Folks - I am eager to educate myself on the choices of solar panels. To my mind there are several choices of product available. 
To ask some open  questions - what are the most popular panel as used by installers and DIY enthusiasts? 
Is there a minimum amount of panels one could deploy? Are there some resources available which guide one for doing the install correctly? 
with best regards 

Vaughan

 

Would appreciate some inputs on the request 

The answer:

Yes, the string indeed has a length.

Your question is completely open and does not have enough background information to provide any meaningful answers. Perhaps be a bit more specific.

But how long is a piece of string?

I think the best place to start is with the spec sheet of the inverter you intend to use, and what you're trying to achieve.

Consider the maximum power, voltage and current input requirements for whatever number of solar MPPTs are on your inverter of choice, maybe also the amount of roof space you've got and the orientation of that roof space, and while you're at it the minimum startup voltage and operating voltage for your inverter. That will help guide you to the optimum choice of panel and string layout for your scenario.

If you're starting off with a micro-inverter your minimum number of panels could be as low as 1.

But if you're fitting an inverter as a UPS, then that begs the question of whether you need a string at all.

 

A short answer to the OP. If the load is like LED lights during LS and the inverter is 12V you can use a single panel with the right solar controller charging a single battery. The inverter can be with/without a AC charger or solar panel.