1. What is a Solar Panel Calculator for Homeowners?

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)
• \( H \) — Peak 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 wattage.

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

Q2: What's a typical performance ratio?
A: Most residential systems have PR between 0.70-0.80, accounting for losses in wiring, inverters, etc.

Q3: How do I determine sunlight hours for my location?
A: Use solar maps or local weather data - average is 4-6 hours in most regions.

Q4: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to the calculated power for cloudy days and panel degradation.

Q5: Does this include battery storage calculations?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery requirements depend on nighttime usage and backup needs.