7 Free Solar Calculators to Size Panels, Batteries & Inverters

Installation of solar system initially seems daunting. You have watts and volts and amps and batteries and a single mistake in calculation may spell out the failure of your system or possible danger to your life.

The good news? One does not have to be an electrical engineer. The heavy lifting can be done by simple calculators. I have compiled seven free tools that can assist you to get everything just right whether you are planning an off-grid cabin or just want to know what your home can produce in terms of solar energy.

Let's walk through each one.

Watts Calculator

A watts calculator will assist you in determining the real amount of energy that your gadgets and appliances use. It is this that forms the basis of sizing any solar system. Before purchasing panels or batteries, you have to know your overall power consumption. The calculator requires you to input voltage and amperage and then it generates the power consumption in watts.

This eliminates the possibilities of guessing and will enable you to avoid purchasing an equipment that is either too small or excessively large. There are voltage and amp ratings printed on most devices, usually in a label or sticker. Enter those numbers into the calculator and you have the very thing you are dealing with. With this, all other decisions in your solar planning are much easier.

Calculator of Volts

Solar systems operate at varying voltages and the selection of the appropriate system is critical in efficiency and compatibility of equipment. A volts calculator can be used to figure out what voltage will fit the arrangement best. System voltage influences the thickness of your wires to which components to use with. Lower voltages are commonly used with smaller systems, and higher voltages are commonly used with large installations since they minimize current do through wires.

The calculator will make you realize how voltage, current and power relate in your particular case. This facilitates easier selection of batteries, inverters and charge controllers that are all compatible and do not pose safety risks.

Amps Calculator

The current flow expressed in ampere values determines the size of the wires, as well as the size of the fuses. The excess current over smaller wiring causes heat buildup which is dangerous. An amps calculator will tell you just what is passing through your system. Knowledge of amperage is of paramount importance in safety. An increase in current necessitates cables with increased thickness and fuses or breakers with appropriate breaker rating.

The guesswork is eliminated with the use of the calculator on these significant decisions. With the knowledge of your amp draw, you will be able to choose the appropriate wire gauge and protection devices in advance before installing. This eliminates over heating, voltage drops and possible fire hazards. It is such a simple procedure that will ensure that your system is safer and more reliable as soon as it is at its start.

Calculator Battery Capacity

The panels can generate power only when the sun is shining thus the batteries store the energy when the night falls or when it is cloudy. The battery capacity calculator assists you to determine the storage capacity that you require. The calculator takes into account the amount of energy you use daily, and the number of days of back up you would want. Amp-hours are the typical unit of measure used to determine the battery capacity and the amount of energy that the battery can hold and release.

Getting this right would ensure that you will not be caught short when you need the power most. Batteries that are too small show you blackness and those that are too big ruin your money. The calculator identifies the sweet spot in regards to your actual usage trends and backup needs.

Battery Bank Capacity Calculator

The majority of solar systems require more than one battery to serve as an adequate storage. Battery Bank capacity calculator assists you in calculating the number of batteries you require and how to connect them properly. Batteries can be stacked together to gain voltage either in series or to gain capacity or in combination.

Every setup gets you different total storage and system voltage. The calculator will display the varying wiring configurations to your total battery bank specifications. This assists you in configuring a system to fit your system voltage and storage requirements without purchasing the incorrect batteries or putting them together improperly.

Solar Calculator of Panels - String Wiring Series and Parallel

The solar panels may be wired in a variety of different configurations to suit your system needs. A solar panel string calculator assists you in designing a correct combination of series and parallel connections. Parallel wiring raises the current whereas series wiring raises the voltage. Both have a limit on the maximum input on your charge controller and you must not exceed those limits.

The calculator assists you in putting your panels together to generate the correct amount of voltage and current to your batteries and charge controller. Inefficient panel arrangement consumes energy and may destroy machinery. Getting it first comes with improved performance and lifestyles of equipment.

Calculate the Size of Battery to Inverter Fuses - Safety

The current between your battery and inverter is extremely high and appropriate fusing is a must. A battery to inverter fuse size calculator is what informs you what you require as protection. Without a right fuse or breaker, short circuit may be very damaging or flammable. The size of the fuse will be determined by the power rating of your inverter, your battery voltage and the thickness of your wire.

The calculator provides you with the correct fuse rating of protecting your system but still allowing it to operate normally. This is a calculation that you do not want to guess on. Fusing well is inexpensive insurance that ensures the safety of your system and home.

Wrapping Up

There is no need of solar complexities. These seven calculators do the technical arithmetic and you can concentrate on making a working system. Be sure to start with your power requirements and build up to voltage, current and storage requirements.

Every calculator is the development of the other and will give you a full picture of what your system requires. Allow yourself time on the planning stage. It will be saving you so much money, and so much trouble if you get the numbers right now.