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The Ultimate Guide To Solar Panel Calculation
The Ultimate Guide To Solar Panel Calculation
The Ultimate Guide To Solar Panel Calculation
Solar power is a sustainable energy solution, and the goal is to make the most out of it and reduce dependence on the electrical grid.
While switching to solar energy seems easy, calculating the number of solar power panels required can be challenging.
During solar panel calculation, there are a variety of factors that you need to keep in mind. These include geographic location, home
energy usage, number of sun's peak hours, etc.
If you live in a location that receives few peak hours of sunlight, consider purchasing Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels with a high
conversion rate. These solar panels can convert most solar energy to usable electricity.
But before you purchase solar panels for your power needs, read this guide. This guide will help you calculate the load wattage, power
output, energy usage, backup time, etc., of the solar panels, so you make the best choice.
A solar panel (also called a photovoltaic cell or PV panel) is a device that converts the sun's energy into electricity. The energy
generated is then used to charge power stations, which power all your electrical appliances.
Solar panels consist of individual solar cells composed of silicon, phosphorus, and boron. When photons from the sun's energy strike
the surface of a solar panel, they knock out the electrons to create a directional current.
DC current directly transfers from the solar panels to the power station, where the inverter converts it to AC electricity. Using the
combination of power stations and solar panels, you can quickly charge electrical appliances at home or during outdoor adventures
when you are away from the electrical grid.
Clean & Green Energy:Solar panels do not emit toxic fumes while converting the sun's energy into electricity. Hence, they are a
clean, green energy source that reduces your carbon footprint.
Zero Maintenance:Solar power panels are easy to clean and maintain. All you need to do is wipe the dust off with a soft, clean cloth
to improve its efficiency.
Safe:Unlike gas generators, solar panels do not require coal or gas to generate electricity. Hence, they are pretty safe for indoor use.
Reduces High Electricity Bills:You can power all your home appliances with solar panels and a portable power station. Thus,
renewable energy helps reduce high electricity bills and save money.
Eco-friendly:Solar panels reduce the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc., into the
atmosphere, making them an environment-friendly power solution.
Solar Panel Calculation
There is no single accurate answer to how many solar panels a home needs. Every home is different, and so are its power needs. Using
a solar panel calculator and understanding various variables gives an accurate estimate of how many panels you'll require. Some
essential factors you'll need to consider are load wattage, energy usage, solar panel backup time, efficiency, etc. Let us discuss each
aspect in detail.
Solar Panel Output Calculation
Generally, solar panels produce a few hundred watts to 400 watts per hour. However, there are several external variables that affect
the actual output of the panels.
Some important factors include how many hours of sunlight the solar panels receive, your location, and how many watts your panels
can produce in an hour.
Formula:
To help you understand better, here is the mathematical solar panel calculation of daily watt-hours.
Daily watt hours = Average hours of sunlight × solar panel watts × 85%.
(As not all the sunlight is converted into electricity, we tested to determine that the Jackery solar panels are 85% efficient.)
Example:
Suppose you live in an area that receives 4 hours of peak sunlight, and your panel has a 200-watt rating. In this case, the solar panel
output will be:
That means one solar panel with a 200-watt capacity can produce around 680 Wh, depending on its efficiency.
For instance, if you purchase Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels, you can enjoy a high conversion rate and efficiency. Along with
the portable power station, these solar panels can convert sunlight into electricity and power appliances.
Load Wattage Calculation
The load wattage is the next important thing you'll need to keep in mind while buying a solar panel system. In simple words, load
wattage involves analyzing your power requirements by understanding how many appliances you wish to charge and for how much
time.
Formula:
To calculate the total load wattage of the electrical appliances, you need to multiply the power used by each device by the number of
usage hours per day. This will give you the total kWh per day of one appliance.
Example:
For instance, if you wish to run a refrigerator for 6 hours and it consumes 300 watts per hour, here is how to calculate its load wattage.
Similarly, you can calculate the load of all other home appliances. Add them up, and you will get the total power you need for one
day.
Formula:
Here is how you can calculate it:
Step 1: Calculate the kWh usage: First, you need to gather the kilowatt-hour usage from your electricity bills. Next, determine the
average monthly kWh by adding 12 months of kWh usage and dividing it by 12. Divide the resulting number by 30 to calculate daily
kWh usage.
Living Room
Kitchen Appliances Watts Watts Outdoor Appliances Watts
Appliances
500 W 150-200 W 1100 W
Blender TV Band Saw
Step 2: Determine peak sun hours: Note down the peak sun hours you receive. Remember, not every location gets the same amount
or intensity of sunlight. To make the most of solar power, calculate the average sun hours you receive and move to the third step.
Step 3: Calculate Solar System Size: The last step is to determine the size or capacity of the solar system you'll need to power
appliances. You can simply divide the daily kWh by the average sun hours. Then, multiply the result by the panel's efficiency to get an
estimated solar system size.
Note: Always use highly efficient solar panels with a power station to charge appliances. Instead of connecting hundreds of solar
panels, you can purchase a combination of powerful power stations with high battery capacity and connect them with solar panels.
Refer to the table to determine the energy needs of different appliances.
The battery capacity is generally measured in AH (ampere-hour). The most common battery type is 12V, which provides 80%
efficiency. The more the solar panel backup time, the longer you can run your devices.
Formula:
Here is how you can easily calculate it:
Battery Backup Time = (Battery AH × 12V × battery efficiency) ÷ Total power consumption.
Example:
Suppose you are running an appliance that consumes 100W of energy. In this case, the backup time will be: (100 AH × 12 V × 0.8) ÷
100 watts = 9.6 hours.
Hence, you can run the appliance for 9.6 hours with a 100 AH battery capacity solar power system.
The main factors that affect the overall cost of solar panels include the type of panels you wish to install. For instance, if you're
planning to install monocrystalline solar panels that are highly efficient, you'll need to pay a few extra bucks.
Other factors influencing solar panel calculation include size, conversation rate, and other relevant features of solar power panels.
Alternatively, you can use the solar panel cost calculator to determine the overall expenses.
Solar Panel Paycheck Period Calculation
The solar panel payback period is the estimation of the time it takes for the solar panel system to generate enough energy savings so
you can offset the initial investment.
Formula:
The simple formula to calculate the payback period is the total cost of the system divided by the average yearly energy savings.
Payback Period = Total cost of solar panel system ÷ Average yearly energy savings.
Example:
Suppose you've purchased a solar system of $20,000 that helps you to reduce your electricity bills by $70 per month.
In this case, the average yearly energy savings will be $70 × 12 = $840.
Hence, solar panel systems will take 24 years to completely offset the initial investment.
Formula:
Here is the mathematical representation of the solar panel efficiency.
Where
1000 = Conversion factor to convert power output per unit area from watts per sq. M to percent.
Example:
Suppose you have a solar panel with a maximum power output of 200W and a surface area of 1.6 m2. The efficiency of solar panels
would be:
In this case, the solar panel efficiency is 12.5%. That said, it can convert 12.5% of the sunlight that hits the panels to electricity.
Formula:
To calculate the solar panel insolation, you can use the following formula:
I=E/A×t
Where
Example:
Suppose a 1 square meter of the surface area receives 5 hours of peak sunlight and 5 kWh of energy in a day. In this case, the
insolation would be calculated as follows:
Note: The actual insolation will depend on multiple other factors, including but not limited to location, atmospheric conditions, time
of year, etc.
How To Maintain Your Solar Panel?
Solar panels can efficiently generate electricity for decades as long as you maintain them well.
Here are a few simple ways to improve efficiency and maintain solar panels:
Clean your solar panels frequently. Accumulation of objects, dust, and debris on the surface of solar panels can block some sunlight.
Regular cleaning helps solar panels efficiently convert solar energy to electricity.
Cover the portable power station when it is not in use. Store it in a clean and dry location, as dust and moisture may leak into the
device and damage internal components.Avoid overloading the portable power station by connecting multiple devices to it. It's worth
checking the rated power output of the solar panel specified by the manufacturer before plugging in the appliances. se the portable
solar power station frequently to keep the battery in good condition and prevent it from self-discharging.Best Portable Solar Panels
With Jackery
Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels come with foldable handles, making them easy to carry wherever and whenever you go. With the
highest efficiency in the industry, these solar panels convert more sunlight into usable electricity than other conventional panels.
Combining the solar panels with Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations allows you to store the generated electricity in a lithium-
ion battery and keep all your appliances charged. Made with monocrystalline solar cells, the three best Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels
help you make the most of solar power and ensure you can minimize your high electricity bills.
Suppose you've invested $12,000 in the solar system and you save $1200 per year; the payback period will be $12000 ÷ $1200 = 10
years.
How to calculate energy production per PV module?
The simple formula to calculate energy production per PV module:
E = A × r × H × PR
Where,
E = Energy (kWh)
PR = Performance Ratio (default value = 0.75). And PR of Jackery Solar Panels can reach up to 0.85.
Note: This is a general calculation, and the values can vary depending on the brand of the solar panel.
How to make full use of Jackery solar panels?
Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels are highly efficient and help convert solar energy into usable electricity. To make the most of your
solar panels, combine them with Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations. With Jackery Solar Generator, you can charge all your
small and large appliances using the sun's energy.
Final Thoughts
Solar panel calculation does not have to be daunting when you switch to solar energy. Simple measures can help you determine the
size, cost, and efficiency of the solar power panels available on the market. If you are still confused about which solar panels to
choose, consider the different Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels models.
You can choose the right type of solar power panel depending on your power needs, budget, and preferences. Make sure to purchase
Jackery Explorer Portable Power Station in addition to solar panels that can help you charge all your electrical appliances.
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