A typical residential solar panel is approximately 44" wide and 70" tall. It weighs 45 pounds.
For larger commercial systems a good choice is often larger panels.
The most common panels are silicon based, and are either mono-Silicon (using thin wafers of silicon cut from a silicon crystal), or poly-Silicon (crushed crystallized silicon that is reshaped into rectangles for use in a solar panel). In most climates which of these is used doesn’t much matter. Mono-Silicon panels generally have slightly higher power output.
Panels come from all over the world. The supply chain is very complex. Most often components are sourced from various places/countries and then assembled in a factory. Over the past several years more companies have been choosing to manufacture in the U.S.
One way solar panels are rated is by how much power they produce. Power ratings improve bit by bit all the time. In 2009 when we did our first project the power rating on a typical panel was maybe 225 Watts or 235 Watts. In 2025 we can procure panels of approximately the same size that are rated at 410+ Watts. This means more energy (kilowatt hour) output from about the same amount of space.
Probably the best way to be sure you get “good quality” panels is to ask about how your installer procures. Millennium 3 Energy only purchases from large reputable distributors.
Photovoltaic systems are entirely scalable… That is, you could have a 1-panel array or a 1 million panel array.
A solar system typically comprises solar panels, a racking system for attaching the panels, an inverter or inverters that convert the power from DC to AC, and the electrical conduit, wiring, boxes, etc. that it takes to connect the solar system to your home or facility electrical system.
Mono Silicon panels have the little diamond shapes among the cells. That’s because of the shape of a Silicon crystal.
Poly Silicon panels have the all-rectangle look, and generally more bluish in color.
