1. What is a Solar Power System Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the required solar power system size based on your daily energy consumption and peak sun hours.

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• System Size — Solar power system capacity (kilowatts)
• Daily kWh — Your average daily energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
• Peak Hours — Average daily peak sunlight hours at your location

Explanation: The daily energy requirement is divided by peak sun hours to determine the solar system size needed to generate that amount of energy.

3. Importance of System Size Calculation

Details: Proper sizing ensures your solar system meets your energy needs while maximizing return on investment and system efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your average daily energy usage in kWh and your location's peak sun hours (default 4.5 hours). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What are typical peak sun hours?
A: Most locations get 3-6 peak sun hours daily (4.5 is a common average), but this varies by location and season.

Q3: Should I add extra capacity?
A: Consider adding 10-20% to account for system inefficiencies, future energy needs, and panel degradation over time.

Q4: Does this include battery storage?
A: No, this calculates grid-tied system size. Battery storage requires additional calculations.

Q5: How does panel efficiency affect this?
A: Higher efficiency panels produce more power in the same space but don't change the total system size needed.