Solar panel systems are an increasingly common sight on rooftops all across the U.S., but unless you climb up onto a roof, it can be difficult to figure out how big solar panels are and how much they weigh. In this article, we’ll help you understand solar panel size, solar panel weight, and whether your roof can support a solar panel system that produces enough wattage to meet the daily energy needs of your household.
Key takeaways about the size of solar panels
- Solar panels are roughly 5 feet long and 3 feet wide, with some small variation by manufacturer
- Solar panels usually weigh about 40 pounds each
- Professional solar installers on the EnergySage Marketplace are experts at designing and installing a system for your unique property
How big is a solar panel?
For residential solar panels, the standard dimensions are 66×40 inches for the panel, about 1.25×1.6 inches for the frame, and each panel usually weighs about 42 pounds. While this may vary from brand to brand, it’s typically the same for all residential solar panels. The smaller size makes them ideal for rooftop residential installations. Read our article to learn more about how many solar panels you’ll need to power your home.
While residential solar panels tend to be around 5.5 feet long and a little over 3 feet wide, the dimensions of commercial panels are typically larger at around 6.5 feet long, and they usually weigh 50 pounds or more. Like residential solar panels, size can vary depending on the manufacturer and how the solar panel is made. Commercial solar systems tend to produce more power than residential systems.
Regardless of its application, residential and commercial solar panels are made the same way. Each solar panel is made up of individual solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV solar cells come in a standard size of 156 mm by 156 mm, which is approximately 6 inches long and 6 inches wide. Most solar panels for rooftop solar installations are made up of 60 solar cells, while the standard for commercial solar installations is 72 cells (and can go up to 98 cells or more). Learn more about solar cells in this article.
Solar panel size and weight, residential and commercial panels
| Feature | Residential panels | Commercial panels |
|---|---|---|
| # of Solar Cells | 60 | 72 |
| Average Length (inches) | 65 | 78 |
| Average Width (inches) | 39 | 39 |
| Average Depth (inches) | 1.5 - 2 | 1.5 - 2 |
The number of solar cells on one panel is directly related to its length. 72-cell commercial solar panels are approximately 13 inches longer than 60-cell residential panels.
If an average solar panel measures at 65 inches by 39 inches, how does that translate to a full-sized rooftop solar panel system?
Take a system size of 6 kilowatts (kW). If you install a 6 kW system with 20 average-sized panels, your system will likely measure approximately 27 feet wide by 13 feet long – 352 square feet in all. This assumes that your panels can be placed close together and that there are no obstructions on your roof–in reality, you’ll usually need a little more space than that to accommodate for the unique shape and orientation of your roof.
Importantly, the way your solar panel system is designed impacts the price you’ll pay for solar – a simpler, more compact setup will almost always cost less than a more complex installation.
How much do solar panels weigh?
Understanding how much solar panels weigh is another important factor to keep in mind if you’re planning on installing a rooftop solar system. Knowing a solar panel’s weight is the best way to be certain that your roof can support a full installation.
EnergySage reviewed product specifications for the top 10 solar panel brands most frequently offered to homeowners in the EnergySage Solar Marketplace and compared the weight of their standard 60-cell residential solar panels. While there is some variation from brand to brand, most panels weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 pounds.
Of the top brands that we compared, the lightest was SunPower, with some panels weighing as little as 33 pounds. The heaviest was Canadian Solar, which has panels that weigh as much as 50 pounds. Click here to see our full breakdown of the best solar panels, including panel efficiency and cost per watt.
Solar panel weight by manufacturer
| Solar panel manufacturer | Solar panel weight (60-cell residential panels) |
|---|---|
| SolarWorld | 40 - 47 lbs |
| LG | 38 lbs |
| Canadian Solar | 40 - 51 lbs |
| Hyundai | 38 - 41 lbs |
| Hanwha SolarOne | 40 - 42 lbs |
| Hanwha Q CELLS | 41 lbs |
| Trina | 41 - 50 lbs |
| SunPower | 33 - 41 lbs |
| Axitec | 39 - 41 lbs |
| Kyocera | 42 - 44 lbs |
Can your roof support a solar panel system?
Armed with the knowledge of solar panel size and solar panel weight, we can make a calculation about how much a whole solar panel system weighs – which in turn can help you understand whether your roof can support a new solar panel system or not.
In a 6 kilowatt solar installation made up of 20 solar panels, the panels alone will weigh approximately 800 pounds (20 panels x 40 lbs). Based on our calculation above, we know that this same system measures at 352 square feet, which works out to a weight of 2.3 pounds per square foot (800 pounds ÷ 352 sq ft). When you include the mounting hardware and other equipment for your panels, the total weight will be closer to 3-4 pounds per square foot.
The roofs on most newer homes can handle significantly more than 3 pounds per square foot of weight. However, if you have an older roof or are in any way concerned about whether your roof can support the additional weight of solar panels, talk to a roofing company. A straightforward roof inspection can help you determine whether the additional weight of solar panels are a viable option for your home.
Frequently asked questions about solar panel size
A residential solar panel is typically around 5.5 feet long and just over 3 feet wide. Commercial solar panels, on the other hand, are typically 78 by 39 inches.
Many residential solar panels, which are around 5.5 feet long and 3 feet wide, are rated for 300W per panel. The actual power produced by a panel varies depending on a few factors, such as geographical location and the tilt of the panels.
This depends largely on the space you have available. Large panels are more suitable for commercial installations, houses with large roofs, or any other area with a lot of open space. On the other hand, small solar panels are best if you have a small or otherwise complicated rooftop.
In the past, the rule of thumb with solar panels was that a bigger size equaled higher wattage. Recently, however, many manufacturers have increased their efficiency, meaning there isn’t a hard and fast rule regarding size. Read our article about 500W solar panels to learn more.
Solar panels vary in size, largely based on project type – i.e., commercial or residential. However, solar panels are typically built with either 60 or 72 cells, the two most common configurations. There are smaller sizes though, such as 100W solar panels for RVs, that are designed to fit in a smaller area or be used on the go.
Appliances such as air conditioner window units can be run off of a 400W solar panel. What a solar panel of this size can run depends on the specific energy requirements of the appliance you’re trying to power.
100W solar panels aren’t designed to run a household, but they are ideal for smaller setups like appliances in an RV, for example. A single 100W solar panel isn’t designed to run larger appliances, but might be a good option for on-the-go power.
Find the solar option that’s best for your home by comparing multiple quotes
Solar installers are used to customizing their system designs to meet the specific needs of each individual property. However, if you are considering installing solar panels on your roof, finding an installer that’s the right fit for your home may take a little shopping around. You can use the EnergySage Solar Marketplace to easily solicit and compare multiple offers from installers near you. If you have any questions or concerns about your roof, simply add a note in your profile when you register.
