The Solar Panel Paradigm - Residential VS Commercial PV Systems

Solar power systems can be installed everywhere, from commercial buildings to residential homes. Compared to fossil energy, solar energy costs less in terms of maintenance and electricity bills.

Here, we will discuss the detailed residential vs. commercial solar panel details so that people can choose the right one for their needs.

Residential VS Commercial PV Systems

With the high surge in electric bills, home and company owners are actively switching to green energy. However, people are curious about residential and commercial solar panels' efficiency, costs, and benefits. 

Solar panel systems are of two types, residential and commercial. As the name indicates, residential solar systems are for domestic use, whereas commercial solar systems are for industrial use. 

There is a big difference between residential and commercial PV panels. Commercial PV projects are enormous and complex and thus take more time and effort than residential ones. Despite that, both options vary in efficiency, size, color, installation, and cost.

Efficiency

Commercial solar power systems are more efficient than residential PV panels. This is because commercial PV systems have many more solar cells and have a high capacity to generate solar electricity. On the other hand, residential solar systems consist of fewer PV cells and can produce less energy. However, the cost of 5kW of power produced by residential and commercial PV panels is the same.

Size

Residential properties have fewer energy requirements than commercial buildings. Therefore, residential solar systems are generally smaller, consisting of 72 PV cells with a dimension of 65 inches by 39 inches. Whereas commercial solar systems are more extensive, having 96 solar cells with a size of 78 inches by 39 inches.

Moreover, the residential solar power requirements only need 15-20 panels ranging from 1-10 kWs. However, commercial solar projects have an average of 400 PV panels.

Color

Solar panel colors vary, as commercial solar panels come in white, and residential panels come in black and white. However, it depends on customer preference and the installation area background where the panels are about to be installed. For instance, if you have black backing, you may go for black solar panels; if you have white backing, you may choose white ones.

Installation

The Bolted racking system is used to install solar panel systems in residential and commercial projects. Installing a residential solar project is quicker and may take 2-3 days. However, installation of commercial solar power projects is a long process and may take up to a month.

Commercial PV projects may prolong due to some factors, such as permits and higher technical specs. Otherwise, due to the plain surface, installing panels is a simple process compared to the inclined rooftops of residential projects.

Cost

The cost of solar power is calculated per kilowatt hour. Commercial solar systems are costlier than residential PV systems. Commercial solar systems have more panels; thus, it costs higher. However, solar panel costs vary from company to company. 

 Also Read: Residential Solar Energy Systems in Pakistan - Types & Capacity

Conclusion

GHG carbon emission is threatening the world, and energy produced by fossil fuels is one of the main reasons behind it. As the world transitions from carbon to green energy, the demand for solar systems is increasing daily. However, knowing the difference between residential and commercial PV systems is crucial. Before opting for an option, you must acknowledge how much energy your house or commercial building consumes because that's how you'd make an informed decision and pick the right solar power system for your needs.