Solar panels use a renewable and clean source of energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to hydrocarbon-sourced energy. As we enter 2025, photovoltaic (PV) technology has become more efficient, affordable, and accessible than ever. At a high level, solar panels are made up of solar cells, which absorb sunlight. They use this sunlight to create direct current (DC) electricity through a process called "the photovoltaic effect. Many homeowners make costly mistakes by oversizing or undersizing their solar installations, leading to either wasted money or insufficient energy production. These electrons flow through a circuit and produce direct current. It is important to know how many solar panels you need, as this will enable you to optimise the initial investment whilst taking advantage of the savings in electricity. Here's how to calculate how many solar panels you need.