1. What is a Solar Energy and Solar Panels Calculator?

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

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Required solar power (watts)
• \( Load \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( H \) — Average daily sunlight hours
• \( PR \) — Performance ratio (system efficiency factor)

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

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate solar power estimation ensures your system meets energy needs, maximizes efficiency, and provides cost-effective solutions.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical performance ratio?
A: Most residential systems have a PR between 0.70-0.80, accounting for losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, etc.

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

Q3: What sunlight hours should I use?
A: Use your location's average peak sun hours, which accounts for sunlight intensity variations throughout the day.

Q4: How does this relate to number of solar panels?
A: Divide the result by your panel's wattage (e.g., 300W panels) to estimate how many panels you'll need.

Q5: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to account for panel degradation over time and unexpected usage increases.