You’ve probably found yourself thinking something like this: “If I install solar panels, how many do I need to make a dent in my power bill?” You’re not alone. A lot of people start researching solar energy with that exact question in mind.
That’s where this guide comes in.
At PSC Energy, we’ve written this article for Australians, using household examples. You’ll learn how much energy one panel can produce in a day, how to tell if it’s enough, and what can affect the output.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Impacts the Energy Output of One Solar Panel?
- The Difference Between Power (kW) and energy (kWh)
- The Average Energy Production of One Panel (with Examples)
- Real-Life Scenarios: What Can One Panel Power?
- How Many Solar Panels Do You Really Need?
- Variables to Consider Before Deciding on Solar Panels
- FAQ: How Much Energy Does One Solar Panel Produce?
By the end of this article, you’ll feel confident. We’re going to break things down in plain terms. You’ll understand how solar panels work, how much energy one panel can give you, and what that means for your home.
Ready to get started?
What Impacts the Energy Output of One Solar Panel?
The amount of energy a single solar panel produces depends on a few key factors. These factors include the amount of sunlight it receives, the quality of the panel, the installation, and even your location in Australia.
1. Sunlight hours matter most. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Therefore, the more sunlight a panel receives, the more energy it can produce.
In Australia, we’re lucky. Most places get between 4 and 6 hours of peak sunlight per day. That’s an average, so it varies by season and location. Darwin gets more sun than Hobart. In summer, you’ll usually get more power. In winter, less.
2. Panel quality makes a difference. Not all solar panels are built the same. The power rating on a panel tells you how much electricity it can generate under ideal conditions. Most residential panels in Australia today are rated between 400 and 500 watts (W).
That number shows the panel’s power output, not energy over time. Higher-rated panels can produce more energy in the same amount of sunlight.
3. Shade is your enemy. Even a little bit of shade on one panel can lower the energy output. This can be from a tree, an antenna or a nearby building. Some systems use microinverters to reduce the impact of shade, but it’s still better to avoid shaded areas whenever possible. Or trim back your beautiful tree.
4. Temperature plays a role. This surprises a lot of people, but solar panels don’t love heat. They need sunlight, not heat. In fact, high temperatures can slightly reduce the efficiency of panels. This means panels in cooler, sunny places often perform better than in very hot climates.
5. Dirt and maintenance. Panels work best when they’re clean. Dust, bird droppings, or leaves can block sunlight. In most Australian areas, rain helps keep them clean. Still, if you live near the coast or in a dusty region, occasional cleaning can improve output.
If you’re interested in learning more about solar systems, you might want to check out our introductory article titled, New to Solar: Start Here.
The Difference Between Power (kW) and energy (kWh)
One of the most common points of confusion in solar is the difference between power and energy. The terms sound similar, but they mean different things and knowing the difference will help you understand your solar system better.
Power is how fast something works.
Power is measured in kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. When you look at a solar panel’s rating (such as 400W), it tells you its maximum power output under ideal conditions.
Think of power like speed. It’s how quickly your panel can produce electricity at any given moment.
Energy is the measure of how much work is done over time.
Energy is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kilowatt-hour is equivalent to one kilowatt of power used or produced over the course of one hour. If a 400W panel runs at full power for 2.5 hours, it produces 1 kilowatt-hour of energy (0.4 kW × 2.5 hours = 1 kWh). Energy is what you see on your electricity bill.
Here’s an easy way to remember it:
- Power (kW) is like the speed of your car.
- Energy (kWh) is like the distance you’ve driven.
A panel might have a high-power rating, but if it doesn’t get much sun, it won’t generate much energy. On the other hand, a panel with a lower power rating but long sun exposure can still deliver solid energy output over time.
Why this matters to you:
When you buy solar, you’re not just buying power. You’re buying the ability to produce energy over time.
When someone says, “This panel is 400W,” that doesn’t mean it produces 400W all day long. It means that in full sunlight during peak sun hours, it can produce power at a rate of 400 watts, and how long it stays near that rate depends on the duration of your sunlight hours and other factors.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about power and energy, you might want to check out the following article titled, Power vs. Energy: kW vs. kWh.
The Average Energy Production of One Panel (with Examples)
Now that you understand the difference between power and energy, let’s look at how much energy one solar panel produces each day.
Start with the panel’s rating.
Most modern residential solar panels in Australia are rated between 400 and 500 watts of power. That means, under perfect conditions, the panel produces that much power at any given moment.
Solar panels are tested under special conditions. A temperature of about 25°C with light hitting the panel at a perfect, perpendicular right angle. We use peak sun hours to estimate energy production because it most closely resembles testing conditions when the sun is high in the sky over your roof.
The sun continues to shine before and after peak sun hours in the middle of the day. Your panels will harvest sunshine from sunup to sundown, well beyond peak sun hours.
Real life isn’t perfect. To estimate energy output, multiply your panel’s power rating by the number of peak sunlight hours the panel receives each day.
Use your local sunlight hours.
In Australia, the average number of peak sunlight hours per day ranges from approximately 3.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on the location and season. Peak sunlight hours are daylight hours when sunlight is strong enough to make the panel work close to its rated power.
Here are a few rough examples:
- In Sydney (around 3.9 hours of peak sunlight hours): A 400W panel will give about 1.56 kWh per day (0.4 kW × 3.9 hours = 1.56 kWh)
Monthly and yearly production. You can scale that up to get monthly or yearly numbers:
- Monthly (average): 1.56 kWh/day x 30 = 46.8 kWh
- Yearly (average): 1.56 kWh/day x 365 = 569.4 kWh
These are averages, so actual results may vary depending on weather, roof angle, shading, and the time of year.
And remember that these figures are for one panel only, for 3.9 hours a day.
Imagine what an entire solar array can do from sunup to sundown.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about weighing the cost of solar against the cost of the grid, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Solar Panels vs. Cost of Energy from the Grid.
Real-Life Scenarios: What Can One Panel Power?
Once you know how much energy a panel can produce, the next question is usually: what can I run with that? Let’s break it down using some household appliances and daily tasks.
Start with what one panel gives you.
Let’s say one 400W panel gets about 5.5 hours of strong sun each day. That gives you roughly 2.2 kWh of energy daily. What does that cover?
Here are a few real-world examples:
- Run your fridge. A modern energy-efficient fridge uses about 1 to 2 kWh per day. One panel can easily handle that.
- Charge your phone and laptop. Charging a smartphone typically requires a power input of around 3 to 12 watts. A laptop might use 20 to 100 watts per charge. These numbers are only the watts, not kWh, which is used to measure energy. How long you charge your phone and laptop is the variable you need to figure this one out.
- Use a washing machine. A cold wash cycle uses about 0.25 kWh per load. One panel could cover five or more loads a day, depending on settings. Hot water will completely skew these numbers.
- Watch TV. A modern LED TV might use 0.4 kWh per day.
- Run lights at night. LED lights use about 10 watts per bulb. If you have 10 bulbs running for 4 hours, that’s just 0.4 kWh. This is well within the range of a single panel’s output.
What it can’t do alone:
A single panel won’t power your entire home. It can’t run big appliances like electric ovens, pool pumps, or ducted air conditioning, on its own. Those need more energy than one panel can supply.
But even with just one panel, you’re offsetting some of your energy use. Multiply that by a dozen or more panels, and you start to see serious savings.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how to save with solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Self-Consumption: How to Increase Solar Energy Use.
How Many Solar Panels Do You Really Need?
The number of solar panels you need depends on your electricity usage, the available roof space, and your budget.
Start with your electricity bill.
Look at your last few electricity bills. Check your daily usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Let’s say you use 20 kWh a day. If one panel gives you about 2.2 kWh/day, you’d need around 9 to 11 panels just to cover your average usage. That’s a good start, but don’t stop there.
Why more panels make sense.
But here’s the honest truth: if you can afford it and your roof can take it, you should install as many panels as you reasonably can.
Electricity prices in Australia are high and continue to rise. The more solar energy you produce, the less you need to buy from the grid.
Even if you can’t use all your solar power during the day, most systems feed the extra into the grid, earning you feed-in tariffs that are small payments for each kWh you export.
More panels also mean:
- More energy to run appliances during the day.
- Better long-term savings, especially as battery storage becomes more affordable.
- More resilience against future price hikes or policy changes.
- More flexibility if your usage grows (e.g., you add a pool or EV).
Don’t size your system for today’s needs. Size it for tomorrow.
Energy needs increase, they don’t decrease. You may consider getting an electric car in a few years. Or switch from gas to electric heating. A slightly bigger system now saves you from expensive upgrades later.
Is there such a thing as too many panels?
Yes, but it’s rare. You’ll be limited by roof space, budget, or local network export limits. Some energy companies cap how much solar you can send back to the grid. A good installer will help you design a system that boosts value within those rules.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about your energy needs, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Solar Do You Need?
Variables to Consider Before Deciding on Solar Panels
Before you commit to a solar system, it’s important to understand the key factors that can affect how well your panels perform. These variables don’t change the quality of the panels themselves, but they do impact the energy you get from them.
1. Roof space and shape. The more space you have, the more panels you can install. But size isn’t everything. Your roof also needs to be in good condition and have the best tilt and orientation.
North-facing roofs get the most sun in Australia. East- and west-facing roofs can still work well, but output will be slightly lower.
If your roof has numerous small sections, vents, or skylights, this can limit the installation of panels. A good installer will design a layout that uses your space efficiently.
2. Shading. Even small amounts of shade can cut into your energy production. Trees, chimneys, TV antennas, and nearby buildings are common problems.
Some systems can reduce the impact of shade using microinverters. But the best approach is always to keep panels in full sun where possible.
3. Climate and weather. Australia is sunny, but not every region gets the same amount of solar energy. Tropical areas may receive more sunlight, but also experience more clouds and storms. Southern regions, such as Tasmania, have shorter winter days.
Your local climate affects your average energy production, and your installer should consider this when determining your energy needs.
4. Local grid rules and limits. Some energy companies and local networks limit how much solar you can feed into the grid. Others may charge export tariffs.
These rules vary by state and provider. Your installer will help you navigate these limits, but it’s worth asking early in the process.
5. Future needs and upgrades. It’s smart to plan for changes. Will you get an electric car in the next few years? Are you thinking about a battery? Do you plan to grow your family or build a home office?
These things affect your energy use. If your roof can handle it, oversizing your system now gives you room to grow without needing costly upgrades later.
If you’re interested in the hidden costs of solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, Hidden Costs of Installing Solar: Switchboard Upgrades, Three-Phase Homes, Shade, and Meters.
Summary: Making the Numbers Work for You
Solar panels save you money and give you control over your energy future. One panel can generate approximately 1.5 to 2.6 kWh per day during Peak Sun Hours, depending on your location, weather conditions, and the system’s installation. That’s enough to run your fridge, power lights, or handle small appliances. Stack up 10 or more panels and you’re powering your home during the day.
But remember this: the more panels you can install, the greater the benefit you’ll receive. Electricity prices aren’t going down. Your energy needs will go up. Solar gives you energy independence, and the system you install today will serve you for decades.
If you’re unsure how many panels to install or need help understanding what’s best for your home, PSC Energy can guide you through the process. We’ll show you real numbers based on your home, your usage, and your budget. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar panels and energy systems, you might want to check out the following article titled, Are Solar Panels Worth It in NSW, Australia? A Price Breakdown for 2025.
FAQ: How Much Energy Does One Solar Panel Produce?
How much electricity does a single solar panel produce per day in Australia?
A standard 400W solar panel in Australia produces between 1.5 and 2.6 kWh per day during Peak Sun Hours, depending on the number of sunlight hours, roof angle, shading, and location. Areas like Perth or Brisbane with more sun will see higher output than southern cities like Hobart or Melbourne.
What affects the energy output of a solar panel?
Key factors include the panel’s watt rating, the amount of peak sunlight it receives daily, its direction and tilt, any shading from trees or buildings, and the local climate. Clean, north-facing panels in full sun will perform best in most parts of Australia.
What does kWh mean in solar panels?
kWh, or kilowatt-hour, measures how much energy a solar panel produces over time. For example, a 400W panel generating power for 5 hours will produce 2 kWh of energy. This is different from kW, which measures power output at a single point in time.
Is one solar panel enough to power a house?
No, one panel alone isn’t enough to power a whole house. Most homes in Australia need 10 to 20 panels to offset average daily electricity usage. One panel can power small appliances like a fridge or lighting, but not larger systems on its own.
How many solar panels should I install?
If budget and roof space allow, install as many panels as you can. More panels increase your savings, allow for future energy needs, and make better use of feed-in tariffs. Oversizing your system upfront is usually cheaper than upgrading later.
How many kWh does a 6.6kW solar system produce per day?
A 6.6kW system typically produces 24 to 30 kWh per day in sunny parts of Australia. Output varies based on your location, roof orientation, and time of year. This size system suits most medium-sized Australian households.
What can I power with one solar panel?
One solar panel can power a fridge, several LED lights, a laptop, or multiple phone charges per day. It produces enough energy to cover light appliance use, but you’ll need multiple panels to meet full household demand.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes, but at reduced output. On cloudy or rainy days, a panel may produce 10% to 30% of its usual energy. Performance depends on cloud cover, panel type, and system design. Over the course of a year, daily variations average out.
