1. What is Solar Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the solar power system size needed based on your energy requirements, available sunlight, and system performance.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, businesses, and solar installers determine the appropriate solar panel capacity for a given energy need.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Solar power needed (watts)
• \( Load \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( H \) — Peak sunlight hours per day
• \( PR \) — Performance ratio (system efficiency factor)

Explanation: The energy requirement is divided by the product of sunlight hours and performance ratio to determine the required solar panel capacity.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate solar power estimation ensures your system meets energy needs, avoids oversizing (which increases costs), and helps with proper system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy consumption in Wh, average sunlight hours for your location, and performance ratio (default 0.75). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is performance ratio?
A: It accounts for system losses (typically 0.7-0.8) due to temperature, wiring, inverters, dirt, and other factors.

Q2: How do I find my sunlight hours?
A: Use solar maps or databases for your location (typically 3-6 hours in most regions).

Q3: What if my energy needs vary?
A: Use your highest daily consumption or average with a safety margin (e.g., +20%).

Q4: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery sizing requires additional calculations.

Q5: How do I convert kWh to Wh?
A: Multiply kWh by 1000 (1 kWh = 1000 Wh).