1. What is Solar Panel Watts Calculation?

The solar panel watts calculation determines the wattage of solar panels needed to meet your daily energy consumption based on available sunlight and system efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( Consumption \) — Daily energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• \( Sun\ Hours \) — Average peak sunlight hours per day at your location
• \( Efficiency \) — System efficiency factor (typically 0.75 for most systems)

Explanation: The equation accounts for your energy needs and divides by the available solar energy (sun hours) adjusted for system losses (efficiency).

3. Importance of Solar Panel Sizing

Details: Properly sizing your solar panel system is crucial for meeting energy needs without over-investing in unnecessary capacity. It helps balance cost and performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your daily energy consumption in kWh, average sun hours for your location, and system efficiency (default is 0.75). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find my sun hours?
A: Check solar insolation maps or consult local solar installation companies for average peak sun hours in your area.

Q2: What's a typical efficiency value?
A: Most systems use 0.75 (75%) to account for losses from temperature, wiring, inverters, and dirt on panels.

Q3: Should I add a buffer to the calculated watts?
A: Yes, it's recommended to add 10-25% to account for future needs and less-than-ideal conditions.

Q4: Does this account for battery storage?
A: No, this calculates the solar panel size needed to meet daily consumption. Battery systems require additional calculations.

Q5: How does panel orientation affect this?
A: The sun hours should reflect your actual panel orientation (south-facing in northern hemisphere typically gets most sun).