Solar Panel Sizes and Dimensions in the UK (2026 Datasheet Table)
Updated 30 October 2026 · SEO-DONS LTD
Panel size decides two practical things: how many panels fit on your roof, and how much capacity you can install in the space you have. This guide takes the dimensions straight from manufacturers’ datasheets, so you can check the panels on your own quote the same way. For the performance side (efficiency, heat loss and warranties) see best solar panels in the UK.
Solar panel dimensions from three datasheets
| Panel | Dimensions (L × W × D) | Area per panel | Weight | Power range | Where it says it is made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REC Alpha Pure-RX | 1728 × 1205 × 30 mm | 2.08 m² | 22.7 kg | 450–470 W | Singapore (datasheet) |
| AIKO Neostar 2P (AIKO-A-MAH60Mw) | 1954 × 1134 × 30 mm | 2.22 m² | 23.1 kg | 500–525 W | China (datasheet) |
| LONGi Hi-MO X10 Explorer (LR7-54HVH) | 1800 × 1134 × 30 mm | 2.04 m² | about 21.6 kg | 475–490 W (variant) | not stated in the listing we read |
The REC and AIKO rows come from the manufacturers’ datasheets. The LONGi row comes from a distributor listing for the LR7-54HVH, because we could not open LONGi’s own datasheet; treat its weight as approximate. Read 30 October 2026.
Two things stand out. First, panel widths have settled around 1.13 to 1.2 metres, so lengths vary more than widths. Second, weight per panel is similar across all three, at 21.6 to 23.1 kg.
How many panels for a typical home?
The Energy Saving Trust says typical home systems are about 4.5 kWp. Here is the arithmetic for each panel, rounding up to the next whole panel. It is illustrative only: the real number depends on your roof’s shape, obstructions and the clearances your installer must leave.
| Panel (top wattage) | Panels for at least 4.5 kWp | System size | Panel area |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC Alpha Pure-RX 470 W | 10 | 4.70 kWp | about 20.8 m² |
| AIKO Neostar 2P 525 W | 9 | 4.73 kWp | about 20.0 m² |
| LONGi Hi-MO X10 490 W | 10 | 4.90 kWp | about 20.4 m² |
The higher-wattage panel needs one fewer panel here, but the total roof area is similar, because a bigger panel is physically bigger. Efficiency, not wattage, decides how much power you get from each square metre.
Why panel size matters on a UK roof
- Roof shape. UK roofs are often split by chimneys, dormers and valleys. Shorter panels can fill a narrow strip that a long panel cannot, so the “best” size depends on the layout drawing.
- Portrait or landscape. Panels can usually be laid either way; a different orientation can add a row.
- Clearances. Installers leave space at the roof edges and ridge. That is why two quotes for the same roof can show different panel counts.
- Weight. At 21.6 to 23.1 kg per panel plus rails, the survey should confirm the roof can take the load, especially on older roofs.
Depth, height and planning
All three panels are 30 mm deep. Depth is rarely what matters for planning: the mounting rails lift panels off the tiles. In England, roof panels on a house are permitted development only if they protrude no more than 0.2 metres beyond the roof slope and sit no higher than the highest part of the roof, excluding the chimney. Listed buildings are excluded. See solar panel planning permission for the full limits.
Bigger panel or more efficient panel?
A 525 W panel is not “better” than a 470 W one just because the number is bigger; it is larger. Compare efficiency instead: the share of sunlight each square metre turns into electricity. On a small or awkward roof, a more efficient panel gets you more capacity in the same space. On a large, unshaded south roof, price per watt and the warranty usually matter more. Our panel types guide explains why back-contact panels such as AIKO’s sit at the top of the efficiency range.
What to check on your quote
- The exact panel model number, so you can download its datasheet.
- The number of panels and a layout drawing showing where they go.
- The system size in kWp, and the generation estimate for your roof in kWh a year.
- That the design keeps within the planning limits, or that any permission is settled first.
Use the solar quotes checklist to compare quotes line by line. If you want a second look at the panels on a quote, send us the details through the form: your enquiry comes to SEO-DONS LTD and we reply by email.
Sources: REC Alpha Pure-RX datasheet; AIKO Neostar 2P datasheet (DS_EN_2405_V1.1); LONGi LR7-54HVH distributor listing; Energy Saving Trust solar panels advice; legislation.gov.uk GPDO 2015 Sch. 2 Part 14 Class A. Read 30 October 2026.