1. What is a Whole House Solar Power System Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the solar power system size needed to meet a household's energy requirements based on sunlight availability and system performance.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and solar installers determine the appropriate solar panel system size for residential energy needs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Required solar power (watts)
• \( Load \) — Daily energy requirement (watt-hours)
• \( H \) — Average daily sunlight hours
• \( PR \) — System performance ratio (0-1)

Explanation: The energy load is divided by the product of sunlight hours and performance ratio to determine the solar panel wattage needed.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate sizing ensures your solar system meets energy needs without over-investing in unnecessary capacity, optimizing both performance and cost.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy requirement in Wh, 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 determine my daily energy load?
A: Check your electricity bills for kWh usage and multiply by 1000 to get Wh, or use an energy audit tool.

Q2: What's a typical performance ratio?
A: Most residential systems have PR between 0.7-0.8, accounting for losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, etc.

Q3: How do sunlight hours vary by location?
A: Sunlight hours range from 3-4 in northern areas to 6+ in sunbelt regions. Check solar maps for your location.

Q4: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel requirements. Battery sizing depends on your backup needs during non-sunny hours.

Q5: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Yes, consider adding 10-20% to account for panel degradation over time and unusually cloudy periods.