1. What is a Solar System Size Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required size of a solar power system based on your daily energy consumption, available sunlight hours, and system efficiency.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and businesses determine the appropriate solar panel system size needed to meet their energy requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Size} \) — Solar system size (kilowatts)
• \( \text{Daily Load} \) — Daily energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
• \( \text{Hours} \) — Average daily peak sunlight hours
• \( \text{Efficiency} \) — System efficiency factor (0-1)

Explanation: The daily energy requirement is divided by the product of sunlight hours and system efficiency to determine the required system size.

3. Importance of Proper Sizing

Details: Correct solar system sizing ensures optimal energy production, maximizes return on investment, and prevents over- or under-sizing of the system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy consumption in kWh, average sunlight hours (default 5), and system efficiency (default 0.75). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find my daily energy consumption?
A: Check your electricity bills for monthly kWh usage and divide by 30, or use an energy monitor to track daily usage.

Q2: What are typical sunlight hours?
A: This varies by location (3-6 hours in most areas). Check solar maps or local weather data for accurate numbers.

Q3: What affects system efficiency?
A: Factors include panel quality (17-22%), inverter efficiency (95-98%), temperature, shading, and wiring losses.

Q4: Should I round up the calculated size?
A: Yes, solar systems typically come in standard sizes, so round up to the nearest available system size.

Q5: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates grid-tied system size. For off-grid systems, you'll need additional calculations for battery storage.