1. What is a Solar Energy Usage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines what percentage of your total energy consumption is covered by solar energy generation.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and businesses understand how much of their energy needs are being met by solar power.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Usage Covered — Percentage of energy needs met by solar
• Generated — Solar energy produced (in kilowatt-hours)
• Total Usage — Total energy consumed (in kilowatt-hours)

Explanation: The ratio of solar generation to total consumption shows what portion of your energy comes from solar.

3. Importance of Solar Usage Calculation

Details: Knowing your solar coverage percentage helps evaluate system performance, estimate savings, and plan for energy needs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your solar system's total generation and your household/business's total energy consumption for the same period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a good usage covered percentage?
A: 70-100% is excellent for offsetting costs. Less than 30% suggests your system may be undersized for your needs.

Q2: Should the time periods match?
A: Yes, compare generation and usage for identical time periods (e.g., monthly or yearly).

Q3: What if my usage covered exceeds 100%?
A: This means you're generating more than you use - the excess may be fed back to the grid (net metering).

Q4: Where do I find these numbers?
A: Check your solar inverter monitoring and utility bills for accurate data.

Q5: Does this account for battery storage?
A: No, this calculates direct usage. For battery systems, additional calculations are needed.