Size Constraints

[zander1976]

Hello,

I started thinking about size of a solar setup. If I wanted to build lets say a 5kw ( lets say highly efficient panels like 230watt from canadian solar ) what kind of size am I going to be looking at for the install. I assume you need space between rows and stuff but just a basic idea would be fine.

Thanks, Ben

[DamonHD]

My very rough rule of thumb is ~7m^2 (so I guess about 70sqft) per kWp for monocrystalline; poly would be a tiny bit less efficient and thus larger.

Rgds

Damon

[zander1976]

How many cells would that end up being..

[zander1976]

I guess I should clarify:

I am trying to figure out how many panels and how much space would be required to generate 5,000kws per month.

I am think that I would need 33 panels to produce 5kws of power per month assuming I had 5 hours of sun with 230watt panels. That sound about right.

Thanks, Ben

[SparWeb]

I like the AEE design guide, but there are many others that do about the same thing:

http://www.aeesolar.com/catalog/index.html

Hmm.  Well, last year you could download pieces of the catalog instead of the whole thing, and get the design guide separately if you wanted.
Now you must download the whole catalog (7MB):
http://www.aeesolar.com/PDFs/aee-solar-2010-catalog.pdf

Anyway what you're asking about isn't very complicated - but to do it right you have to get the DETAILS right.  A design guide like that one will help you ask the right questions and learn where to find the answers.