250-watt solar panels: Are they right for you?

One important metric to consider when comparing solar panel options is a panel's power rating, referred to as wattage. 250-watt (W) solar panels are close to the average wattage of solar panels available today and are an excellent panel option for many solar projects.

Most solar panels installed on homes or businesses today are between 250 to 365 watts per panel; solar panels above and below that range are also available. To determine if 250W solar panels are right for you, it's essential to understand the options and how much energy 250W panels produce.

Many manufacturers make 250W solar panels. Below is a list of 250W panels, each with their efficiency and the company that produces them. Some manufacturers make more than one 250W panel model, but only one model per company is listed below.

List of 250-watt solar panels

A single 250W solar panel is rated to produce 250 watts of power. Still, the power output you see from your panels depends on many factors, including geographic location, shading, and the tilt of your panels.

The number of solar panels you'll install depends on the electricity you want to generate and the space available for solar panels. The table below compares different-sized solar panel systems by the number of 250W solar panels needed for each system size. In some cases, the number of 250W panels is rounded to the nearest panel.

How many 250-watt solar panels do you need? System size comparison table

Assumes a production ratio of 1.41

Using eight 250W solar panels will produce roughly 2,800 kilowatts hours (kWh) of electricity, significantly below how much electricity a standard single-family household uses. Installing 24 panels for a 6 kW system will produce enough electricity to offset your electric bill with solar significantly.

How much space will a solar energy system using 250W panels take on your roof or property? The table below demonstrates estimates for solar energy systems using only 250W solar panels. To calculate the estimated space needed, we assumed that 250W solar panels are, on average, 16.5 square feet (5.5' by 3').

How much space will a solar installation with 250-watt solar panels take?

250W solar panels are around standard for space efficiency on your roof, and a typical roof of a single-family home will likely have enough space for the number of panels needed to offset electricity costs significantly. Consider a ground-mounted solar system if you have a small roof or a roof with lots of space, but you don't want to cover it with panels.

250W solar panels are near the average wattage of panels used for solar installations and will make sense for many property owners. Whether looking for low, standard, or high-wattage panels, you can get multiple solar quotes from pre-screened installers by signing up on the EnergySage Marketplace. If you have preferences regarding solar equipment, you can note them in your account so installers can quote accordingly. If you'd prefer to start investigating your solar options with a quick estimate on what solar can save you, try our Solar Calculator.