I am frequently asked what a 750 kWp photovoltaic (PV) system or solar power system “approximately” delivers in terms of power output and how many households it can supply.
PV system 750 kWp – open-air system/open-space system – Image: Kletr|Shutterstock.com
Many factors play a role in order to be able to make a reliable statement in the end.
The location for optimal sunlight exposure, the size of a ground-mounted photovoltaic system , and the power output of the solar modules used are particularly important. Generally, solar modules should be oriented southwest to southeast and tilted at an angle of 20 to 40 degrees. It is also crucial to avoid shading from the surrounding area. Brightness and temperature also influence the performance of solar installations.
Open-field plant planning and consulting – Image: Mark Agnor|Shutterstock.com
The examples given here are therefore only a guideline and are intended to help you get a better idea.
Therefore, I always recommend contacting me directly for a detailed analysis and more precise information. I also welcome private individuals whom I can assist through Xpert.Solar, either via the location search on the website or through direct recommendations. I can also support companies in the trade and industry sectors with my consulting services and connect them with suitable partners, from manufacturers to electrical contractors and solar installers.
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How do kWp and kW differ?
Watt peak (from the English word "peak") is a term commonly used in photovoltaics, though not a standardized one, to describe the electrical power output (unit: watt) of solar cells. Multiples such as kilowatt peak, megawatt peak, and gigawatt peak are also common. Abbreviations include Wp, kWp, MWp, and GWp. This unit allows for the comparison of different solar cells and solar modules under standardized test conditions.
Phrases like “The photovoltaic system has a capacity of 10 kWp” or “This is a 1.2 MWp ground-mounted solar power plant” are colloquial. The formally correct formulations would be “The photovoltaic system has a nominal power output of 10 kW according to standard test conditions” or “This is a 1.2 MW ground-mounted solar power plant (nominal power output according to standard test conditions)”.
Kilowatt peak (kWp) is therefore used exclusively for measuring and comparing photovoltaic systems and modules. A solar module delivers different power outputs under varying conditions, such as different ambient temperatures.
The statement "An area of approximately 6 to 10 m² is required per 1 kWp" means that for a desired system output of 1 kW, an area of approximately 6 to 10 m² is required under standard test conditions.
Accordingly, the notation “1 kW” for photovoltaic systems is preferable to the notation “1 kWp”, as adding suffixes to unit symbols is not standard practice.
In short: 1 kWp ≙ 1 kW ≙ 1,000 Wp ≙ 1,000 W
And what is the relationship between kWh and kWp?
Kilowatt hours (kWh) indicate the actual amount of electricity (generated/consumed) per hour, kilowatt peak the possible power output under standard test conditions.
What can 1 kWh do, or rather, what can you do with 1 kWh?
One kWh can, for example, power 7 hours of television, a full washing machine at 60°C, or cook a meal for 4 people. It can also power 1 hour of vacuuming or allow 2,500 men to shave electrically.
Or: Driving an electric car for approximately 6.7 kilometers (based on an average energy consumption of 15 kWh per 100 km).
According to statistics from Stromspiegel, a single-person household consumes an average of 2,300 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.
A two-person household consumes around 3,200 kWh, a three-person household around 3,900 kWh, and a four-person household between 4,500 and 5,000 kWh. These figures can vary depending on individual circumstances.
How many modules are needed for 1 kWp or 1 kW?
As a standard starting point, I currently still use the length and width of a solar module with a module output of 185 Wp and dimensions of 1580 x 808 cm. That's approximately 1.28 m² per module.
185 Wp is, of course, a very conservative estimate. Polycrystalline models can achieve up to 330 Wp nominal power. Monocrystalline modules, on the other hand, now come with up to 400 Wp or even more.
A 750 kWp photovoltaic solar array requires 4,054 solar modules with a nominal output of 185 Wp each. Exactly half that number is needed if solar modules with a nominal output of 370 Wp are used. In this case, only half the area is required. This again illustrates the many factors that need to be considered and why thorough advance planning is highly recommended.
But for the sake of simplicity, let's return to our example:
1,000 Wp / 185 Wp ≙ rounded up to 6 (5.4054…) modules.
Six modules provide an area of 7.68 m².
For 1 kW or kWp, we need the power of 6 modules on an area of 7.68 m² to be able to cook food for 4 people, for example.
On average, 1 kWp delivers 1,000 to 1,200 kWh per year.
How many modules does a 4-person household need throughout the year?
With an annual energy consumption of 5,000 kWh, that would equate to a daily consumption of 13.7 kWh (assuming 365 days a year). That would be 0.57 kWh per hour. But that's not enough to simultaneously cook food, use the television, and all the other electricity needed for everyday tasks.
Therefore, a system size of 6-7 kWp is recommended for a 4-person household: With 6 modules (each with a nominal output of 185 Wp) for 1 kW, this would require 36-42 modules. With 3 modules (each with a nominal output of 370 Wp), this would require 18-21 modules.
Many of the points listed here are only guidelines and usually don't reflect the actual individual circumstances of each person. There are simply too many aspects to consider to provide precise information and planning. This information is only intended to help you better understand the figures and develop a sense of their significance.
How many households can be supplied with a 750 kWp ground-mounted PV system?
A 750 kWp solar park can produce up to 900,000 kWh of electricity per year (1 kWp up to 1200 kWh per year * 750). It's important to know that a 1 kWp photovoltaic system located in Germany can generate an average of about 1200 kWh annually.
Taking into account the different household sizes of 1 to 4 people, up to 230 households can be supplied.
Theoretically, 180 four-person households (900,000 kWh / 5,000 kWh) are possible, 280 two-person households or 230 three-person households.
As mentioned above, using modules with a higher nominal output than 185 Wp allows for more households! For example, with 370 Wp nominal output per module, this would double the number of households. However, it would then no longer be a 750 kWp ground-mounted photovoltaic system , but rather a 1.4 MWp ground-mounted system.
With Xpert.Solar, we offer consulting services for companies planning a photovoltaic system.
What are your advantages?
- A personal contact with individual advice. This also applies to advice and on-site inspections.
- We bring you together with long-standing solar experts and manufacturers in the industry.
- This saves you time searching for suitable experts.
- The consulting services are non-binding for you!
- All services according to your wishes.
- As consultants and solution providers, we are available to answer any questions and problems you may have at any time.
- You have the projects and the areas, we have the solutions. From the assembly system to power storage and inverters to the modules.
- If something doesn't fit, we will develop project-specific special solutions for you.
- If you wish, we can organize your photovoltaic projects and the construction site for you. Whether piling work, frame or module assembly, DC/AC assembly and renovations.
- As your partner, we support you in planning module occupancy, shading calculation, string planning and occupancy as well as in the creation of plans and drawings.
- We help and support everything from soil reports to planning and static calculations.
- Safety is our top priority. An all-round service too. We can do a variety of things for you. Whether soil reports, project statics, snow load reports, acceptance or damage reports.
- Increasingly important: the safety and protection of your solar system. If necessary, we will create a security concept for you.
- We make your life a little easier and give you time.
- We help you and support you in your work.
- We combine quality with effectiveness.
That's why Xpert.Solar offers consulting and planning services for ground-mounted PV systems / open-field installations / solar parks of 750 kWp and more.
Xpert.Solar is a project from Xpert.Digital. We have many years of experience in supporting and advising on storage solutions and in logistics optimization, which we bundle in a large network Xpert.Plus With Xpert.Solar we combine the same know-how in the areas of photovoltaics and renewable energies.
If you wish, you can also access our large market observation and market intelligence data in the form of PDFs. More about that here .
Konrad Wolfenstein
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