How Much Energy Does A Solar Panel Produce?
If you''re thinking about going solar, one of your biggest questions is likely: how much electricity can a solar panel actually
About 97% of solar panels quoted on the EnergySage Marketplace in 2025 are 400 to 460 watts—expect to see panel outputs in this range in your quotes. Your panels' actual output will depend on your roof's shading, orientation, and hours of sun exposure. The efficiency and size of your solar panels drive their power output.
One kilowatt-hour equals 1,000 watts used for one hour. For example, a 400-watt solar panel produces 400 watts of power in an hour under perfect sunlight. If it gets 5 hours of full sun, it generates about 2 kilowatt-hours (400W x 5h = 2,000Wh or 2kWh) that day. This difference between power rating (watts) and actual energy produced (kWh) is key.
On average, 15-20 solar panels of 400 W are needed to power a house. This can vary depending on your solar panels' wattage rating, solar panels' efficiency, climate in your area, your total household electricity consumption, and how much of that you want to offset to your solar panels. How do I calculate my electricity consumption?
Let's say you get 26 450-watt solar panels installed on your roof: That gives you a 11,700 watt, or 11.7 kW solar panel system (near the average system size quoted on the EnergySage Marketplace).
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