1. What is a Solar Panel System Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps homeowners and businesses determine the appropriate solar panel capacity for their energy requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Solar panel system size (watts)
• \( Load \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( H \) — Average daily sunlight hours (hours)
• \( PR \) — Performance ratio (typically 0.75)

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

3. Importance of Solar Panel Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures your solar system meets energy needs while optimizing cost and efficiency.

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 the performance ratio?
A: It accounts for system losses (typically 25%) due to temperature, wiring, inverters, and other factors.

Q2: How do I find my daily energy requirement?
A: Check your electricity bills for kWh usage and multiply by 1000 to get Wh, then divide by 30 for daily average.

Q3: What's a typical sunlight hours value?
A: This varies by location - 5 hours is average for many regions, but check solar maps for your specific area.

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

Q5: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates the solar array size only. Battery requirements depend on your backup needs.