Battery Chemistry Type

Lithium-IonRECOMMENDED

• 85% Depth of Discharge (DoD)
• Lifespan: ~10 years (3000+ cycles)
• Fast charging & zero maintenance

Deep Cycle Lead-AcidBUDGET OPTION

• 50% Depth of Discharge (DoD)
• Lifespan: ~2-3 years (500+ cycles)
• Heavy weight & requires water level checks

Desired Backup Hours4 Hours Backup

12h

2h (Minimum)7h (Average night)

*Note: Backup size is calculated based on powering average household appliances over the selected hours. Essential loads (fans, lighting) will run longer, high loads (ACs) will run shorter.

Select your appliances

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Configure Load Details

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Click items in the grid above to add them to your solar estimation plan.

Awaiting Configuration

Select your appliances above to see your personalised solar recommendation.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to Use the Solar Calculator

Follow these three steps to accurately size your solar power system for home or business use.

Calculate Total Consumption

Before purchasing solar panels, you must know your actual daily consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Our solar panel calculator allows you to input exact quantities, power ratings (Watts), and daily operating hours for fans, LED lights, air conditioners, and kitchen appliances.

(Watts × Qty × Hours) ÷ 1000 = kWh per day

Grouping appliances gives your total daily and monthly utility footprint.

Recommended Solar System Size

System size in kW depends on average daily sun hours and efficiency losses. Average global locations receive between 4.0 to 6.0 peak sun hours per day. We assume a standard 5.0 peak sun hours with an 80% system efficiency factor.

Daily kWh ÷ (Peak Sun Hours × 0.8) = Solar kW Size

We automatically round up to align with whole numbers of modern 550W modules.

Select Inverter & Batteries

Inverters convert DC solar panel power to AC home power. We apply a 20% safety headroom above the system size. For energy storage, we calculate backup requirements during night-time or power outages based on your backup hours target.

Lithium: 85% DoD • Lead-Acid: 50% DoD

Lead-acid batteries must align with series voltage connection multiples (4× for 48V systems).

Common Questions

Solar Panel FAQs — USA

What size inverter is recommended for a solar system?

Which battery chemistry should I choose for solar backup?

How many lead-acid batteries are needed for a 48V solar inverter?

Does roof orientation affect solar panel output?

Should I get a battery with my solar panels?

It depends on your usage pattern. If you're home during the day, you'll self-consume most solar directly and a battery adds modest value. If you're out during peak generation hours (9am–3pm), a battery captures that generation for evening use and can cut your bill by an extra 20–30%. In countries with low feed-in tariffs (like Germany post-2024), batteries make more financial sense than exporting cheaply.

Can I use solar panels to charge my electric car at home?

Michigan Solar Panel Savings & Payback Calculator