Solar System Calculations Made Easy

Estimate your solar energy needs for home, RV, or off-grid projects. From panels and batteries to charge controllers, inverters, ROI, and cable sizing, use our comprehensive suite of solar calculators and expert advice for effective solar system planning.

Why Choose Our Solar System Sizing Tools?

Comprehensive Tools

Calculate everything from total load and inverter sizing to solar investment payback periods and optimal cable gauge for your setup.

Instant Results

Get quick and accurate solar estimations to help you plan your solar energy project efficiently and make informed decisions.

Expert Advice

Consult our Solar Advisor for personalized recommendations and answers to your specific solar questions.

Shareable Results

Easily copy and share your detailed calculation results, complete with timestamps, for your records or consultations.

Solar Journey Kickstarter

New to solar or unsure where to begin? Answer a couple of questions, and our advisor will suggest the best tools and resources on this site to get you started!

Solar Journey Kickstarter Form

Ready for Your Solar Project?

Whether you're planning an off-grid solar system, supplementing your home energy, or setting up solar for an RV, our tools can help you make informed decisions. Dive into our calculators or learn more about the benefits and planning of solar energy.

About Solar Calculator Pros

Empowering your transition to clean, renewable energy with precision tools, expert guidance, and comprehensive resources.

Our Mission

At Solar Calculator Pros, our mission is to demystify the process of going solar. We believe that everyone should have access to the information and tools needed to make confident, informed decisions about their energy future. Whether you're a homeowner looking to reduce your electricity bills, an adventurer outfitting an RV for off-grid living, or a professional planning a complex installation, our platform is designed to be your trusted companion every step of the way.

What We Provide

Precision Calculators

Our comprehensive suite of free calculators covers every aspect of system sizing—from initial load assessment to battery banks, panel arrays, inverter sizing, and even financial ROI.

AI-Powered Guidance

Leverage our Solar Advisor and Journey Kickstarter to get personalized recommendations and clear answers to your most challenging solar questions, powered by advanced AI.

In-Depth Resources

Explore our resources section to visualize system components, understand industry jargon with our glossary, and learn optimization tips to maximize your solar investment.

Why Go Solar? The Powerful Benefits

Embracing solar energy is a significant step towards a sustainable future and energy independence. It offers a wide array of advantages for individuals, communities, and the planet.

Renewable & Sustainable

Solar power is derived from the sun, an abundant, inexhaustible, and clean resource, reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels for a greener planet.

Reduce Electricity Bills

Generating your own electricity can significantly lower or even eliminate your monthly energy costs, offering long-term savings and financial predictability.

Low Maintenance Costs

Solar panel systems are durable and generally require very little maintenance, often just periodic cleaning, leading to hassle-free operation.

Environmentally Friendly

Solar power produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, helping combat climate change and reduce your carbon footprint.

Increase Property Value

Homes equipped with solar panel systems often have higher property values and attract environmentally-conscious buyers in the real estate market.

Energy Independence

Reduce your dependence on traditional utility providers and protect yourself against fluctuating energy prices with your own power source.

Solar Calculators

Navigate through our specialized tools to design and optimize your solar energy system. Select a category below to view the relevant calculators.

Start here to determine the fundamental components for your solar setup. Accurate sizing is key to an efficient and reliable system.

Total Load Calculator

Estimate your total daily energy consumption (Wh) and peak power demand (Watts) for accurate system sizing.

Battery Bank Sizer

Determine the optimal battery bank capacity (Ah/kWh) for your energy storage needs and desired autonomy.

Solar Panels Needed

Calculate the number of solar panels required to meet your daily energy goals, optionally factoring in battery charging.

Charge Controller Sizer

Find the right amperage for your solar charge controller based on your panel array and battery voltage.

Inverter Sizing

Determine the appropriate continuous and surge wattage for your solar inverter to power your appliances.

Fine-tune your system for maximum efficiency, output, and longevity with these specialized calculators.

Panel Tilt & Orientation

Get guidance on optimal solar panel placement and angle to maximize energy capture throughout the year.

Rooftop Layout Planner

Visually plan your panel arrangement. Define your roof space and panel size to optimize your layout and count.

Annual Energy Production Estimator

Estimate the yearly energy output (kWh) of your solar panels based on system size and sun hours.

Battery Charge Time Estimator

Estimate how long it will take to charge your batteries with your solar panel setup and charge controller type.

Cable Gauge Calculator (AWG)

Determine the appropriate AWG wire size for safe and efficient power transfer, minimizing voltage drop.

What Can My Panels Power?

See real-world examples of appliances your solar setup could run daily, based on its estimated energy production.

Sunlight Hours & Location Analyzer

Get estimated peak sun hours for your location and insights on its solar potential.

Assess the economic viability of your solar project and leverage our advisor for personalized guidance.

Payback & ROI Estimator

Estimate solar system payback period and potential return on investment for your solar energy investment.

Basic System Cost Estimator

Get a rough ballpark equipment cost (panels, inverter, batteries) based on system size and type.

Solar Advisor

Ask our advisor for personalized advice on any solar-related questions or specific project needs.

Charge Controller Size Calculator

Solar Panels Needed Calculator

Tip: Use our Total Load Calculator to find this value.

Optional: Battery Charging Requirements

How many sun hours per day to achieve the charge. Must be > 0 if battery capacity is > 0, and ≤ Peak Sun Hours.

Battery Bank Size Calculator

Tip: Use our Total Load Calculator to find this value. Recommended: Lithium ~80-90%, Lead Acid ~50%.

Inverter Sizing Calculator

The sum of power ratings of appliances likely to run simultaneously for extended periods. The highest power draw you expect, including startup surges of motors (e.g., fridge, pump). Select a factor if your peak load includes significant motor startup. The inverter's surge rating should meet (Peak Load * Surge Factor).

Panel Tilt & Orientation Optimizer

Enter positive for Northern Hemisphere, negative for Southern. (e.g., London ~51.5, Sydney ~ -33.9)

Annual Energy Production Estimator

Tip: Use our Sunlight Hours & Location Analyzer for a location-specific estimate. Accounts for losses from wiring, inverter, dirt, temperature, etc. Typical: 75-85%.

Solar System Payback & ROI Estimator

Enter the 3-letter code for your currency (e.g., USD for US Dollar). Calculations will use this code. Tip: Use our Annual Energy Production Estimator if unsure. Typical: 0.5% - 1% per year. Historical average: ~2-3%.

Estimate Battery Charge Time

Calculate Total Daily Load

List your appliances to estimate total energy consumption (Wh/day) and peak power (Watts).

Add Appliance Details

Appliance Power (W) Qty Hrs/Day Action

Cable Gauge Calculator (AWG)

Basic System Cost Estimator

This is the total DC power of your solar panels. Adjust based on your local market prices and component availability. Average is usually 1.0.

Solar Advisor

Ask Jay, your Solar Advisor, any questions about solar energy, system sizing, or for general guidance. Be as specific as possible for the best advice.

What Can My Solar Panels Power? (Visualizer)

Enter your system details to get examples of what your solar array might be able to power on a typical day and/or from battery storage.

Enter 0 or leave blank if you only want to visualize direct solar production usage without battery storage.

Sunlight Hours & Location Analyzer

Get an estimated of peak sun hours for your location and brief insights on its solar potential.

Rooftop Layout Planner

Enter the dimensions of your usable roof area and a single solar panel to visualize the layout. Dimensions in feet will be converted to inches for calculation.

Solar Resources & Guides

Expand your knowledge with our curated resources. From understanding solar components to decoding your electricity bill and exploring financing options, we're here to help you on your solar journey.

Visualizing Your Solar Power System

Understand the flow of energy in a typical solar power setup, from sunlight capture to powering your loads or charging batteries.

Sun
Panel
Controller
Battery
Inverter
Load

Solar Glossary

Confused by solar jargon? Use our glossary to quickly understand common solar energy terms and concepts. Click a predefined term or type your own.

Decoding Your Electricity Bill (Infographic)

Understand the key components of your electricity bill to better assess potential savings from solar. This visual guide helps you identify usage charges, fixed fees, and how solar credits might appear.

Your Utility Bill Summary
Billing Period: Jan 1 - Jan 31
Energy Consumption (kWh): 750 kWh This is what solar aims to offset!
Rate per kWh: $0.15
Fixed Delivery Charge: $15.00 Usually not offset by solar.
Solar Credit (Net Metering): -$25.00 If you export excess solar energy.
Total Amount Due: $102.50

Optimizing Your Solar System's Performance (Tips)

Learn practical tips to maximize your solar system's energy output and longevity. From panel cleaning to monitoring, these small steps can make a big difference.

Regular Cleaning

Keep panels free of dirt, dust, and debris to maximize light absorption.

Minimize Shading

Trim trees or remove obstructions that cast shadows on your panels, especially during peak sun hours.

Monitor Performance

Use monitoring systems to track output and quickly identify any issues or drops in efficiency.

Check Connections

Periodically inspect wiring and connections for tightness and signs of wear or corrosion (if safe and accessible).

Get In Touch With Solar Calculator Pros

Have questions, feedback, or need assistance with your solar project planning? We're here to help! Use the form below to send us a message. We aim to respond within 1-2 business days.

Contact Us Form

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 20, 2024

Welcome to Solar Calculator Pros ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, solarcalculatorpros.com (the "Service"). Please read this policy carefully.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

a) Information You Provide Directly:
  • Calculator Inputs: When you use our calculators, you provide data such as appliance wattage, sun hours, system costs, latitude, or location details. This information is used solely to perform the requested calculations.
  • Advisor Feature Queries: When you interact with our features like the Solar Advisor, Journey Kickstarter, Solar Glossary, or Sunlight Analyzer, we collect the questions and information you provide to process your request.
  • Contact Form: When you contact us, we collect your name, email address, and the message you send.
  • Saved Scenarios: Our "Save Scenario" feature allows you to save your calculation inputs and results. This information is stored exclusively on your local device using your browser's Local Storage. We do not have access to, nor do we transmit, this saved data.
b) Information Collected Automatically:
  • Geolocation Data: Our "Sunlight Hours & Location Analyzer" feature may request access to your device's geolocation to provide location-specific sunlight data. We only access this information with your explicit permission, which your browser will prompt you for. You can deny this permission without affecting the rest of the Service's functionality.
  • Usage Data: Like most websites, we may collect standard technical information automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and the pages you visit. This data is used for analytics, to improve the Service, and for security monitoring.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain the Service.
  • Perform the calculations and generate the results you request.
  • Power our advisor-driven features and provide you with personalized advice.
  • Respond to your comments, questions, and provide customer support via the contact form.
  • Monitor and analyze usage and trends to improve your experience and the Service's functionality.
  • Ensure the security and integrity of our Service.

3. Third-Party Services & Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We only share information in the following limited circumstances:

  • Google Gemini API: To provide our AI-powered features (e.g., Solar Advisor, Solar Glossary, etc.), we send your queries to Google's servers for processing via the Gemini API. This interaction is subject to Google's API privacy policies. We recommend you review the Google Privacy Policy. We do not send personal identifiers like your name or email with these AI queries.
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect and defend our rights or property, or prevent fraud.

4. Data Storage and Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your information. As mentioned, data you choose to save via the "Save Scenario" feature is stored in your browser's Local Storage on your device and is not accessible by us.

Please be aware that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse.

5. Your Rights and Choices

  • Saved Scenarios: You can view, load, and delete your saved scenarios at any time within the respective calculator. You can also clear all saved data by clearing your browser's site data for solarcalculatorpros.com.
  • Geolocation: You can enable or disable location services when prompted by your browser or through your device's settings.
  • Providing Information: You can always choose not to provide certain information, but this may prevent you from using certain features of the Service (like the advisor tools or location analyzer).

6. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not directed to individuals under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us using the form on our Contact Us page.

Solar Advisor Chat