Solar Panel Calculator

Solar Panel Calculator

Enter a few required parameters into the following calculator and estimate the number of panels, solar array dimensions, and area required to install a solar system.

Electricity Consumption

yr ▾

I know my solar hrs per day:

Country:

State(City):

Solar hours per day:

hrs. per day

Bill offset percentage:

Environmental factor:

Your roof area

m² ▾

Area of one panel

cm² ▾

Power output per panel

W ▾

Use the solar panel calculator to estimate the panel size, required panels, and the solar panel array size needed for your home energy usage. With it, you can also calculate the solar power, the efficiency of the panels, and the area required for the installation of the solar panels.

Benefits of Solar Energy — Why Solar?

Solar energy allows you to produce electricity free of any pollution and pure. A huge public is following this modern trend of installing solar panels because of its diverse benefits such as:

Contributes to improving the quality of the air
Produces green energy that lowers your carbon footprints
Allows you to enjoy cheap electricity
If you install net metering, you can also sell extra free solar energy produced which is a benefit
Installing solar panel systems may nullify the chances of any additional tax amounts

How Do I Calculate How Many Solar Panels I Need?

Well, it is indeed very important to know the exact number of solar panels because it helps you to calculate solar power to run the load you want. The number of solar panels you need relies upon the following factors. Let's take a look!

Useable Roof Area
Solar Panel Needs
Solar Panel Size
The Efficiency of Photovoltaic Cells
Solar Panel Wattage

Use the following equation to find the number of panels you need:

$\ Number\ of\ Panels = \dfrac{System\ Size}{Single\ Panel\ Size}$

The size of the system refers to the actual solar power calculations a person may hope to get from the panels. Calculating solar array output with a solar power calculator or the following equations gives you an idea about the units needed to obtain the desired electricity.

$\ Solar\ Array\ Output = \dfrac{Electricity\ Consumption}{365 \times Solar\ Hours\ In\ a\ Day}$

$\ Solar\ Array\ Size = Solar\ Array\ Output \times \left(\dfrac{Bill\ Offset}{Environmental\ Factor}\right)$

Now it is time to calculate the exact panel quantity you need to install on the roof. It can be done by using the following formula:

$\ Required\ Panels = \dfrac{Solar\ Array\ Size \times 1000}{Solar\ Hours\ Per\ Day \times Panel\ Output\ In\ Watts}$

Calculate the area being covered by the number of panels you will install on your roof. This can be done by following the equation below:

$\ Required\ Area = Required\ Panels \times Panel\ Width \times Panel\ Length$

Solar Panel Cost Per Watt:

Today, solar panels are available in different sizes and power ranges. Below we have discussed the prices for various types of solar panels. Let’s have a look at these!

Grid-Tie Solar System Costs:

The prices vary for different types, models, and solar panel dimensions. Whenever you decide to invest, you must check and verify the prices of the panels you wish to buy. This will help you plan a proper investment strategy. A Grid-Tie system means your home is connected to the utility company’s grid. With this, your home electricity consumption will remain the same, but you can cut down your electricity bill. You can also save more by investing in solar batteries.

Off-Grid Solar System Costs:

Off-grid solar panels are considered the most reliable choice for anyone wanting a complete solar system for their house. These systems require a charge controller or inverter to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), allowing you to power your household electronic devices.

Solar Panel Installation Costs:

Solar panel installation costs range approximately from $0.75 to $1.25 per watt. Using a solar panel cost calculator, you can easily estimate the total cost that you would need to pay as a lump sum.

FAQ’s:

How To Figure Out Your Average Sun Hours Per Day?

Different parts of a country receive varying amounts of sunlight each day. To determine the average solar hours in your location, identify the peak sun hours. Peak sun hours refer to the time during which sunlight provides 1000 watts per square meter. In most parts of the United States, you can expect around six peak sun hours per day. For more precise information, refer to an insolation map or use an insolation meter.

How Many kWh Can 1 Solar Panel Produce?

On average, a single solar panel produces between 170 and 350 watts per hour. The actual output depends on the panel’s efficiency, which varies with climatic conditions such as extreme heat or cold.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need For 1000 kWh Per Month?

To achieve an output of 1000 kWh per month, you would typically need 24 to 25 solar panels.