1. What is a Solar Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the daily energy production (in kilowatt-hours) of a solar panel system based on the number of panels, their wattage, and daily sun hours.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and solar installers estimate potential energy production for solar panel systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( kWh \) — Energy production (kilowatt-hours)
• \( Panels \) — Number of solar panels
• \( Wattage \) — Power rating of each panel (watts)
• \( Hours \) — Average daily sunlight hours

Explanation: The formula calculates total watt-hours produced and converts to kilowatt-hours (kWh) by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of Solar Production Calculation

Details: Accurate energy production estimates help determine system sizing, return on investment, and energy savings potential.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of panels, panel wattage (default 300W), and average daily sun hours (default 4.5). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical panel wattage?
A: Most residential panels range from 250-400 watts, with 300W being common for standard installations.

Q2: How do I find my daily sun hours?
A: Check solar insolation maps for your location or use tools like PVWatts from NREL.

Q3: Does this account for system losses?
A: No, actual production will be about 10-20% less due to temperature, wiring, and inverter losses.

Q4: Can I calculate monthly production?
A: Multiply daily kWh by 30 for a rough monthly estimate, or use monthly sun hour averages.

Q5: What affects solar panel output?
A: Panel orientation, tilt angle, shading, temperature, and panel degradation over time.