1. What is a Solar Power Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps homeowners 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)

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 without oversizing (which increases costs) or undersizing (which leads to power shortages).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy needs in Wh, average sunlight hours (default 5), and performance ratio (default 0.75). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How do I find my daily energy requirement?
A: Sum the watt-hours of all devices you'll power. For appliances, multiply wattage by hours used per day.

Q3: What are typical sunlight hours?
A: Varies by location (3-6 hours in most areas). Check solar maps for your region's average.

Q4: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated power for cloudy days and system aging.

Q5: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery sizing depends on your autonomy requirements.