Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best 36 cell solar panel

If you're looking to switch to solar, you may wonder if you have enough space to install the panels. This is a valid concern - solar panels are pretty big! Most home solar panels are about 5.5 feet x 3 feet and weigh roughly 40 pounds each.

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Most of the time, you won't see the size of solar panels expressed in feet. Instead, you'll see it's listed as the number of solar cells within a panel, with the most common solar panel sizes being 60-cell and 72-cell.

Let's take a closer look at the difference between these solar panel sizes and how to pick the right one for your home.

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How to measure solar panel size

When you look at a solar panel, you’ll see it’s made up of small squares. Those squares are called solar cells, and they're the part of the panels that turn sunlight into electricity.

You'll see the size of a solar panel described by how many cells it has. 60-cell panels are usually laid out in a 6 by 10 grid and are the most popular option for home solar installations. You’ll typically find that 60-cell solar panels have output ratings between 350 and 400 watts and efficiency ratings between 17% and 19%.

72-cell panels, on the other hand, are usually arranged in a 6-cell by 12-cell grid. Because 72-cell panels hold more cells, they are bigger and can produce more solar power, making them popular for commercial installations. 72-cell panel wattage usually sits around 415 to 450 watts, but they can get into the 460-watt range. Their efficiency ratings are typically between 18% and 21%.

Solar panel dimensions and weight

Many people want to know the physical size of solar panels, not just how many cells the hold. The average 60-cell solar panel is about 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, and weighs around 40 to 50 pounds. The actual dimensions will vary from panel to panel, so we’ve listed a few for some of the most popular 60-cell panels on the market:

72-cell panels are larger, about 80 inches by 40 inches and about 1.5 inches tall. This works out to just about 6.5 feet by 3 feet for 72 cell panels, give or take a few inches. 72-cell modules generally weigh around 50 pounds. Here are the dimensions for 72-cell panels offered by top brands:

Pros and cons of 60-cell and 72-cell solar panels

Here’s a brief breakdown of the pros and cons of each panel size.

How big are portable solar panels?

Once solar panels are installed on your roof, you don’t have to think much about their size anymore. 

But, with portable off-grid panels, solar panel size is one of the most important things to consider. Your RV might only have a small amount of roof space, or you might want something you can carry around and set up outside your campsite!

Because portable solar panels are made for travel, they tend to be smaller and have about 40 cells as opposed to 60. 200-watt portable panels are around 5 feet by 2 feet. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 36 cell solar panel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

You could also opt for flexible solar panels, which also measure about 5 feet by 2 feet. But flexible panels can bend and are much thinner than crystalline panels, so they’re easier for storage.

The flexible panel sold by Renogy, a popular portable solar brand, has 72 cells, but they’re smaller than the ones used in typical commercial panels. The panel is also substantially lighter, weighing just 10.8 pounds!

Folding solar panel kits are also an option for portable use. Foldable panels can be small enough to fit in your backpack, or large enough to power your RV - there's a wide range of options out there.

Factors that are more important than solar panel size

There are many factors that you should consider before the size of your solar panels, like solar panel efficiency and solar panel warranties. 

Solar panel efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is the percentage of light that strikes the surface of a panel that is converted into usable electricity. Modern solar panels have efficiencies that range from around 17% up to 22.8% in some premium models.

Highly efficient panels take up less space, which will allow you to fit more panels on your roof.

Solar panel warranties

There are two types of warranties that cover solar panels.

The first is the product warranty. This is the period during which you can ask the manufacturer to replace the solar panel should any problem arise. Nowadays, a product warranty of 12 years is standard, but more brands are starting to offer product warranties of 25 years.

The second type of warranty is a performance guarantee. Most mainstream panels have a 25-year production warranty, guaranteeing the panel will produce a certain level of output at every stage of the panel’s life. From the date your panels are installed up until the 25-year mark, the minimum guaranteed output of your panels will gradually decrease.

You can expect an output of close to 100% for year one, gradually down to between 80 and 92 percent for year 25. This loss in output is technically known as solar panel degradation. Some solar panel manufacturers, such as Canadian Solar, even offer a 30-year performance warranty on certain panel models.

Find out if solar panels are worth it for your home

How to find the best solar panel size

The easiest way for homeowners to figure out the best solar panel size for their needs is to work with a dedicated solar installer. Solar installers will size your system based on your energy needs, coupled with your available roof space and the sunlight in your area. They can recommend a system size that can fit on your roof and reduce or eliminate your electric bill. 

The company is the world’s best custom solar panels supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

I currently have six 100 watt 12v Renogy Mono panels with the specs below: note 36 cells per panel.

I am looking at buying some 12v Rich Mono panels with the specs below: note 33 cells per panel.

I currently use a pair of Bogart PWM charge controllers.

I want to add more panels and upgrade to a Victron MPPT system and also want the flexibility of connecting the panels in various series-parallel configurations.

The Rich panels are the only panels I can find that match the existing Renogy volts and AH, and my physical size requirements. Moreover, the Rich panels are the only panels I have found that have 12 AWG wires rather than 14 AWG wires. My old Renogy panels have 10 AWG wires.

Question: Will the 33 cell Rich panels pose a problem?

PS: I still do not know if the Rich panels have any diodes. My research is ongoing.

Thank you for any input you can provide!

For MPPT controller, if you are placing panels in series so the Vmp is moderately above battery voltage there is no problem.

Do not use a 32 or 33 cell panel, single or multiple in parallel if you intend to use an MPPT charger on a four-cell stack 12v LFP battery array. You need at least a 36 cell panel for this, or run two or more 32/33 cell panels in series.

There is roughly 0.45v to 0.5v per cell Vmp contribution depending on panel temp. MPPT controller requires some overhead voltage above battery voltage to work properly. Some of the overhead is for the DC to DC converter, some of the overhead is to allow the controller to search for MPPT point. 32 or 33 cell panel is okay for a PWM controller on 12v battery.

Most MPPT controllers will just drop into PWM mode operation if they cannot establish a reliable MPPT point but panel Voc is still above battery voltage.

For MPPT controller, if you are placing panels in series so the Vmp is moderately above battery voltage there is no problem.

Do not use a 32 or 33 cell panel, single or multiple in parallel if you intend to use an MPPT charger on a four-cell stack 12v LFP battery array. You need at least a 36 cell panel for this, or run two or more 32/33 cell panels in series.

There is roughly 0.45v to 0.5v per cell Vmp contribution depending on panel temp. MPPT controller requires some overhead voltage above battery voltage to work properly. Some of the overhead is for the DC to DC converter, some of the overhead is to allow the controller to search for MPPT point. 32 or 33 cell panel is okay for a PWM controller on 12v battery.

Most MPPT controllers will just drop into PWM mode operation if they cannot establish a reliable MPPT point but panel Voc is still above battery voltage.

Normally I would agree with you, but the panel performance values are almost a perfect match.

Normally I would agree with you, but the panel performance values are almost a perfect match.

You are comparing apples and oranges specs. One is for 25 degs C panel, one is for 47 degs C panel.

33 x 0.564v = 18.6v Vmp for a silicon mono cell is not possible unless cells are held to 20 degs C. The Rich spec claims 25 degs which is not realistic with sun panel heating. Maybe in wintertime cold temps. At 47 degs C, which is still relatively low panel temp with sun panel heating it would be 0.516v x 33 = 17.0v Vmp, not the 18.6v listed in their spec.

Renogy lists 18.6v Vmp for 36 cell panel and their spec is for 47 degs C +/-2 degs. That will have about 0.516v Vmp at 47 degs C x 36 cells is 18.576v which matches their spec pretty well.

Monocrystaline cells
OK... sorry, I have not read all of the above because of time restrictions but I do have some comments.

All so called 12V panels that I am familiar with have an open circuit voltage of about 21-22 VDC and Vmp is usually around 18V.

There are good reasons to wire panels in series and that is to minimize the voltage drop in the wires between the panels and the controller. I strongly recommend the OP avoid the pulse width modulation style controllers. MPP controllers are now affordable and allow putting panels in series. The only caution one needs is to understand the so called safe voltages are those below aobut 45V. Think old systems with 48 VDC huge batteries.

I wired my panels (33v) 2 in parallel in series with another 2 in parallel for my boat. Sure, I can get voltages above 70 but I can also get by with almost no voltage drop in the wiring between my total W panels and my Victron controller with two strings of #10 wire. Thanks for all the helpful replies.

I have an existing lead acid battery bank and believe that my Bogart PWM system was the best system for my lead acid batteries. I am now building a 560 Ah Lifepo4 battery bank and will be installing Victron charging and monitoring components.

Given that Rich solar never replied to my inquiry about whether their 33 cell panels have diodes, and given the uncertainty respecting the actual specifications vs. what Rich Solar advertises, I am going to pursue other alternatives.



Thanks again!

Given that Rich solar never replied to my inquiry about whether their 33 cell panels have diodes, and given the uncertainty respecting the actual specifications vs. what Rich Solar advertises, I am going to pursue other alternatives.

I have 4 Rich 100W poly panels that perform very well. I’m not going to pull one off to pop open the diode/junction box but I’d be shocked if they didn’t have diodes. They play well with 4 WindyNation monocrystaline 100W panels

Can you explain more what you meant by this? Thank you.

The “let-go” voltage of DC maxes out a bit over 50V by ‘definition.’ 40VDC can still kill you but not likely you’ll hold on long enough to do that, though it can burn you.
50VDC isn’t likely to immediately kill you either but it may and is probable it may immobilize you long enough to inflict severe injury- or kill you. 90VDC can shut vital systems down or un-time your heartbeat and may kill you dead on the spot or wack out your body that you collapse dead later or die that night in your sleep.

Is that true all the time? No. Maybe not even close- but the probabilities are a risk factor too great to ignore or take lightly. I can’t remember exactly now (not a joke, it’s just long ago) but 24VDC tingled me once. It was more than a tingle really but I suddenly became more respectful of DC is what I remember.