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Solar Panels for a 1,500 Sq Ft Home

Estimate panels, system size, and savings for your home size

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Homes around 1,500 square feet typically need 17 to 34 solar panels to cover their electricity use, though the exact number depends on your state's sun hours, your roof orientation, and how efficiently your home uses energy. This page starts with pre-loaded values for a 1,500 sq ft home — tweak any input to reflect your actual situation and get a sharper, personalized estimate.

1,500 sq ft

Home Size

13–17

Typical Panels

5–7 kW

Typical System

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Solar Panels for 1,500 Sq Ft — FAQ

What happens to my solar system during a power outage?▾
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut down during grid outages (a safety requirement to protect utility workers). To keep power flowing during an outage, you need battery backup or a generator. Hybrid systems with battery storage can maintain critical loads for hours or days during outages.
What is a good payback period for solar panels?▾
The typical solar payback period in the US ranges from 6 to 12 years. States with high electricity rates (California, Massachusetts, Hawaii) tend to have shorter payback periods. The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can shave 2–3 years off the estimates shown here.
What is net metering and how does it affect my savings?▾
Net metering is a utility billing arrangement where your excess solar production flows back to the grid and you receive a credit on your bill — usually at the retail electricity rate. Most US states require investor-owned utilities to offer net metering, though credit rates vary. Our calculator assumes full retail-rate net metering credits.
How do I size a solar system to my electricity bill?▾
Divide your monthly bill by your electricity rate to get monthly kWh, then multiply by 12 for annual kWh. Divide annual kWh by (peak sun hours × 365 × 0.80) to get approximate system size in kW. This calculator does all of that automatically — just enter your bill and state.
Do I need a permit for solar panel installation?▾
Yes, virtually all residential solar installations require building permits and electrical permits, plus utility interconnection approval. Your solar installer handles all of this as part of the installation process — it's a standard part of what you're paying for. Permit fees range from $100 to $500 depending on your municipality.

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Disclaimer: Estimates based on typical electricity consumption for a 1,500 sq ft home using NREL sun hour data and EIA rate averages. Actual results vary. Not financial advice.