Solar panel output is rated in watts, which measures their peak power output. In other words, on the sunniest days of the year, in the middle of the day, a 500 watt solar panel will produce up to 500 watts of electricity. As recently as 2017, nearly half of solar quotes on Solar SME included solar panels rated to 300 watts or lower. These days, over half of the quotes customers receive on Solar SME include panels 400 watts or larger.
How Solar Panels Have Increased Power Output
There are two primary ways that manufacturers of solar panels have increased power output: through
Highest Watt Residential Solar Panel: Is 500 Watts the Right Choice for Your Home?
As of 2024, the highest watt residential solar panels have reached an impressive 500 watts solar panel . This significant milestone in solar technology marks a substantial increase in power output compared to previous generations. Just a few years ago, the idea of a 500-watt residential solar panel seemed far-fetched. Today, however, multiple solar companies are offering panels with this level of power.
To put this in perspective, as recently as 2017, the majority of solar quotes on Solar SME included panels rated at 300 watts or lower. Over the years, advancements in technology have led to more efficient and powerful solar panels. Currently, over half of the quotes customers receive on Solar SME feature panels rated at 400 watts or higher. The introduction of 500-watt panels is the latest leap forward in this progression.
How Solar Panels Have Increased Power Output
There are two primary ways that manufacturers of solar panels have increased power output: through efficiency gains and by making the panels larger. Efficiency gains mean that the panels have become better at capturing sunlight and converting it to electricity. The other way is by increasing the size of the panels.
In general, a standard residential 350 or even 400-watt panel is about four feet wide by six feet tall. The 500-watt solar panels that are available on the market are mostly just longer. They are still four feet wide but are seven and a half feet tall. This increase in size is a big reason why we’re here to tell you that, at least as of June 2023, you almost certainly do not need a 500-watt panel on your home.
Do You Need 500-Watt Solar Panels?
There are larger format solar panels designed for larger installs, but they are not necessarily more technologically advanced. In fact, the 500-watt panels on the market today actually have lower efficiency ratings than the best home solar panels. In other words, home solar panels are more power-dense than these behemoth 500 watt panels.
As solar panel technology keeps getting better, there’s no need to wait to go solar. There are great financial incentives today, and every month you pay an electricity bill is a month you could have saved with solar. What’s more, today’s solar panels are more than powerful enough to cover all of your home's electricity needs. A typical 500 square foot roof space is more than enough to fit enough solar to cover your needs.
Preparing for the Future
Household electricity demand is likely to increase as we electrify everything in our homes. But for now, the most efficient solar panels on the market today can easily power your entire home. Many homeowners opt to install a slightly larger solar panel system than they currently need with an eye to increasing future energy needs.
Getting Started with Solar
So, what are you waiting for? It’s free to get local solar quotes with the most efficient solar panels on Solar SME, and best of all, it only takes a few minutes. Thanks for reading! Let us know in the comments what other questions you have about all things home energy.