Roofs in the Netherlands come in all shapes and sizes: flat, sloped, with or without dormers, with or without green roofing, featuring chimneys, skylights, ventilation pipes, or even full air conditioning units—the variety is endless. At Zonnefabriek, we aim to turn every roof into its own solar power station, making the Netherlands greener, more sustainable, and energy-independent. Our advisors are happy to help you maximize your roof’s energy potential, but when it comes to that, the size of the solar panels plays a crucial role.
Standard Solar Panel Dimensions
The vast majority of solar panels on the market today share the same dimensions: 1.65 - 1.75 meters in length and approximately 1 meter in width. The reason for this uniformity is that most panels are constructed in the same way: six rows of ten or twelve interconnected solar cells arranged in a zigzag pattern. This standardization allows manufacturers to optimize and scale up their production processes for all the individual components of a solar panel. Thanks to this, the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically over time.
Non-Standard Solar Panel Sizes
Solar panels with six rows of ten solar cells are known as 60-cell panels. However, there are also 72-cell panels, which consist of six rows of twelve solar cells, leading to slightly different dimensions. SunPower panels, designed to generate maximum power in minimal space, contain as many as 96 or even 104 cells, arranged in eight rows of twelve or thirteen. The newest MAX3 panels even have 112 cells in them. As a result, SunPower panels also have unique dimensions compared to standard panels.
Thin-film solar panels, which do not consist of individual solar cells, can have entirely different sizes. They are often longer and narrower than conventional crystalline solar panels. In theory, thin-film panels can be manufactured in a wide range of sizes, but in practice, they follow certain standardized dimensions to benefit from mass production efficiencies.
Some people look for very specific solar panel sizes or even non-rectangular shapes to make use of every possible space on their roof. While custom shapes and sizes are technically possible, we’ve noticed that these specialized panels come at a much higher price. Producing less common shapes and sizes requires specialized manufacturing processes, which naturally drive up costs.
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60, 72, or 96 cells?
Solar panels with six rows of ten solar cells are known as 60-cell panels. However, there are also 72-cell panels, which consist of six rows of twelve solar cells, leading to slightly different dimensions. SunPower panels, designed to generate maximum power in minimal space, contain as many as 96 or even 104 cells, arranged in eight rows of twelve or thirteen. The newest MAX3 panels even have 112 cells in them. As a result, SunPower panels also have unique dimensions compared to standard panels.
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Thin-film solar panels
Thin-film solar panels, which do not consist of individual solar cells, can have entirely different sizes. They are often longer and narrower than conventional crystalline solar panels. In theory, thin-film panels can be manufactured in a wide range of sizes, but in practice, they follow certain standardized dimensions to benefit from mass production efficiencies.
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Custom Shapes
Some people look for very specific solar panel sizes or even non-rectangular shapes to make use of every possible space on their roof. While custom shapes and sizes are technically possible, we’ve noticed that these specialized panels come at a much higher price. Producing less common shapes and sizes requires specialized manufacturing processes, which naturally drive up costs.
Changing Thickness
Besides length and width, solar panels can also vary in thickness. Over time, improvements in materials—such as panel frames and glass sheets—have made it possible to produce thinner panels without compromising strength. Older 245 Wp panels, for example, are slightly thicker than newer 255 Wp models. This can sometimes cause issues when replacing a damaged panel—will the new one fit within the clamps of the old system?
Thin-film panels, as their name suggests, are generally thinner than crystalline panels. One of their biggest advantages is that they are made from lightweight materials, allowing them to maintain durability even with a reduced thickness.
What Fits on Your Roof?
To quickly determine how many solar panels can fit on your roof, try our calculation tool. It will estimate the optimal number of panels for your specific situation.
How Big Are Solar Panels?
The size of a solar panel is a key factor in determining how many panels can be installed on your roof. Solar panels with photovoltaic cells typically have fixed dimensions that depend on their power capacity.
An Overview of Solar Panel Sizes
To give you a clear idea of what’s possible, we’ve compiled a table with the dimensions of the most common solar panels. Zonnefabriek offers a selection of these panels as part of its standard portfolio, but if you’re looking for something specific, we’re happy to help you find the right fit.
| Panel type | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SunPower MAX3 series |
1812 | 1046 | 40 |
|
SunPower MAX2 series |
1690 | 1046 | 40 |
| SunPower E & X series (96 cellen) |
1559 | 1046 | 46 |
|
Hanwha Q.cells Q.TRON BLK M-G52 +425 |
1722 | 1134 | 30 |
|
Hanwha Q.cells Q-PEAK DUO G5 325 & 315 BLK |
1685 | 1000 | 32 |
| Standard 60 cels panel, such as: Hanwha Q.cells 275 Wp or Trina 255 Wp |
1650-1750 | 1000 (some brands: 990) | 32 - 35 |
| Thin-film panel by SolarFrontier (no longer available) | 1257 | 977 | 35 |
