How Big Are Solar Panels? Here's Their Typical Size and Weight

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How big are solar panels?

The size of the system will also depend on the roof itself.

Solar works best on large, unshaded,south-facing roofs with a gentle slope.

Frank said the typical weight of a solar panel is around 3 pounds per square foot.

On that 25-panel example from before, that would weigh about 1,125 pounds.

A whole solar system weighs about the same as a layer of shingles on your roof, Frank said.

“It’s important to have a single layer of shingles on your roof,” Frank said.

Not all solar panels are made the same way.

Here are some reasons they differ:

Any chimneys, vents or other roof features may take away from the available space for panels.

First off, the size of your system will determine its capacity: how much energy it can generate.

The size of the system will also affect how much it costs.

The more panels you have, the more expensive the installation will be.

It’s important to compare that cost to the potential savings you’ll gain on your electricity bill.

There’s also the question of how these panels are going to look on your roof.

Will they be on the front or back of the house?

Lined up in one neat block, or staggered?

“These things matter when people start to think about aesthetics,” Frank said.

The ideal size for a solar panel system will be individual to you and your home.