Wattage (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (I) this is the standard and well-known formula for finding solar panel watts. A watt is a unit of power. Watt is denoted by (W). If you would like to find any electrical unit you must consider power. To find the power of a device we use a known formula P = VI. If we know the voltage and current, then we can easily find the power in Watt or KW. However, the solar panel is an electronic device. In that case, we should know how to calculate any electrical term of a device. So, how to calculate solar panel wattage? In that case, we require solar panel voltage, ampere, and panel maximum output power. So, let’s see how to calculate DC or AC wattage from solar panels.
How to Calculate Solar Panel Wattage?
To calculate solar panel wattage, we should consider the solar panel peak watt. This peak watt represents the solar panel’s maximum output power in ideal conditions. So, let’s find through a simple solar panel calculation formula with a simple term.
Suppose Peak Watt or Watt-Peak (Wp) Rating is 300W.
Now we have to find how long these panels get sunlight. Let’s assume an average PV panels get sunlight for 5 hours per day.
Calculate Daily Energy Production or consumption:
- Daily Energy Production = Watt-Peak Rating * Average Sun Hours per Day
- Daily Energy Production = 300W x 5 hours = 1500 watt-hours or 1.5 kWh (kilowatt-hours) per day
- But How to Calculate Monthly Energy Production?
- Monthly Energy Production = Daily Energy Production x 30 days
- Monthly Energy Production = 1.5 KWh per day x 30 days = 45 KWh per month.
This calculation gives you an estimate of the energy production of a solar panel based on its watt-peak rating. So, if you think how to check my solar panel wattage? This process also helps to learn how to calculate the wattage of a solar panel.
How to Calculate Solar Panel Wattage for Home?
Calculating the PV panel wattage for a home needs to know home energy consumption, PV panel power production, etc. So, let’s see with few steps on how to calculate solar panel wattage for a home.
Home Energy Consumption
- Find your home load demand in kilowatts per hour (KWh).
- Convert them into watts, suppose you consume 2 KWh. It means you consume 2000 watt for 1 hour.
- Now multiply them by 1000 to get watt-hours (Wh). So, 2KW * 1000 = 2000 Wh
Let’s See Another Clear Example
- Monthly electricity consumption: 900 KWh.
- Daily electricity consumption: 900 KWh / 30 days = 30 KWh/day.
- Convert to watt per hour: 30 kWh/day * 1000 = 30,000 Wh/day.
Estimate the Solar Panel Production Factor:
- Suppose an average PV panel peak sun hour is 5 per day.
- If you live in a place where 5 peak sun hours/day is available.
- So, we can say your production factor is 5.
Now Calculate your Solar Panel Capacity.
Home Solar Panel Wattage = Daily Energy Consumption (Wh) or (KWh) / Production Factor.
Let’s See a Clear Example:
- Daily energy consumption: 30,000 Wh/day or 30KWh per day.
- Production factor: 5 hours per day.
- Home solar panel capacity: 30,000 Wh per day / 5 hours/day.
So, Home Solar Panel Wattage = 6,000 W or 6KW.
How Many PV Panels Are Required to Meet 6000 W or 6 KW Load Demand?
Divide the total required capacity by the wattage of individual panels.
In most cases, solar panels range from 250W to 400W.
Suppose
- You selected a 350-watt PV panel to install on your home rooftop.
- In that case, you will require = 6,000 W / 350 W panels =17.14 panels.
It is noted that you can’t have a fraction of a panel. So, you should require approximately 350-watt capacity of 18 panels to cover your home’s daily energy consumption. It is noted that always choose more watt capacity panels than your home’s actual load demand.
Suppose your home load demand is 2000 watts. In that case, you should use at least 350-watt capacity 6 panels (350 *6 =2100 watts). It is because your solar panel efficiency may be reduced due to low sunlight, dust on the panels, shading of the trees, and others.
How to Calculate Solar Panel Power and Voltage?
To calculate the voltage of a solar panel system you need to understand how their voltages add up when arranged in series or parallel configurations.
For Series Connection:
- The total system voltage is the sum of the voltages of individual panels.
- The current remains the same as that of a single panel.
Suppose a photovoltaic panels have 36 cells. Each PV cell produces 0.46 Volt and current 2 amps and operating temperature is 250C.
1. For Series Connection
- Voltage in each PV cell = 0.46 Volt.
- Current in each PV cell = 2 Amperes.
- Total cell = 36
- Each PV cell * total cell
- 0.46 * 36 = 16.56 Volts.
- To find the power P = VI = 16.56 * 2
- So, power P = 33.12 watts.
2. For Parallel Connections
The total system voltage is the same as the voltage of one PV panel.
The total current is the sum of the currents of individual PV panels.
- Voltage in each PV cell = 0.46 Volt.
- Current in each PV cell * total cell = 2 Amperes * 36.
- Total current = 72 Ampere.
- Total power P =VI = PV cell * total current = 0.46 * 72
- Total power P = 33.12 watts.
How to Calculate Solar Panel Voltage?
If you want to find Solar panel voltage, then consider two main methods series and parallel.
- Suppose you have three solar panels.
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) is 37 Volt.
- Maximum Power Point Voltage (Vmp) is 30 Volt.
1. In a Series Connection
We know that the voltages add up while the current remains constant. If each panel voltage is around 30 Volt, then the equation is:
So, in a series connection, the total System voltage is 90 Volts
2. In a Parallel Connection
We know that in a parallel connection voltage level remains the same but the current becomes high.
If each panel voltage is around 30 Volt, then the equation is:
The total voltage remains the same as one panel’s Vmp. For this reason, three 30V panels are 30V.
How Many Watts Does The Average Solar Panel Produce?
The average solar panel produces between 250 watts to 400 watts of power under standard test conditions. The exact output depends on some essential factors such as the panel’s size, efficiency, and the technology used or panel type (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or thin-film). Modern, high-efficiency panels are monocrystalline solar cells. This panel is suitable for residential and commercial installations for more power production.
How Much KWh Produced by A Solar Panel?
The solar panel produces power is measured in kilowatt-hours (KWh). On 250 to 400-watt output rating PV panel can generate an average of 1.5 to 2 kWh per day. It is noted that the actual production can vary based on geographic location, panel orientation, weather conditions, panel efficiency, and panel size.
Final Thought
Looking for, how to check solar panel wattage? I have shown the easiest way to check PV panel wattage. You may also follow this easiest formula to calculate the wattage of a solar panel.
Wattage (W) = Voltage (V) × Current (I)
This means you multiply the panel’s output voltage by its output current. The voltage is the electrical potential the panel produces. On the other hand, the current is the flow of electric charge. These values are provided by the manufacturer. On the other hand, a solar panel calculator will help you to find panel watt, voltage, current, etc. Just put the value and get the result that you are looking for. So, you may use a solar power wattage calculator.