Solar power is one of the most abundant and renewable energy sources available today. By installing solar panels on your home, you can generate your own electricity from sunlight and significantly reduce your energy bills. A 6.5-kilowatt (kW) solar system is a popular choice for many homeowners looking to go solar. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore key details about 6.5 kW solar panels to help you determine if this system size is right for your needs.
What is a 6.5-kW solar panel system?
A 6.5 kW solar panel system has a power generation capacity of 6,500 watts. This means that under ideal conditions, the solar panels can produce 6.5 kWh of electricity per hour. Over the course of a day, a 6.5-kW system can generate around 26 kWh on average.
The system is usually comprised of 20–25 solar panels, each with a power rating between 250 and 325 watts. By connecting multiple solar panels together into an array, you can increase the overall power output to meet your household’s electricity consumption.
6.5 kW is considered an ideal system size for many homes, offsetting a majority of your electric usage from the utility grid. The actual output will vary throughout the year depending on your local climate conditions.
How Much Power Do 6.5 kW Solar Panels Produce?
While the rated capacity of a 6.5 kW solar system is 6,500 watts, the actual electricity production largely depends on the amount of sunlight available. Solar panels cannot operate at night and produce less energy on cloudy or rainy days.
As a general estimate, most solar experts calculate solar production based on the peak sun hours for a given area. Peak sun hours refer to the equivalent number of direct sunlight hours in a day.
Across most of the United States, peak sun hours average 3.5 to 5 hours. This means a 6.5 kW solar array can realistically generate around 22 kWh to 33 kWh per day. Seasonal weather variation can increase or decrease output by 20%, according to these figures.
To determine the projected production for your specific location and installation parameters, consult with a reputable solar installer. They can assess on-site conditions and model estimated solar production.
What Factors Affect Power Output?
Many variables beyond just sunlight availability impact how much electricity a 6.5 kW solar panel system creates:
Solar Panel Efficiency – Panels with higher efficiency ratings convert a greater percentage of sunlight into usable energy. Look for monocrystalline or premium polycrystalline solar panels.
Panel Orientation – Solar panels produce the most energy when pointed directly at the sun. Optimal orientation is true south in the northern hemisphere.
Roof Pitch & Shading – An angled roof pitched towards the south avoids shading and maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout the day.
Local Weather & Climate – Cooler climates receive fewer peak sunlight hours than hot, arid environments like deserts.
Air Pollution & Dust: Smog, pollution, bird droppings, pollen, and dust accumulating on your solar panels will diminish their output.
Regular maintenance and cleaning can help counteract some of these output losses over time. Overall, a 6.5 kW solar system situated in an optimal location can reliably generate 20-30 kWh daily.
What Does a 6.5 kW Solar Panel System Cost?
The installation price of solar panels has dropped substantially in recent years, making it more affordable than ever for homeowners to adopt solar energy. For a 6.5 kW solar system, the average cost is $17,700–$23,600 before accounting for any incentives or solar tax credits.
This equals $2.75 to $3.50 per watt for the full equipment and installation costs. The final price varies across different markets, equipment bundles, and installer pricing.
After claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit, most homeowners can expect to pay $12,390–$16,520 for their 6.5 kW system. Additional state or utility rebates and incentives can reduce the out-of-pocket costs even further.
While solar panels involve a significant upfront investment, electricity savings and surplus energy credits can deliver a payback within 5-7 years in many areas. Contact our solar advisors for help assessing the costs and savings potential of solar for your property.
Can a 6.5 kW system power an electric vehicle?
One of the major perks of generating your own solar energy is powering an electric vehicle (EV) with clean, renewable electricity. For most EV owners, Level 1 charging by plugging the vehicle into a standard 120V outlet provides sufficient range overnight.
Based on approximate EV charging energy consumption rates, a 6.5 kW solar array can deliver roughly 22 miles (35 km) of EV driving distance per day. This aligns well with the average daily commute length for many motorists.
Of course, faster Level 2 EV charging requires more instantaneous power. Limited daylight hours also mean solar panels cannot directly charge an EV at night. This makes the grid an important supplemental energy source for on-the-go charging and long trips.
However, a properly-sized 6.5 kW solar system still allows you to do the majority of EV charging at home using self-generated sunlight. And by timing this charging to occur midday, when solar production peaks, you can maximize the use of clean energy and minimize grid dependence.
Why Choose Solar Exporters for Your 6.5 kW Solar Panels?
Solar Exporters proudly manufactures high-quality solar panels and complete PV system kits for both homes and businesses. With over 12 years of solar experience, our experienced engineering team can help you design and install an efficient 6.5 kW solar panel system tailored to your energy usage and regional solar potential.
We stand behind our products with industry-leading warranties, and our customers rave about our exceptional service and support. All of our solar equipment meets the most stringent certification standards for safety, reliability, and environmental sustainability.
Contact us today for a free solar consultation or quote. We can answer any questions about 6.5 kW solar panels and determine if this popular system size makes sense for powering your property. Take control over your energy costs and let Solar Exporters help you harness the abundant power of the sun!