1. What is a Solar Panel Calculator for Home Use?

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

Purpose: It helps homeowners determine the appropriate solar panel size for their energy requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Solar panel power (watts)
• \( Load \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( H \) — Average 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 needed panel power.

3. Importance of Solar Panel Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures your solar system meets energy needs without over-investing in unnecessary capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy needs in Wh (check utility bills), 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 find my daily energy requirement?
A: Check your electricity bills for monthly kWh usage, divide by 30, then multiply by 1000 to get Wh.

Q2: What's a typical performance ratio?
A: Most home systems have PR between 0.7-0.8, accounting for losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, etc.

Q3: How do I determine sunlight hours for my location?
A: Use solar maps or local meteorological data. 5 hours is a reasonable default for many locations.

Q4: Should I round up the calculated power?
A: Yes, it's recommended to round up to the nearest standard panel size and add 10-20% for margin.

Q5: Does this account for battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. For off-grid systems, you'll need additional battery calculations.