1. What is a Panel Solar Size Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps homeowners and solar installers determine the appropriate solar panel size for specific energy requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The energy load is divided by the product of sunlight hours and performance ratio to determine the panel size needed.

3. Importance of Solar Panel Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures your solar system meets energy needs without overspending on unnecessary capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine my energy load?
A: Calculate your daily kWh usage from utility bills and multiply by 1000 to get watt-hours.

Q2: What are typical sunlight hours?
A: Varies by location (3-6 hours in most areas). Check solar maps for your region.

Q3: What affects the performance ratio?
A: Factors like temperature, shading, wiring losses, and inverter efficiency (typically 0.7-0.8).

Q4: Should I round up the panel size?
A: Yes, round up to the nearest standard panel size and consider adding 10-20% for future needs.

Q5: Does this account for battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery requirements need separate calculation.