Solar Array Output Calculator

Solar Array Output Calculator

Understanding Your Solar Array's Energy Production

A solar array output calculator helps you estimate the amount of electricity your solar panel system can generate over a specific period. This is a crucial tool for planning, budgeting, and understanding the potential return on investment for a solar installation. The actual output can vary based on numerous factors, but this calculator provides a solid estimate based on key system parameters.

Key Factors Influencing Solar Output:

1. Individual Panel Wattage (Wp): This is the maximum power a single solar panel can produce under ideal test conditions. Higher wattage panels generally mean more power per panel.
2. Number of Panels: The total number of panels in your array directly scales the potential output. More panels mean a larger system and more electricity generation.
3. Average Daily Peak Sun Hours: This is perhaps the most critical environmental factor. Peak sun hours represent the equivalent number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1,000 watts per square meter. It accounts for varying sun intensity throughout the day and year. Locations with more peak sun hours will naturally produce more electricity. You can find average peak sun hours for your specific location through various online resources or solar maps.
4. System Losses (%): No solar system operates at 100% efficiency. Various factors contribute to energy loss, including:
   • Temperature: Panels become less efficient as their temperature rises.
   • Shading: Even partial shading can significantly reduce output.
   • Inverter Efficiency: Inverters convert DC power from panels to AC power for your home, and they have their own efficiency ratings (typically 95-98%).
   • Wiring Losses: Resistance in electrical wiring causes minor energy loss.
   • Dust and Dirt: Accumulation on panels reduces light absorption.
   • Panel Degradation: Panels slowly lose efficiency over their lifespan.
   Typical system losses range from 10% to 25%.
5. Days in Calculation Period: This allows you to calculate output for a day, a month (e.g., 30 or 31 days), or an entire year (365 days).

How to Use the Calculator:

Simply input the values for your proposed or existing solar array into the respective fields. The calculator will then estimate your total energy production in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for the specified period.

Example Calculation:

Let's say you have:

• Individual Panel Wattage: 350 Wp
• Number of Panels: 12
• Average Daily Peak Sun Hours: 5.0 hours
• System Losses: 18%
• Days in Calculation Period: 365 (for annual output)

The calculation would be:

Total Array Wattage = 350 Wp * 12 panels = 4200 Wp

Daily Energy Output (Wh) = 4200 Wp * 5.0 hours * (1 – 18/100) = 4200 * 5.0 * 0.82 = 17,220 Wh

Annual Energy Output (kWh) = (17,220 Wh * 365 days) / 1000 = 6,285.3 kWh

This means your system could produce approximately 6,285.3 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.