The Ultimate Guide to Choosing 144 Cell Solar Panel

If you're looking to switch to solar, you may wonder if you have enough space to install the panels. This is a valid concern - solar panels are pretty big! Most home solar panels are about 5.5 feet x 3 feet and weigh roughly 40 pounds each.

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Most of the time, you won't see the size of solar panels expressed in feet. Instead, you'll see it's listed as the number of solar cells within a panel, with the most common solar panel sizes being 60-cell and 72-cell.

Let's take a closer look at the difference between these solar panel sizes and how to pick the right one for your home.

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How to measure solar panel size

When you look at a solar panel, you’ll see it’s made up of small squares. Those squares are called solar cells, and they're the part of the panels that turn sunlight into electricity.

You'll see the size of a solar panel described by how many cells it has. 60-cell panels are usually laid out in a 6 by 10 grid and are the most popular option for home solar installations. You’ll typically find that 60-cell solar panels have output ratings between 350 and 400 watts and efficiency ratings between 17% and 19%.

72-cell panels, on the other hand, are usually arranged in a 6-cell by 12-cell grid. Because 72-cell panels hold more cells, they are bigger and can produce more solar power, making them popular for commercial installations. 72-cell panel wattage usually sits around 415 to 450 watts, but they can get into the 460-watt range. Their efficiency ratings are typically between 18% and 21%.

Solar panel dimensions and weight

Many people want to know the physical size of solar panels, not just how many cells the hold. The average 60-cell solar panel is about 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, and weighs around 40 to 50 pounds. The actual dimensions will vary from panel to panel, so we’ve listed a few for some of the most popular 60-cell panels on the market:

72-cell panels are larger, about 80 inches by 40 inches and about 1.5 inches tall. This works out to just about 6.5 feet by 3 feet for 72 cell panels, give or take a few inches. 72-cell modules generally weigh around 50 pounds. Here are the dimensions for 72-cell panels offered by top brands:

Pros and cons of 60-cell and 72-cell solar panels

Here’s a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of each panel size.

How big are portable solar panels?

Once solar panels are installed on your roof, you don’t have to think much about their size anymore. 

But, with portable off-grid panels, solar panel size is one of the most important things to consider. Your RV might only have a small amount of roof space, or you might want something you can carry around and set up outside your campsite!

Because portable solar panels are made for travel, they tend to be smaller and have about 40 cells as opposed to 60. 200-watt portable panels are around 5 feet by 2 feet. 

You could also opt for flexible solar panels, which also measure about 5 feet by 2 feet. But flexible panels can bend and are much thinner than crystalline panels, so they’re easier for storage.

The flexible panel sold by Renogy, a popular portable solar brand, has 72 cells, but they’re smaller than the ones used in typical commercial panels. The panel is also substantially lighter, weighing just 10.8 pounds!

Folding solar panel kits are also an option for portable use. Foldable panels can be small enough to fit in your backpack, or large enough to power your RV - there's a wide range of options out there.

Factors that are more important than solar panel size

There are many factors that you should consider before the size of your solar panels, like solar panel efficiency and solar panel warranties. 

Solar panel efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of light that strikes the surface of a panel that is converted into usable electricity. Modern solar panels have efficiencies that range from around 17% up to 22.8% in some premium models.

Highly efficient panels take up less space, which will allow you to fit more panels on your roof.

Solar panel warranties

There are two types of warranties that cover solar panels.

The first is the product warranty. This is the period during which you can ask the manufacturer to replace the solar panel should any problem arise. Nowadays, a product warranty of 12 years is standard, but more brands are starting to offer product warranties of 25 years.

The second type of warranty is a performance guarantee. Most mainstream panels have a 25-year production warranty, guaranteeing the panel will produce a certain level of output at every stage of the panel’s life. From the date your panels are installed up until the 25-year mark, the minimum guaranteed output of your panels will gradually decrease.

You can expect an output of close to 100% for year one, gradually down to between 80 and 92 percent for year 25. This loss in output is technically known as solar panel degradation. Some solar panel manufacturers, such as Canadian Solar, even offer a 30-year performance warranty on certain panel models.

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How to find the best solar panel size

The easiest way for homeowners to figure out the best solar panel size for their needs is to work with a dedicated solar installer. Solar installers will size your system based on your energy needs, coupled with your available roof space and the sunlight in your area. They can recommend a system size that can fit on your roof and reduce or eliminate your electric bill. 

As you’re looking into home solar for the first time, it’s a common concern. You don’t want to end up with a solar panel system way too small for your energy needs. This means you spent a lot of money and still use (and pay) the utility company too much. You also don’t want to overspend on a system that’s way too big, and doesn’t maximize your savings.

So how do you figure out what’s just right for your home?

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The good news is, if you work with a reputable solar installer, they’ll do most of that work for you. Still, understanding the issue can help you act with more confidence, as you go solar.

Solar panel “size” is about the actual size the panels take up and the total wattage your system will produce. In this article, we will help you understand the relationship between solar panel size and wattage so you can make the best energy decisions for your home.

Solar Panel Size vs. Solar Panel Wattage

When searching for different solar panel sizes online, you may find your product choices are typically differentiated by their wattage, or by the number of cells on a panel, rather than their physical dimensions or arbitrary sizes like small, medium, and large.

A solar panel’s wattage, or power capacity, refers to its energy generation potential, with higher wattage panels able to deliver larger amounts of solar electricity. Solar panel wattage is abbreviated simply with a “W'' and 1,000W is equal to one kilowatt (kW). If you want to go into more math and the metric system, you can learn more about watts, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours.

Common Sizes and Wattages

While there are no standard sizes, most of today’s premium home solar panels come in one of three primary formats, classified by the number of solar cells.

• 60-Cell Solar Panels: 60-cell modules are the smallest residential solar panels, and today’s products have average dimensions of roughly 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet. Great for fitting on complicated roofs with limited installation space, most 60-cell solar panels are rated under 325W in power capacity.
• 72-Cell Solar Panels: With two extra rows of cells, 72-cell solar panels are about 6.4 feet tall on average (while still 3.25 feet wide) and typically rated 400W or higher. 72-cell solar panels are ideal for residential roofs with ample installation area.
• 96-Cell Solar Panels: Rarely used for residential installations, 96-cell solar panels usually measure around 6.4 feet by 4.3 feet. Commercial 96-cell solar panels may be rated 300W to 450W and higher.

High-quality residential solar installations in the US typically utilize solar panels rated between 250W and 430W. While lower-wattage solar panels (below 250W) may work for small, off-grid systems, higher-wattage solar panels are better suited for commercial or utility installations with fewer space restraints than residential rooftops.

Strung together and wired into your home’s electrical system, solar panel wattages are added together to calculate your total solar capacity. So if you install 20 solar panels, each rated at 325W, your total solar panel wattage would be 6,500W or 6.5 kW.  

Solar panels with half-cut cells

Half-cut solar cells are part of renewable energy tech innovation in , with several new products now available from solar panel manufacturers. Made up of solar cells that are “cut in half,” panels with this technology are the same size with double the number of cells. These panels increase power potential in the same installation footprints.

Half-cut panels typically contain 120 or 144 half-cut cells. As a new product, solar panels with half-cut cells may not be available in all markets and are usually more expensive than traditional 60 and 72-cell panels.

Total Dimensions for Home Solar Panel Systems

For efficient electricity production and ease of installation, nearly every home solar energy system is installed with the same panel wattage (and model) per panel throughout. Knowing this, calculating the dimensions of a solar panel array is fairly straightforward. Take the sum of the panels’ dimensions as they are arranged and installed on your roof.

To illustrate how much roof space is needed for solar panels, let’s say you decide to install a 9.6kW system to offset your home’s electricity use. This capacity can be created with 24 72-cell 400W solar panels, covering about 21 square feet each. In this scenario, you would need roughly 500 square feet of installation space (21 square feet x 24 panels) to host your system.

Can You Expand Solar Panel Systems After Installation?

It’s usually possible to add solar panels to an existing system. It’s typically more straightforward and better economic sense to build the system you need at the outset.

If your circumstances change after installation, maybe you’re getting and charging an EV for the first time, maybe you’re electrifying your home, it’s likely you can expand your system. You’ll need to figure out if your system’s permitting, components, like the inverter,  and your roof are compatible with more panels.

Adding solar battery storage

Another potential answer to maximizing your use of your solar electricity is adding solar battery storage.

Batteries store the unused electricity generated by your panels. You can use the power when needed, such as at night or during power outages. Instead of needing to add panels, you may be able to use your electricity more efficiently. Solar batteries can give you greater reliability, independence, safety, and savings.

How to Choose the Right Solar Panel Size

Unless you are planning a DIY solar panel installation, more often than not, you will not have to worry about choosing the right solar panel size for your home. Instead, a professional solar installer can work with you to determine the best solar panel wattage and size for your roof or property, tailored specifically to your unique energy demand, electricity costs, and available installation space.

Palmetto experts are always available to answer your questions about solar panel wattage or any related topics. To learn more, contact a Palmetto Solar Advisor today or explore further reading in our homeowner resource library.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many solar panels do I need?

Palmetto will calculate how many solar panels you need based on your power usage, the goals you have for your solar usage, your potential savings, your roof dimensions, and more. We work with each customer to answer every question and design the specific solar system for your home.

Does the size of my solar panels matter?

Yes, the physical dimensions of your panels matter as they relate to the available space on your roof. Solar panel wattage helps you calculate the overall capacity you need for a system which meets your family’s needs.

What if solar panels don’t generate as much electricity as I need?

If your solar panels are connected to the grid and are not giving your home enough electricity, electricity from the utility company will make up the difference. If this is a problem, potential solutions include adding solar battery storage or adding panel capacity to your system.

What happens if I produce more power than I need?

If your home is connected to the grid and you have net metering, excess energy produced can flow into the grid and earn you credit on your electricity bill. If you choose to integrate energy storage with your system, any excess energy not immediately used by your household will be stored in your battery.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 60 Cell Solar Panel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.