Thinking of a rooftop solar panel installation project in Phoenix, Arizona? Whether this is for your home or business, this is the smartest financial decision you can make. Arizona enjoys sees 299 sunny days per year compared to the national average of 205 days. Phoenix, AZ, boasts over 6.5 hours per square meter per day of solar radiation.
These numbers highlight the immense potential for solar electricity generation in the city and surrounding areas. With so much sunshine, it’s possible to finally go off-grid. Your rooftop solar panels can save you 100% of your electricity bill. However, every property in the city differs and your solar installer will consider multiple factors to assess the amount of electricity your rooftop solar panels can generate.
This post will help you determine how much electricity you can expect your rooftop solar panels to generate. With this information, you can work out the cost-savings and the viability of the project.
What Determines Solar Electricity Generation?
When designing and planning your solar electricity project, your solar installer carries out an evaluation of your property, the location, sunshine, type of roof pitch, size of the roof, your home’s energy needs, and other factors. All these factors are crucial in determining the number of roof panels required or the size of the solar energy system that will suit your home.
The amount of electricity your rooftop solar system generates depends on:
- The system size: If you have a large roof which can accommodate many solar panels, your system generates more electricity
- The location: The specific location of your property in Phoenix determines how much sunshine the solar panels receive to generate electricity
- Solar panel power output rating: Different solar panels on the market have different efficiency ratings. The output capacity of the individual solar panel (watts) varies from model to model. The rating is provided in standard testing conditions when 1 kilowatt per square meter of solar energy shines on the panels and at cell temperature of 77F°/25C°. When shopping for solar panels, you consider how much electricity it can produce in these ideal conditions
Solar Panel Electricity Output in Phoenix, AZ
Before you install your panels, you want to know how much electricity you expect from the array. For a south-facing roof in Phoenix, AZ, 1kw of solar panels generates an average of 1,752kWh per year.
Most of the solar panels on the market have an electricity output rating of between 275 and 400 watts. With more investment in solar energy technology, efficiency ratings have improved and you can find high-efficiency panels at a low price. On average, a 300-watt solar panel produces 1.2 kWh of electricity over a day. This translates to 36.5 kWh of electricity per month.
With these higher efficiency panels, you can generate more electricity on the same rooftop space. If you have limited space on your residential property, shop for high-efficiency panels that help you maximize the roof space.
Solar Panel Output Per Square Foot
How much roof space do you need to generate enough solar electricity for your home? Most photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the market generate 8-15 watts per square foot of solar panel area. However, the higher the efficiency rating, the more electricity the panels generate. The advanced high-efficiency solar panels are smaller but they generate more electricity. This means you don’t have to cover your entire rooftop with PV panels to generate enough electricity for your home.
60-cell vs 72-cell Solar Panels
The 60-cell solar panel is 5.4 feet tall by 3.25 feet wide. It generates between 270 watts to 300 watts though the output still depends on efficiency ratings. The 72-cell solar module is larger and features more cells and you’ll find it at a higher power output between 350 watts to 400 watts. These larger solar panels are mostly used on solar energy farms.
Monocrystalline Vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels
The type of solar panels you buy also determines the output. Monocrystalline contain pure silicon, are high-efficiency panels but costly. Polycrystalline solar panels are also highly-efficient but more affordable.
If you’re planning a solar energy project in Phoenix, AZ, now you have an idea of how to determine the electricity your panels can generate. Talk to your solar installer to determine the viability of the project for your home.
Total Solutions team is dedicated to providing the best possible service for all of your solar needs. Contact us today at +1 (888) 973-4754 to schedule a free consultation with Phoenix Solar experts.