How Many Solar Panels are Needed to Run a Home?
The average home in the United States uses about 10,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, so the number of panels needed to run a home depends on how much sunlight they can capture and convert.
In general, it takes about 80 square feet of solar panels to generate 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt) of electricity.
So, a home that uses 10,400 kWh per year would need about 832 square feet of solar panels.
However, the actual number of panels needed will vary depending on the efficiency of the panels and the amount of sunlight available.
If a home is in an area with a lot of sunlight, fewer panels will be needed to produce the same amount of electricity as a home in an area with less sunlight.
We Guide You Through:
How Much Solar Power Does My Home Need?
The best way to determine how many solar panels are needed to run a home is to contact a solar installation company.
They can assess the amount of sunlight available and calculate the number of panels needed to meet the home’s electricity needs.
We’ll give some rough estimates on how much power you’d need for each of the appliances to give a clearer picture on how much solar power you’d need for your home to keep it powered up fully.
Power Up Home Appliances In a Regular US Home
You’ll need a solar panel that can generate about 25 watts of power to offset an appliance that uses 1 kWh per year.
If you want to offset a refrigerator that uses 867 kWh per year, you’ll need a solar panel that can generate about 21,675 watts of power.
And remember, this is just for one refrigerator. If you have multiple appliances, you’ll need to add up the power requirements for all of them.
Refrigerator:
A typical fridge uses about 0.75 kWh per day or 225 kWh per year.
If you want to power up your fridge using a solar panel, count on using at least 70 watts of solar power.
Clothes Washer and Dryer:
A combined washer and dryer unit uses about 1.45 kWh per load.
If you do two loads of laundry per week, that’s about 153 kWh per year. You’ll need at least 190 watts of solar power to meet this demand.
Dishwasher:
A dishwasher uses about 1 kWh per load.
If you run the dishwasher once a day, that’s about 365 kWh per year. You will need a minimum of 400 watts of solar power to offset this appliance.
Television:
A television uses about 0.2 kWh per hour of use.
If you watch television for 5 hours a day, that’s about 73 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 50 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Computer:
A desktop computer uses about 0.3 kWh per hour of use.
If you use your computer for 5 hours a day, that’s about 109 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Microwave Oven:
A microwave oven uses about 0.1 kWh per minute of use.
If you use the microwave for 3 minutes a day, that’s about 5 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 25 watts of power can do.
Lighting:
Lighting in a typical home uses about 5 kWh per day or 1,825 kWh per year.
If you want to offset your lighting with solar power, you will need at least 900 watts of solar power.
Pool Pump:
A pool pump uses about 0.75 kWh per day or 225 kWh per year.
If you want to offset your pool pump with solar power, you will need at least 70 watts of solar power.
Space Heater:
A space heater uses about 1 kWh per hour of use.
If you use the space heater for 5 hours a day, that’s about 73 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Air Conditioner:
An air conditioner uses about 3 kWh per hour of use.
If you use the air conditioner for 5 hours a day, that’s about 436 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 250 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Water Heater:
A water heater uses about 4 kWh per day or 1,098 kWh per year.
If you want to offset your water heater with solar power, you will need at least 400 watts of solar power.
Clothes Iron:
A clothes iron uses about 0.1 kWh per hour of use.
If you use the iron for 1 hour a day, that’s about 36 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 25 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Coffeemaker:
A coffeemaker uses about 0.1 kWh per cup of coffee.
If you make 3 cups of coffee a day, that’s about 10 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 25 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Toaster:
A toaster uses about 0.1 kWh per use.
If you use the toaster 3 times a day, that’s about 1 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 25 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Hair Dryer:
A hair dryer uses about 1 kWh per use.
If you use the hair dryer 3 times a week, that’s about 12 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Vacuum cleaner:
A vacuum cleaner uses about 1 kWh per use.
If you use the vacuum cleaner once a week, that’s about 4 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Portable Heater:
A portable heater uses about 1 kWh per hour of use.
If you use the portable heater for 5 hours a week, that’s about 20 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Curling Iron:
A curling iron uses about 1 kWh per use.
If you use the curling iron 3 times a week, that’s about 12 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Instant Hot Water Dispenser:
An instant hot water dispenser uses about 1 kWh per use.
If you use the instant hot water dispenser 3 times a week, that’s about 12 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 100 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Gaming Console:
A gaming console uses about 0.1 kWh per hour of use.
If you use the gaming console for 4 hours a day, that’s about 146 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 25 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Freezer:
A chest freezer uses about 1.1 kWh per day or 330 kWh per year.
To power it up with solar panels, you’ll need at least430 watts.
Power Tools:
Using a power tool for 1 hour uses about 0.1 kWh.
If you use a power tool for 1 hour a week, that’s about 5 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 50 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Charging Small Appliances Like Smartphones:
Charging a smartphone uses about 0.01 kWh.
If you charge your phone once a day, that’s about 3.65 kWh per year. A solar panel generating 5 watts of power can offset this appliance.
Each Home Is Different
These are just estimates, of course, and your actual energy use will depend on a number of factors, including the efficiency of your appliances, the climate where you live, and how often you use them.
But this should give you a general idea of which appliances use the most electricity in a typical home.