Updated
Using Solar panel calculator
Estimate daily energy = rated array kW × equivalent peak-sun hours × retained fraction.
Sun hours mean equivalent full-irradiance hours, not daylight length. Site irradiation and loss allowance are your inputs; no weather, shade, orientation or seasonal dataset is assumed. This is not an electrical or roof design.
A worked example
Example inputs: panel rating (w) = 400, panel count = 10, site equivalent peak-sun hours per day = 4, energy retained after losses (%) = 80. Modeled daily energy (kWh) = 12.8.
Before you use the result
Sun hours mean equivalent full-irradiance hours, not daylight length. Site irradiation and loss allowance are your inputs; no weather, shade, orientation or seasonal dataset is assumed. This is not an electrical or roof design.
Example results for panel rating (w)
These examples use Panel count: 10; Site equivalent peak-sun hours per day: 4; Energy retained after losses (%): 80. They are reference calculations, not recommended settings.
| Panel rating (W) | Modeled daily energy (kWh) |
|---|---|
| 200 | 6.4 |
| 400 | 12.8 |
| 800 | 25.6 |
Cite this page
ToolOctopus. “Solar panel calculator.” Updated 2026-09-26. https://tooloctopus.com/solar-panel-calculator.
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