1. What is a Solar Power System Size Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required solar power system size based on energy needs, sunlight hours, and system performance.

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Solar power system size (watts)
• \( L \) — Energy required (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 solar panel capacity.

3. Importance of Solar System Sizing

Details: Proper sizing ensures adequate power generation, maximizes return on investment, and prevents system over- or under-sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy requirement in watt-hours, average peak 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: The performance ratio accounts for system losses (typically 0.7-0.8) due to temperature, wiring, inverters, and other factors.

Q2: How do I find my energy requirement?
A: Sum the watt-hours of all devices you want to power or check your electricity bill for daily kWh usage (multiply by 1000 for Wh).

Q3: What are typical sunlight hours?
A: This varies by location (3-6 hours in most areas). Check solar maps or local solar data for accurate numbers.

Q4: Should I add a buffer to the calculated size?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to account for panel degradation over time and unexpected increases in energy needs.

Q5: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery storage depends on your needs during non-sunny hours.