1. What is a Solar Panel Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the power output of a solar panel system based on its physical characteristics and environmental conditions.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, engineers, and solar installers determine the potential energy production of solar panel systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power output (watts)
• \( A \) — Solar panel area (square meters)
• \( r \) — Solar panel efficiency (decimal)
• \( H \) — Solar irradiation (watts per square meter)
• \( PR \) — Performance ratio (decimal, typically 0.75)

Explanation: The formula calculates the theoretical power output by considering panel size, efficiency, sunlight intensity, and system losses.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power estimation helps in system sizing, energy production forecasting, and return on investment calculations for solar installations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the panel area in m², efficiency (default 0.18 for 18%), irradiation (default 1000 W/m² for full sun), and performance ratio (default 0.75). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is solar panel efficiency?
A: Efficiency measures how much sunlight is converted to electricity. Typical values range from 15-22% for commercial panels.

Q2: What's standard solar irradiation?
A: 1000 W/m² represents peak sunlight conditions. Actual values vary by location and time of day/year.

Q3: What affects performance ratio?
A: Factors like temperature, wiring losses, inverter efficiency, and soiling reduce the performance ratio below 1.0.

Q4: How do I find my panel area?
A: Multiply panel length by width (in meters). Standard residential panels are about 1.6m × 1m = 1.6m².

Q5: Does this calculate daily energy production?
A: No, this gives instantaneous power. For daily energy, multiply by peak sun hours in your location.