1. What is a Solar Estimate Org Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps homeowners and solar professionals determine the appropriate solar panel capacity for specific energy needs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate solar power estimation ensures sufficient energy production, proper system sizing, and cost-effective solar installations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy needs 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 performance ratio?
A: The performance ratio accounts for system losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, and other factors (typically 0.7-0.8).

Q2: How do I find my daily energy requirement?
A: Check your electricity bills for kWh usage and convert to watt-hours (1 kWh = 1000 Wh).

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

Q4: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates the solar array size needed to meet daily energy production.

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