Question

A residential PV system needs to supply 2kW. Assume that: - The solar panel has an efficiency of 18% - Solar irradiance on the surface of the solar panel is 1kW/m2 - 60-cell solar panel is used with and area of 1.66 m2. How many 60-cell panels will be needed to generate 2kW for the home?

Answer 1

To solve the problem it is necessary to find the total power generated by each of the panels and then through a proportional relationship find the number of total panels.

There is an efficiency of 18% of which the area of
`1.66m ^ 2` receives a surface radiation of
`1kW / m ^ 2`

Therefore the power is subject to

`P_u = 1*1.66*(18\%)`

`P_u = 0.2988kW`

Each panel will have the capacity to produce 0.2998kW

The number of panels required is determined by the total power given by each of the panels, that is

`P_T = \#Panels * P_u`

`\#Panels = (P_T)/(P_u)`

`\#Panels = (2kW)/(0.2988kW)`

`\#Panels = 6.69 \approx 7`

Therefore the number of panels required are 7