1. What is a Solar Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the solar power system size needed based on your energy consumption, available sunlight, and system efficiency.

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Solar power needed (kW)
• \( L \) — Daily energy load (kWh)
• \( H \) — Average daily sunlight hours (h)
• \( E \) — System efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The energy load is divided by the product of sunlight hours and system efficiency to determine the required solar power capacity.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate sizing ensures your solar system meets energy demands without oversizing (which increases costs) or undersizing (which reduces effectiveness).

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find my daily energy load?
A: Check your electricity bill for monthly kWh usage and divide by 30, or use an energy monitor for precise measurement.

Q2: What's a typical system efficiency?
A: Most grid-tied systems are 75-85% efficient (0.75-0.85), accounting for inverter losses, wiring, temperature effects, and dirt.

Q3: How do I determine sunlight hours for my location?
A: Use solar insolation maps or tools from NASA/NREL that provide average daily sun hours by location and month.

Q4: Should I include battery storage in this calculation?
A: This calculates the solar array size. For battery sizing, you'll need additional calculations based on autonomy days.

Q5: Does this account for seasonal variations?
A: No, it's based on average daily values. For year-round reliability, size based on your worst-month sunlight hours.