basic

Solar Panel Array Area for a Daily-kWh Target Calculator

Area = daily_kWh / (irradiance · efficiency · derating).

Compute the solar-panel array area needed to produce a target daily energy (kWh) at a site with average peak-sun-hours (PSH, kWh/m²/day). Area (m²) = daily_kWh / (PSH × η × derating), where η is the panel efficiency (typical mono-Si ≈ 0.20) and derating accounts for inverter, soiling, wiring, and temperature losses (typical 0.80).

Dr. Helena Ortiz By Dr. Helena Ortiz
Published Last reviewed 1 min read

Inputs

kWh
h/day

Results

Enter values and click Calculate to see results.
Was this helpful?

How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in the inputs above using the units you already have.
  2. Values update automatically as you type — no submit button needed.
  3. Hover any result row for the underlying formula and intermediate values.

Formula

Area = daily_kWh / (PSH · η · derate).

In depth

Compute the solar-panel array area needed to produce a target daily energy (kWh) at a site with average peak-sun-hours (PSH, kWh/m²/day). Area (m²) = daily_kWh / (PSH × η × derating), where η is the panel efficiency (typical mono-Si ≈ 0.20) and derating accounts for inverter, soiling, wiring, and temperature losses (typical 0.80).