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How Much Do Solar Panels Weigh?
Different brands make solar panels of varying sizes and weights. But there is something more important than the weight of a solar panel, which is the total weight of the installation and its effect on the roof.
Residential Solar Panels Weight
Solar panels require sunlight to generate energy, so they are placed outdoors. They must be prepared to withstand all weather conditions and be strong. The exact weight differs since there can be different models of solar panels and manufacturers making them. Solar panels can be monocrystalline, thin-film, or polycrystalline.
Talking about average weights, a residential solar panel weighs about forty pounds. The dimensions consist of a width of 3.25 feet and a length of 5.4 feet. If you calculate the weight per square foot, that would be 2.3 pounds. A module consists of sixty solar cells.
The Weight Of Commercial Solar Panels
Residential solar panels are slightly smaller than commercial solar panels. They weigh about 50 pounds and have a width of 3.5 feet and a length of 6.5 feet. A commercial solar panel’s module ranges from seventy-two to ninety-eight solar cells.
This extra weight is spread over a larger surface area and weighs only about 2.5 pounds per square foot. Usually, sixty to seventy-two cell solar panels will be used in residential areas, while seventy-two cell panels will be used for commercial purposes.
Where Does The Extra Weight Come From?
The extra weight does not come from a large number of solar cells present in a solar panel which is lightweight and weighs only a few hundred grams but from the tempered glass and aluminum framing used in the solar panel.
Will My Roof Be Able To Handle Solar Panel Installation?
First, check if your roof is stable and in good condition before installing a solar panel. This way, you will know if your roof can handle the solar panel’s weight.
Statistics and calculations:
Imagine installing a solar array of six kilowatts with twenty panels. The panels will weigh about eight hundred pounds. The whole solar system will cover an area of about 352 square feet. Calculations say that a weight of 2.3 pounds per square foot will be on a sloping roof.
On a flat roof, it will be around five pounds. After adding all the solar installations, the weight comes out to be about three to four pounds per square foot.
Roofs are sturdy:
An average solar panel installation does not threaten your roof as the weight can be handled easily. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) says an average roof can tolerate about twenty pounds of snow per square foot. Solar panels weighing three to four pounds are nothing to worry about.
Get your roof inspected if doubts arise:
People with old homes may have doubts about their roof not being able to handle the extra weight. In that case, they should get their roof inspected by a structural engineer or a roofing company. This can prevent accidents later on and give you information about the limit and capability of your roof.
Conclusion
You should go for solar panels if your home can handle them. It is one of the best ways to save money on electricity bills since solar panels will generate all your energy. In many states, people install solar panels and offset a hundred percent of their bills.
Due to the high demand for solar panels, their price has decreased, and with rapidly advancing technology, their efficiency has increased. With rebates and incentives on the rise, installing a solar panel has never been easier than before.
