Solar panel size and weight: How big are solar panels?

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.

For residential solar panels, the standard dimensions are 66x40 inches for the panel, about 1.25x1.6 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.

What is the area of a solar panel?

While residential solar panels tend to be around 5.5 feet long and a little over 3 feet wide for an area of around 15 feet, 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.

Types of solar panels

Solar panels can also be composed of different materials–either monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin film. The main difference between the technologies is the type of silicon solar cell they use: monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon, while polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from many silicon fragments melted together. While their composition doesn't inherently affect their size or weight, monocrystalline cells are more efficient overall, so you'll need fewer for the same output.

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.

For example, the most popular solar panel on the EnergySage Marketplace, the Panasonic EverVolt WBS EVPV370 WBS, which is made from monocrystalline cells, is 1721.0 mm (5.6 ft) long and 1016.0 mm (3.3 ft) wide for an area of 18.5 ft2 and weighs roughly 45 lbs.

Solar panel size and weight, residential and commercial panels

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 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 your roof's unique shape and orientation.

Importantly, how 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.

Understanding how much solar panels weigh is another essential factor to remember if you're planning to install a rooftop solar system. Knowing a solar panel's weight is the best way to ensure 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.

The lightest of the top brands we compared 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 for our full breakdown of the best solar panels, including panel efficiency and cost per watt.

Solar panel weight by manufacturer

Armed with the knowledge of solar panel size and weight, we can calculate 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.

In a 6-kilowatt solar installation 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 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 you're 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 your roof can withstand the additional weight.

What is a standard solar panel size?

A residential solar panel is typically around 5.5 feet long and just over 3 feet wide. On the other hand, commercial solar panels are typically 78 by 39 inches.

How big is a 300W solar panel?

Many residential solar panels, around 5.5 feet long and 3 feet wide, are rated for 300W per panel. The power produced by a panel varies depending on a few factors, such as geographical location and the tilt of the panels.

What is the best size of solar panels?

This depends mainly 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.

How big is a 500W solar panel?

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. 

Are there multiple sizes of solar panels?

Solar panels vary in size, primarily 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.

What can a 400W solar panel run?

Appliances like air conditioner window units can run off 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. 

What can a 100W solar panel run?

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 intended to run larger appliances but might be a good option for on-the-go power.

Solar installers are used to customizing their system designs to meet the specific needs of each property. However, if you are considering installing solar panels on your roof, finding an installer that fits your home may take a little shopping around. You can easily use the EnergySage Solar Marketplace to solicit and compare multiple offers from installers near you. If you have questions or concerns about your roof, add a note to your profile when registering.