Table of Contents
As an environment-aware citizen and solar panel stalker, you must be interested in 250 watt solar panels. If you’re confused about this particular wattage solar panel’s specifications and other aspects, you are in the right place.
Interestingly, the earth intercepts 173 thousand terawatts of solar power. And this is ten thousand times more power than the entire planet’s usage. While fossil fuel combustion is degrading the environment, this solar energy is a blessing for us. You can also take part in the movement of going green by using a solar panel.
In this article, we are gonna talk about solar panels with a wattage of 250W. After reading this article you will learn all about 250 watt solar panels. Happy reading.
Full Specification Of 250 Watt Solar Panels
Let’s have an insight into the 250 watt panels, their types, features, suitability, cost, and more.
How A 250 Watt Solar Panel Works
Like other solar panels, a 250 watt panel is made up of small units of solar cells. Each cell contains crystalline silicon sandwiched between two conductive layers. These crystalline silicons are capable of knocking electrons out of their orbit when struck by photons from sunlight. This process is known as the photoelectric effect.
The freed electron flows in the same direction which produces direct current (DC). As home appliances can’t use this DC directly, a solar inverter converts the current into an AC(Alternative Current). Again, if the panel produces more power than consumption, a battery stores the excess electricity.
Types Of 250 Watt Solar Panel
There are three main types of solar panels. And like all other solar panels, 250 watt ones are available in three major types. Which are-
- Monocrystalline: Monocrystalline panels are made of single pure silicon crystals. These solar panels can effectively convert 20% of the sunlight that hits on the panel into usable energy. These are the most effective and long-lasting solar panels.
- Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline panels are made of different pieces of silicon crystals. These are less efficient and less expensive than monocrystalline panels. These panels can convert 15-17% of the sunlight that hits on the panel.
- Thin-Film Panels: Thin-film panels are lightweight and good for mobility. But in terms of efficiency, they fall behind the mono and polycrystalline solar panels.
Features Of A 250 Watt Solar Panel
Like other solar panels, 250 watt panels are said to be a great one-time investment. But some of their unique features are:
- Grid Versatility: These solar panels can be used for on-grid operations for households and business institutions. Likewise, these can be used for off-grid usage like camping and more.
- Low Maintenance: Once installed, these panels require very small maintenance. Cleaning once a year is more than enough to increase their efficiency.
- Silent Operation: These solar panels silently absorb the sunlight and convert it into usable energy. You will find no noise using it.
- Require Less Space: Required space for solar panels depends on the required power for the establishment and the wattage of the panel. 250 watt panels require less space than low-wattage solar panels.
- Energy Consistency: 250 watt panels are consistent enough to produce energy all day long. But this production varies on weather, geographic location, and other different factors.
- Durability: All types of 250 watt panels last at least 20-30 years. Even the low-quality and cheapest solar panels last for a long
Energy Produced By A 250 Watt Solar Panel
The maximum amount of electricity produced by a solar panel is defined by wattage. This wattage is measured under a Standard Test Condition(STC). STC refers to 77°F (25°C) of temperature, 1 kW of solar radiation per square meter, and no wind. This type of standard condition is hardly found. So, you should expect less energy than the wattage rating provided by the manufacturer.
To calculate how much energy a solar panel can produce, you need to multiply the wattage by the sunlight hours. For instance, if your house gets about six hours of sunshine daily, a standard 250 watt panel would produce 250×6=1500 watts or 1.5 kWh of power daily.
250 Watt Solar Panel Price
The cost of the solar panels depends on the type and wattage of the panel. Monocrystalline solar panels cost about $1 to $1.5 per watt whereas polycrystalline panels cost $0.7 to $1 per watt. So, at this rate, a 250 watt solar panel price can vary from $250 to $350 depending on the panel type and manufacturer company.
However, there are many other options available if this price is not convenient for you. Alternative options available are:
- Buy Used Solar Panels: There are organizations and businesses that market used solar panels. You can buy used solar panels from them easily. And these can cost you about $50 to $70.
- Buy Low Cost Solar Panels: Some specialized enterprises offer the cheapest solar panels to encourage renewable energy. Some of the companies that offer low cost solar panels are- Sunpower, Renogy, ADT Solar, Blue Heaven, Longi, etc. These low cost solar panels can save you a considerable amount of money. Likewise, if you buy used solar panels that will cost you very small too.
- Get Used Solar Panels For Free: You can collect used solar panels for free from various installer corporations. Some solar panel installer companies happily give away used solar panels for free to expand the particular market.
Are 250 Watt Panels Suitable For You?
To weigh the suitability of a specific wattage solar panel, you need to consider two main factors. The two factors are- the power output you need and the roof space you have available.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, average households consume 29 kWh of energy each day. A 250 watt panel produces 1.5 kWh of energy when it gets six hours of sunshine a day. So, you would need twenty to twenty-four 250 watt panels to meet your need.
Now, it’s a matter of fact whether you have enough roof space for 20-24 panels. It’s important to note that each 250 watt panel acquires 15-18 sq ft space. In summary, if all these conditions go in favor of you, 250 watt panels would be suitable for you.
Quick Recap
Let’s review all the aspects of a 250 watt panel and answer frequently asked questions briefly now.
- How Much Power Will A 250 Watt Solar Panel Produce?
It depends on the type of panel, geographic location, weather, shedding, etc. Generally, a 250 watt panel can produce about 1.5 kWh of power per day in the availability of six hours of sunshine.
- How Much Does 250w Solar Panel Cost?
A 250 watt solar panel price varies from $250 to $350. And the used ones as the cheapest solar panels can cost you up to 50-70 dollars.
- Is 250W Solar Panel Enough?
A solar panel system comprising twenty to twenty-four 250 watt panels is enough for average household usage.
- Can I Run 2 Solar Panels Together?
There are two types of electrical circuits-series and parallel. You can connect two solar panels in both ways. Connecting solar panels in series will increase voltage output, whereas parallel connection increases output amperage.
- Can I Use Normal Cables For Solar Panels?
No, it’s not okay to use normal cable for solar panels according to the National Electrical Code. Solar panels require cables suitable for outdoor usage. Generally, single-conductor Photovoltaic (PV) wires are used for solar panels.
The Bottom Line
Sources of fossil fuels are not abundant on the earth and they are decaying very fast. Opting for solar panels is a smart decision nowadays. However, the efficiency and suitability of 250W panels vary on different conditions and requirements. After all, we hope this article will help you to make a positive decision about 250 watt solar panels.
