1. What is a Solar Panel Electricity Generation Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the daily electricity output of solar panels based on their power rating, available sunlight, and system performance.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, solar installers, and energy professionals estimate solar panel production for planning and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E \) — Electricity generation (kWh)
• \( P \) — Panel power rating (kW)
• \( H \) — Daily sunlight hours (hours)
• \( PR \) — Performance ratio (decimal, typically 0.75)

Explanation: The panel's rated power is multiplied by sunlight hours and adjusted for real-world performance factors.

3. Importance of Solar Production Calculation

Details: Accurate production estimates are crucial for system sizing, financial analysis, and energy planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the panel's power rating in kW, average daily sunlight hours, and performance ratio (default 0.75). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the performance ratio?
A: It accounts for system losses (inverter efficiency, temperature, wiring, etc.). 0.75 is typical for residential systems.

Q2: How do I find daily sunlight hours?
A: Use solar maps or databases like NREL's PVWatts for your location's averages.

Q3: Should I use panel's nameplate rating or actual output?
A: Use the nameplate (STC) rating - the performance ratio accounts for real-world output differences.

Q4: Is this for daily or annual production?
A: This calculates daily production. Multiply by 365 for annual estimates (adjust for seasonal variations).

Q5: Does this include battery storage losses?
A: No, this calculates panel output before any storage system. Battery efficiency would be additional.