does size matter?

[wine_guy_3]

I was checking out several different sized solar panels.
They all seem to provide about 9 watts per square inch. (100, 195, 250, 300, 375 watt etc).
Does one size have any advantages over the other, other than the number of panels needed to provide 1kW?

Thanks in advance

[DamonHD]

If you are short of space, some variant of monocrystalline will generate the most power per unit area; other variants may be a bit cheaper.

Rgds

Damon

[wine_guy_3]

sorry, my bad math .....
I should have said between 0.1 and 0.13 watts per square inch

[bigrockcandymountain]

Some of the voltages are more applicable than others for small pwm systems.  36 cell panels, usually the 100w size are usually for 12v.  The news 60 cell or 72 cell work well for 24v.  Those are the 300w 350w etc.  With mppt you pretty much just string a bunch together to get a voltage that is within the charge controller voltage range.

Large panels are easier to build racks, less wires and connections etc. 

I helped a guy build a 2.1kw system with 21 100w panels just because that is what he had.  His system is 48v.  I think we did 3 strings of 7 panels each.  I can't remember the voltages, but it works ok.  The biggest drawback is the headache to build the racking. 

[Mary B]

I went with 160 watt 12 volt panels... main reason? They are lighter and I have a bad back and shoulders and lifting a 350 watt panel over head to put on the rack was NOT an option!

If I was going to add now? 350 watt panels and have helpers... I run MPPT and 4 panels in series so voltage per panel is moot.