What is a 400W solar panel?
Most solar panels currently used in homes or businesses range in power from 250 to 365 watts per panel, but there are also higher and lower power solar panels.
Advances in solar cell technology have led to ever-increasing solar panel sizes. However, the development of new solar panels above 400 watts also stems from competition between solar panel manufacturers, with each company wanting to claim that their solar panel is the largest.
But does size really matter when it comes to solar panels? To evaluate whether a 400W solar panel is right for you, you must first understand your alternatives and the amount of energy a 400W panel produces.
So, what exactly is a 400W solar panel?
A 400w solar panel has an output of 400 watts and can be used for both residential and commercial solar projects. A 400w solar panel can produce between 1.2 and 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day, depending on the amount of sunlight and other parameters such as geographic location and tilt.
How much electricity does a 400W solar panel produce per day?
Under practical conditions, a 400W solar panel can provide between 1,200 watt-hours (1.2 kWh) and 3,000 watt-hours (3 kWh) of direct current electricity per day, depending on your location. Using the peak solar hours for your area, you can get an accurate value for your location. Generally speaking, a sunny place like Texas has 6 peak solar hours (PSH) per day. Simply multiply the wattage of the solar panel by the number of PSHs – 400 W x 6 PSHs – to get 2,400 watt-hours (2.4 kWh) as the average daily energy production.
How many 400-watt solar panels do you need?
The number of solar panels you want to install depends on how much power you plan to generate and how much space you have available for the solar panels. Many people opt for 400W solar panels due to a lack of roof space; this is because 400W solar panels are more efficient at generating electricity than many lower-wattage solar panels, given the area they require. The table below compares different solar panel system sizes based on the number of 400W solar panels required for each system size. In some cases, the number of 400W panels is often rounded up to the nearest panel.
The number of solar panels needed depends on how much power your home needs and how much space you have. 400W solar panels are often a good choice for small homeowners because they are more efficient at generating electricity per square foot than lower-wattage solar panels. The table below shows how many 400W panels you should buy for various roof sizes, including some relevant information about the panels.
Table 1.0 System Size Comparisons
| System Size (Kw) | Number Of 400-Watt Solar Panels | Estimated Space Needed (Sq. Ft.) |
| 2 kW | 5 | 114 |
| 5 kW | 13 | 296 |
| 6 kW | 15 | 341 |
| 7 kW | 18 | 410 |
Solar panels approaching 400W are relatively space-efficient compared to less powerful solar panels, and an average roof on a home may have enough room to install the number of panels needed, significantly balancing the electricity bill. If you have a smaller roof or don’t want to cover it with panels, consider a ground-mounted solar system.
Five 400W solar panels will generate about 3,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, which is much less than a typical single-family home uses. Installing 15 solar panels for a system of about 6 kW can generate enough power to significantly reduce or eliminate your electric bill.
How much space does a solar system take up on your roof or home? Here are estimates for 400W solar panels. To calculate the estimated space, we assumed the average 400W panel would be 22.75 square feet (6.5′ x 3.5′).
| System Size (Kw) | Average Annual Kwh Production | Number of 400w Solar Panels |
| 2 kW | 2,820 | 5 |
| 5 kW | 7,050 | 13 |
| 6 kW | 8,460 | 15 |
| 7 kW | 9,870 | 18 |
Are 400W solar panels more expensive?
Yes, 400 watt solar panels are more expensive than smaller sized solar panels. This is not because they produce more energy, but because the energy they produce per hour is more expensive.
Solar panel manufacturers must use more innovative manufacturing processes to create solar panels that provide more power while maintaining the same dimensions. Additionally, 400-watt panels are the newer, higher-end versions, and solar panel manufacturers typically achieve larger profit margins on these products.
If you install 400W solar modules in your solar system instead of the more common 300-350W modules, you may need to pay a 5-10% premium per watt.
No matter how efficient a 400W solar panel is, the amount of power it produces will be affected by a number of fundamental factors, including:
Peak hours of sun exposure for your location
System Type: The most common grid-tied systems lose approximately 15% of power.
Cloudy conditions: Clouds can reduce panel efficiency by up to 25%.
Orientation of solar panels
Angle: A pitched roof of approximately 30 degrees is considered to provide the best performance.
Materials used for panels
All in all, there are several aspects to consider when choosing the best solar equipment. For some homeowners with limited space, a 400-watt solar panel may make sense. While these solutions are more expensive than lower wattage modules, you need fewer modules to meet your power needs. Getting a 400-watt solar panel is easier than you think. Let us show you the way.Let us show you the way. Contact Sungold Solar today to find out if we can assist you!
