A 250w solar panel is one of the most widely manufactured panels and is therefore used in many businesses, homes, and cottages by owners who wish to go green.
In this article, discover whether 250w solar panels are the best choice for your needs and learn more about how they work and how much energy these panels produce.
You’re likely going to need more than 250 watts, so to make an informed decision, we’ll explain some key points before you even consider buying:
- What Does 250w Solar Panel Mean?
- How Much Power Can a 250 Watt Solar Panel Produce
- Can We Run Air Conditioner on 250w Solar Power
- How Many Amps Should My 250w Solar Panel Put Out?
- And more
All the information and specifications related to solar panels can be a lot to take in. That’s why we’re here to help! By the time you’re done here, you’ll know more about 250w solar panels and whether these will be a great choice for your property.
![250 watt solar panels on a pole in the desert](http://wordpress-sscks4s.digitalbuildr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/250-watt-solar-panels-on-a-pole-in-the-desert.jpg)
How Much Power Can a 250 Watt Solar Panel Produce?
A typical 250-watt panel produces 250 watts of solar power. However, the output of each panel also depends on several factors, including:
- Amount of sun that a solar panel receives
- Amount of shade the solar panel receives
- The location of the solar panel
- How much of a tilt the solar panel is on
Are 250 Watt Solar Panels Good?
Absolutely! At the higher rate of watts, you are producing the most amount per panel. Which means fewer panels, cables, and connections.
Although 250-watt panels are not the average size of solar panels used for projects, it’s still possible to get them, although because they are not the most popular size you will lose out because of the rate reduction for mass manufacturing.
Solar panel sizes on a commercial level are produced more widely at the 200-watt level. When you have solar panels above 200 watts, they become harder to transport and install on the roof.
While 250w solar panels provide an outstanding energy source, they work best in combination with a 12v battery. Although they are most often used for homes, other common uses of 250w panels include:
- Motorhomes
- Caravans
- Boats
- Cottages
- Hunt camps
See also: Solar Panel Sizes and Wattage: A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Right Choice
How Much Does a 250 Watt Solar Panel Cost?
The average price of solar panels runs from $0.70 to $1.50 per watt. Depending on the type of solar panel you choose, you can find them as low as $0.30 and as high as $2.20 per watt.
Most 250w solar panels cost anywhere from $175 to $375 per panel, depending on the system you decide on. A homeowner pays an average of $3910 to $649 for the entire solar panel system. Panels can range in price from $1890 to $13600.
The range in prices of 250w solar panels depends on many factors, including:
- The size of the solar panel system
- Type of panels you choose
- If you are on a utility grid or not
Here’s a great example of a high-watt solar panel at 240 watts from Newpowa. Compared to a 200-watt solar panel, they are more square in shape which fits better for some installations.
- 【New Design】Top Selling 240W using 166mm High Efficiency Solar Cells and cutting-edge encapsulating material with...
- 【Dimension】54.72*34.45*1.38inch. High winds (2400PA) and snow loads (5400PA).
- 【Maximum power (Pmax)】240W, Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):23.16V, Current at Pmax (Imp): 10.4A.
How Big Is a 250 Watt Solar Panel?
The size of each solar panel depends on the wattage of the panel and the cell configuration. A typical solar panel has 32 cells and can generally produce a 14.72 voltage output. Each cell in the solar panel produces roughly 0.46 volts.
The average size of a standard 60 cell 250w solar panel is 3.25 feet by 5.5 feet and weighs around 19 kg. However, each solar panel varies slightly in size depending on the system.
The 240-watt solar panel from Newpowa above is;
- Length 54.72 inches
- Width 34.45 inches
- Thickness 1.38 inches
- Weight 36.4 pounds
How Many Amps Does a 250w Solar Panel Produce?
Most 250-watt solar panels produce an average of 75 to 90 amps of power per hour. This figure assumes that the solar panel is exposed to direct sunlight. However, many factors influence the number of amps a 250-watt solar panel produces, including:
- Type of system you have installed
- The amount of shade the solar panel receives
- The number of sun hours the solar panel receives
- Your electricity usage
If you are looking for hourly electric current production, a 250-watt solar panel should be able to produce 12.5-amps of power per hour.
How Many Kwh Does a 250 Watt Solar Panel Produce?
On a perfect, clear day, a 250-w solar panel should produce 250 watts or more of power. This wattage is enough energy to run a fridge for one hour. Many panels only run at 75% efficiency, however, so you will likely get less than it’s rated for.
Multiply the number of watts by the number of hours of sunlight your panel gets in a day. This number will tell you how much electricity a 250w solar panel produces per day.
Why More Is Better
A higher watt rating will produce more electricity. By adding more panels, you can generate more power for your property.
You will want multiple panels to reap the benefits of installing solar panels to power your entire home.
After calculating the minimum number of panels you need for your power requirements, it’s a good idea to add up to three more panels than you need. These act as buffers for overcast days.
How Bright Is a 250 Watt Solar Light?
A 250w solar light is an ideal choice for outdoor lighting. A solar light can output 1,100 lumens of brightness, and many solar lights come with a motion detection feature. These solar-powered lights are bright enough to use for many purposes, including:
- Factory yards
- Parking lots
- Farm lots
- Front entrances
- Backyards
Can We Run Air Conditioner on 250w Solar Power?
Yes, you can run an air conditioner on 250-watt solar power. To run a 1-ton air conditioner, you need 1.2 kW of power.
Therefore, it would take 5 to 6 250W solar panels to run your air conditioner, assuming there is adequate sunlight to charge your solar panels.
Your solar panel might need to be backed up with batteries to run your air conditioner on cloudy days. Check this solar panel calculator to get a better picture of how many you’ll need for your application.
250w Solar Panel Voltage
250w panels have grown in popularity over recent years and are used by many homeowners for their power capacity and availability.
A grid-tie solar panel system can work without a battery source because of stored energy within the power grid.
If you are off-grid, your solar panel will need a 100ah battery to produce 1200W of energy per day with at least 5 hours of sunlight.
How Compatible Is a 12v System
250-watt solar panels work best on a 12-volt system.
A 250-watt solar panel combines several cells to produce its voltage. An average 12-volt solar panel has 36 cells.
With four hours of sunlight a day, the average 12v 250-watt solar panel can produce 30 kWh per month. However, this number can fluctuate depending on the amount of shade-covered days within the month.
250w 12v Solar Panel
Commonly found on the rooftops of many homes, 250-watt 12-volt solar panels placed together in a line are an excellent option for running a home.
250w 12v solar panels are ideal for camping trips and RVs because many units are lightweight and easy to transport.
A 12V solar panel also works for smaller applications, such as street lights, minivans, mobile homes, interior lighting, charging stations, water pumps, and boats.
Characteristics to look for in a suitable 250w 12v solar panel include:
- Panels that have a charge controller add-on feature
- Panels that are certified
- Systems made of polycrystalline
- Units purchased from a reputable buyer that include a warranty
- Solar panels that include a built-in battery source
250w Solar Panel Specifications
Many solar panels on the market are made from polycrystalline and are designed to provide cost-effective energy alternatives where a power source is either unavailable or not viable.
Some features of a 250w solar panel include:
- Units are weather-resistant
- Made of tempered glass
- Composed of sturdy, durable frames
250 Watt Solar Panel With Battery
Off-grid solar panels require a constant power source to run household appliances in places where there is no other alternative source of power for backup. These solar panels require a battery supply. There are several varieties available on the market.
When shopping for your solar panels, look for the following features:
- High-efficiency units
- Waterproof
- Made of monocrystalline
- Include at least two 100Ah batteries per panel
- They are lightweight
250 Watt Solar Panel for $50
If you are looking for used 250w solar panels, you can probably find some for $50 or less second-hand. This comes with a large caveat, however. You might think you have found a deal by purchasing panels from someone in bulk at a lower price, only to find that some panels have faulty cells.
When looking at second-hand solar panels, bring your own testing tools on-site to verify that the panels are up to specifications.
Purchasing energy-efficient solar panels from a reputable seller are always the best option for your long-term investment in solar panels.
250 Watt Solar Panel 24 Volt
Similar to 12V solar panels, the 24V system is used in many homes. A 24-volt system produces a higher voltage and wattage that ranges from 1500 to 2000 watts. A 24-volt solar panel has both advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Advantages
- Produces higher voltage
- The system can charge 12V batteries
- These panels are more energy-efficient than a 12V system
- Provide a lower current
- Better suited for larger areas
Disadvantages
- Initial costs of a 12V system are higher
- Replacement parts may be more expensive
250 Watt Solar Panel FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about 250w solar panels.
What does a 250w solar panel mean?
250 watts is the rate of power that a solar panel delivers energy. The amount of energy per panel is measured in watts per hour.
Depending on several factors such as location and the amount of sun and shade, a solar panel produces energy delivered at hourly rates throughout the day. A typical 250w solar panel will receive around 4 to 5 hours of sun each day.
By using solar panels, you will be on the fast track to generating renewable energy for your home.
How many amps should my 250w solar panel put out?
The average-sized 100-watt solar panel produces roughly 5-amps.
So, with that being said, a 250-watt panel produces approximately 12.5 amps in one hour.
This amount will also vary depending on several factors, including:
- The specific unit
- The amount of sun versus shade the panel receives
- The productivity of the system
How do solar charge controllers work?
They work by acting like a valve that controls the current of energy transmitted from the batteries to the solar panel. They also ensure that your battery does not become overcharged, regulate battery use, and prevent damage to your solar panel system.
Charge controllers also have other beneficial purposes, including:
- Prevention of low voltage disconnection
- Prevent blockage of reverse currents
- Prevention of battery overloading
What size charge controller do I need for a 250-watt solar panel?
The charge controller in your 250w solar panel prevents your batteries from becoming overcharged. The charge controller also helps regulate your solar power. The charge controller sits between your solar panel and the battery compartment.
If your 250w solar panel is a 12V system, it requires a 30A charge controller. If your panel is 24V, it will need a 15A charge controller to run it.
What are watts and kilowatts?
To understand the capabilities of the solar panel you are looking to buy, you should know the units of power that produce electricity. These units include:
- W (watts)
- KW (kilowatts)
- Wh (watts per hour)
- kWh (kilowatts per hour)
1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt
1,000 watt per hour = 1 kilowatt per hour
What is the size of a 250-watt solar panel?
As mentioned earlier, the size of your solar panel depends on its wattage and cell configuration.
A 250w solar panel usually contains 32 cells and can produce a 14.72 voltage output. Each cell in a 250w solar panel produces roughly 0.46 volts.
A standard 60 cell 250w solar panel is roughly 3.25 feet by 5.5 feet and weighs around 19 kg. However, each solar panel varies slightly in size depending on the solar panel manufacturer.
Sources
- Solar Is Now ‘Cheapest Electricity in History,’ Confirms IEA
- https://www.carbonbrief.org/solar-is-now-cheapest-electricity-in-history-confirms-iea
- Critical Factors That Affecting Efficiency of Solar Cells
- Top Four Benefits of Installing Solar Panels on Your Home
- Hand Tools Used for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
- What Is Renewable Energy?
- Generating Electricity: Solar Cells
- Getting the Most Out of Solar Panels