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Solar Power Calculator Overview Solar Power Calculator Solar Power Calculator Adjustable Variables Solar Panel Wattage Average Daily Sunlight Hours Electricity Rate ($/kWh) Calculate How to Use a Solar Power Calculator Solar calculators harness sunlight energy, which is converted by photovoltaic cells into direct electrical current. Solar power calculators can help you estimate how much your system will cost, both upfront and over its lifespan, relative to utility electricity rates. You can estimate these costs using average peak sun hours for your area as well as average annual sunshine levels. Solar Panel Wattage Solar power is an eco-friendly form of renewable energy derived from sunlight, converted by solar panels into electricity for use by household appliances and electronics. Your home's individual energy requirements depend on factors like its wattage consumption as well as peak sunlight hours your location receives daily; to determine these figures you can follow these steps: First, it is important to determine your average hourly usage of electricity. This can be accomplished by reviewing past bills or by signing into your online account and reviewing statements. Once this data is in hand, simply multiply by 1000 and convert to Kilowatt-Hours (kWh). Next, calculate the peak sun hours in your area using the Global Solar Atlas. Keep in mind that peak sunshine hours vary significantly between geographic locations; California for instance enjoys more peak sunlight hours than New York; thus it is important to use this calculator as precisely as possible in estimating peak sunlight hours in your own location. Once you know your kW usage and peak sunlight hours, the next step should be estimating your total load wattage of your household. This can be accomplished by looking at each appliance you plan to run as well as their hourly wattage use; for instance if your refrigerator uses 300W per hour and will be running six hours daily; calculate its load wattage as follows: Load wattage can also be calculated by analyzing each solar panel in your system individually. To do this, read each label on their backs to identify their maximum operating current (also referred to as Imp). This figure represents how much electricity your panel generates under ideal conditions; to get an idea of its power output compare its wattage with similar panels that have been rated by trusted manufacturers. To estimate the total kW output of your solar system, add up all of its panels' wattages and compare this figure against your household's kW requirement. From here you can ascertain which panels need to be installed; their number being dependent upon both budgetary considerations and available space in your home for installation. Generally speaking, larger solar systems tend to generate more wattage; however if your goal is offset utility bills completely regardless of which size system you opt for. Average Daily Sunlight Hours When comparing solar energy potential between states or cities, average daily sunshine hours is an essential consideration. Sunlight hours refer to the number of hours during each day that sunlight intensity exceeds 1000 watts per square meter (1 kW per sq m). Average daily sunshine hours can be calculated by adding together total solar insolation and peak solar irradiance for each day in question. Higher irradiance means more solar power is generated. Solar insolation includes both diffuse and direct light that reaches the surface; peak solar irradiance refers to maximum amount of sunlight reaching surface within one hour. Multiple factors can impact peak sun hours in any location, including latitude, climate and weather. States nearer the equator typically enjoy more sunny days resulting in higher peak sun hours than Alaska or Washington. Additionally, the sun's position changes throughout the year and this can affect peak sun hours. Peak sun hours typically increase when it is directly overhead while in winter its angle lowers and less energy reaches Earth. Another factor affecting peak sun hours is cloudiness in a given region. Areas where it rains frequently will tend to produce less solar electricity while regions with clear weather have greater solar power output. Example: New York City experiences on average 379 peak sun hours daily while Boston only gets 260. This disparity occurs as New York is located further north and thus experiences more seasonal shifts in the angle of sunlight. Although New York averages an annual total of 3.79 peak sun hours, daily variations depending on weather conditions such as bright, clear summer days producing far more peak sun hours than darker, cloudier winter days can produce. Electricity Rate ($/kWh) Solar calculators utilize photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electrical energy and store it in a rechargeable battery for later use by the calculator. Some models also feature built-in inverters which convert DC power into AC electricity - something most electronics such as calculators require in order to function optimally. Solar calculators use solar cells made of silicon-based semiconductor material that generates electric current when exposed to light, powering its electronic circuits. As with most calculators powered by sunlight, the more powerful the solar cell, the stronger its current generation is; solar-powered calculators generally feature one positioned near their top surface so as to receive sufficient sunlight in order to function optimally. Calculators generally require at least 0.02W of energy to run properly, though some models can produce up to 0.25W. To estimate your solar calculator's energy needs, multiply its wattage rating by the expected daily use hours or use comparable calculators' wattages as an indication. Calculators with solar cells provide not only an effective means of powering your devices but also serve to educate on the principles of solar energy. You'll find these cells powering everything from Tamagotchis and mobile phones to helping power our world by eliminating fossil fuel usage. Utilizing your solar calculator can help you reduce energy usage, ultimately saving money on monthly home electricity bills. By making smarter lifestyle choices and selecting energy-efficient appliances for use around the house, and cutting heating and cooling consumption in general. In addition, participating in local community solar projects or switching suppliers through Constellation Energy Marketplace could offset some costs for you as well. Understanding how your energy bill is calculated can be key when selecting a plan or evaluating options. At its core, your electric bill includes both the cost of your energy usage as well as how many kilowatt-hours (kWhs) were consumed in one month. To calculate this figure, divide total kW usage by 1,000 and multiply that figure with your home's electricity rate per kWh - this method applies for everything from running appliances to charging your smartphone - and can even help assess potential savings from installing rooftop solar panels.