1. What is Solar Panel Power Calculation?

Solar panel power calculation estimates the electrical power output of solar panels based on area, solar irradiance, and panel efficiency. This is particularly important in India where solar energy potential varies across different regions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the solar power formula:

Where:

• \( Area \) — Surface area of solar panels (m²)
• \( Irradiance \) — Solar radiation intensity (W/m²)
• \( Efficiency \) — Panel conversion efficiency (decimal)

Explanation: The formula calculates the maximum theoretical power output by multiplying the panel area by the solar irradiance and the panel's efficiency factor.

3. Importance of Solar Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for designing solar energy systems, estimating energy production, sizing inverters and batteries, and calculating return on investment for solar projects in India.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter panel area in square meters, solar irradiance in watts per square meter (typical Indian values range from 150-250 W/m²), and efficiency as a decimal (typically 0.15-0.22 for commercial panels). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical solar irradiance in India?
A: India receives average solar irradiance of 4-7 kWh/m²/day, which translates to approximately 166-291 W/m² average power density.

Q2: What efficiency can I expect from solar panels?
A: Commercial solar panels typically have efficiencies between 15-22%, with premium panels reaching up to 24% efficiency.

Q3: How does temperature affect solar panel performance?
A: Solar panel efficiency decreases as temperature increases. In hot Indian climates, actual output may be 10-15% lower than theoretical calculations.

Q4: Are there regional variations in solar potential in India?
A: Yes, northwestern regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat have the highest solar potential, while northeastern regions receive comparatively less solar radiation.

Q5: What other factors affect actual power output?
A: Orientation, tilt angle, shading, dust accumulation, inverter efficiency, and system losses all affect the actual power output from solar installations.