Universal Converter Pro

Solar Panel System Calculator

Estimate the size of the solar panel system you need to cover your electricity usage, based on your monthly bill or energy consumption.

Related Energy & Electrical Calculators

How to Use the Solar Panel Calculator

  1. Enter Monthly Bill: Input your average monthly electricity bill amount. This is the most common starting point.
  2. Enter Cost per kWh: Find this on your utility bill. It's the price you pay for one kilowatt-hour of electricity. The national average in the U.S. is around $0.17, but it varies greatly.
  3. Enter Peak Sun Hours: This is the most critical variable. It is *not* the number of daylight hours. It represents the number of hours per day where the sun's intensity is at its peak (1,000 W/m²). You can find this data for your specific location on global solar radiation maps from sources like NREL.
  4. Calculate: The tool will estimate the required DC system size in kilowatts (kW) and the approximate number of standard 400W solar panels you would need.

Understanding Your Solar System Components

A solar energy system is more than just panels. This calculator estimates the core component size, but a full system includes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between an on-grid and off-grid system?

An on-grid (or grid-tied) system is connected to the public electricity grid. Excess power you generate can be sent back to the grid (often for credit, a process called net metering). An off-grid system is completely independent and requires a battery bank to store energy, as there is no connection to the utility grid for backup.

Will this system cover 100% of my needs?

This calculator aims for a 100% offset of your average usage. However, actual production varies based on weather, panel orientation, shading, and panel degradation over time. It's common to oversize a system slightly (by 10-25%) to account for these factors, especially if you plan to add an electric vehicle or more appliances in the future.

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