1. What is a Solar Panel Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the number of solar panels needed based on energy requirements, panel specifications, and local sunlight conditions.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, businesses, and solar installers determine how many panels are required to meet specific energy needs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Number} \) — Number of solar panels needed (unitless)
• \( \text{Load} \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( P_{\text{per panel}} \) — Rated power of each panel (watts)
• \( H \) — Average daily sunlight hours (hours)
• \( PR \) — System performance ratio (decimal, typically 0.75)

Explanation: The energy requirement is divided by the expected daily production of one panel (considering sunlight hours and system efficiency).

3. Importance of Solar Panel Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation ensures your solar system meets energy needs without over- or under-investing in equipment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy needs in Wh, panel wattage (default 300W), local 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 (inverter efficiency, wiring, temperature, etc.). 0.75 means 25% of energy is lost in the system.

Q2: How do I find my daily energy requirement?
A: Check your electricity bill for monthly kWh usage, then divide by 30 and multiply by 1000 to get Wh/day.

Q3: What's a typical sunlight hours value?
A: Varies by location. US average is 4-6 hours. Check solar maps for your area.

Q4: Should I round up the result?
A: Yes, the calculator automatically rounds up since you can't install a fraction of a panel.

Q5: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel requirements only. Battery sizing requires additional calculations.