How many solar panels do your appliances add?

Appliances do not each require a permanently dedicated panel. Their electricity use adds to the home’s total energy target, and the solar array is sized against that combined annual consumption.

At five peak sun hours per day with a 400-watt panel and 20% losses, one panel produces about 584 kWh per year, or roughly 49 kWh per average month. Seasonal timing and instantaneous power demand still matter.

Appliance or load	Watt My Roof planning allowance	Approximate annual equivalent
Refrigerator	55 kWh/month	About 1–2 panels
Washer	12 kWh/month	Less than 1 panel
Electric dryer	75 kWh/month	About 2 panels
Central HVAC	240 kWh/month	About 5 panels
Electric water heater	320 kWh/month	About 7 panels
Electric vehicle	260 kWh/month	About 6 panels
Pool pump	300 kWh/month	About 7 panels

These are planning allowances, not appliance ratings

A label showing watts tells you instantaneous demand. Solar sizing needs energy over time: watts multiplied by operating hours. Climate, household habits, equipment efficiency and fuel type can move these examples sharply.

Solar panels are not the whole off-grid answer

If the goal is backup or off-grid power, panel energy alone is insufficient. You must also size an inverter for simultaneous and startup loads and a battery for the hours you want to operate without sunlight.