1. What is a Solar Panel Production Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the daily energy production of solar panels based on their wattage, available sunlight hours, and system efficiency.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, solar installers, and energy professionals estimate solar panel output for planning and system sizing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Production — Daily energy output (kilowatt-hours)
• Wattage — Panel's rated power output (watts)
• Hours — Peak sunlight hours per day
• Efficiency — System efficiency percentage (including losses)

Explanation: The formula converts raw watt-hours to kilowatt-hours (kWh) while accounting for real-world system inefficiencies.

3. Importance of Solar Production Calculation

Details: Accurate production estimates ensure proper system sizing, financial payback analysis, and energy needs fulfillment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter panel wattage (typically 250-400W), daily sun hours (location-dependent), and system efficiency (default 75%). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical sun hours for my location?
A: Average daily sun hours range from 3-6 in most locations. Check solar maps or local weather data for precise numbers.

Q2: Why is efficiency less than 100%?
A: Efficiency accounts for losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, dirt, and other real-world factors.

Q3: How do I calculate monthly production?
A: Multiply daily production by 30 (or actual days in month) and adjust for seasonal variations.

Q4: What's the difference between panel wattage and actual output?
A: Panel wattage is lab-rated under ideal conditions. Actual output is typically 70-85% of rated wattage due to efficiency losses.

Q5: Does this account for shading or panel orientation?
A: No, these factors should be reflected in your sun hours input or efficiency percentage.