Enterprise roof photovoltaic panel size

How big should a rooftop solar system be?

A common configuration for an array of this size might be 10 rows of 25 panels each. Using the average solar panel size of 6 feet by 3.25 feet, and assuming you leave minimal space between the panels, your rooftop solar system would measure roughly 4,875 square feet. Now, let’s consider the weight of that system.

How long do solar panels last on a roof?

PV arrays, which are the solar panels, have an average useful economic life of more than 25 years. Whether it’s a new roof that has PV arrays or will have PV arrays installed in the near future (i.e., a solar ready roof), or it’s an existing roof that will receive solar, there are many important considerations for roof system design and panel layout.

How many solar panels can fit on a roof?

On average, solar panels measure about 17.5 square feet. To calculate how many panels can fit on your roof, divide your open roof space by 17.5 square feet (or however large your particular solar panels are). For example, if you have 500 square feet of open, available roof space, that's enough space for about 28 solar panels.

How much solar power does a roof generate?

In a perfect world, the average roof in the U.S. can generate around 35,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity annually—far more than the average home’s annual electricity usage of 10,600 kWh. Realistically, your roof’s solar generation potential will be less than that.

Do commercial buildings need a photovoltaic system?

If commercial buildings in the U.S. with roofs over 5,000 square-feet were to install photovoltaic (PV), or solar, arrays, they could potentially provide enough energy to power nearly 60 percent of the total commercial electricity demand. Therefore, having a PV system is not a necessity but could significantly contribute to powering commercial buildings.

Should solar panels be installed on a south-facing roof?

Ideally, your solar panels will be installed on a south-facing roof at an angle of about 30°. These are the optimal conditions for solar panel production. The closer you get to this, the more electricity your panels produce. Solar panels with a larger power-to-size ratio will produce more electricity per square foot.