1. What is a Solar Panel Wattage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the solar panel wattage needed based on your electrical load, usage hours, and available solar hours.

Purpose: It helps determine the appropriate solar panel size for off-grid systems or solar-powered applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Required solar panel wattage (watts)
• \( L \) — Electrical load (watts)
• \( H \) — Hours of usage per day (hours)
• \( S \) — Peak solar hours per day (hours)

Explanation: The total daily energy requirement (load × hours) is divided by peak solar hours to determine the needed panel wattage.

3. Importance of Solar Wattage Calculation

Details: Proper sizing ensures your solar system can meet energy demands while avoiding overspending on unnecessary capacity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your device's wattage, daily usage hours, and local peak solar hours (default 5h). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are peak solar hours?
A: The equivalent hours of full sunlight your location receives daily (typically 3-6 hours depending on location and season).

Q2: Should I add a safety margin?
A: Yes, we recommend adding 20-30% to account for inefficiencies and cloudy days.

Q3: How do I find my device's wattage?
A: Check the device label or manual, or use a watt meter to measure actual consumption.

Q4: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates panel size only. Battery capacity should be calculated separately based on your needs.

Q5: What if I have multiple devices?
A: Calculate each device separately and sum the results, or sum all loads and use total usage hours.