hits your roof?

In general, you’ll need 100 square feet of south-facing roof space for every kilowatt of power. It’s not just about the size of your roof but also the peak sunlight hours your specific location receives. The number of solar panels needed depends on how much sunlight your home receives as more solar panels may be needed to generate the same amount of electricity.

Clouds? No problem, the sun can handle it. Actually, it’s shadows from chimneys, trees, or taller buildings that are a bigger obstacle to the sun’s rays. But not to worry; we can assess your home’s sun exposure and find the ideal layout when installing solar panels.

Points for the professional solar installer

Even if you don’t have the exact answers to all these questions, it doesn’t hurt to give them some thought. You’ll be all the more prepared and know the right questions to ask during your free solar consultation (and thoroughly impress our solar experts). Consider them as a starting point towards solar success. And don’t worry—we’ll tell you how many solar panels you need, too.