When attempting to identify how to use solar power either at home, maybe whilst out camping or when using a caravan or boat the last thing you want is to suddenly find you are without power. There is no hard and fast rule to calculate your exact energy consumption and thus the level of solar equipment you will require to meet those need, however you can use our solar power calculator to get a good idea of how to proceed. Firstly make a list of the appliances you intend to use with your solar panels. To get some idea of power consumption have a look at the following table.
Using the appliances below, the solar power calculator suggests that you will be using 500W of solar energy a day. Now in order to
meet that need, based on say the sun shining for 5 hours a day, you
would require 100W solar panels that would then generate 100W per hour (100W x 5 hrs
= 500W of the required consumption.) This energy would be stored in a leisure battery for use over
the longer period. Please note; solar panels do not hook up
directly to your appliances but to your leisure battery that can
either power 12V appliances directly or, using an inverter power,
your mains electric appliances.
In the diagram (above, top) most solar panel kits come complete with
a charge controller to regulate the flow of power to ensure no
sudden spikes. By charging during daylight/sunny hours, your
battery is then topped up for the power to be used as required
during other hours. When using our solar power calculator remember that you don't need to go 100% solar all at once. You may want to start off with say, 40W solar panels to power one item, then later, as you gain in confidence ~ or as your budget allows ~ add more solar panels for more equipment and join them together later. It really is that simple. In fact, its an approach we would recommend.
Name of
appliance
Carbon Footprint Calculator
Fuel Calculator
Typical Power
Consumption
Number of
hours use per day
Calculation
Laptop Computer
50W
19" Television
65W
12" Television
20W
12V Cooler
40W
Stereo System
50W
Clock Radio
10W
40W Light
10W
LED Floodlight
12W
Now, to use the solar power calculator simply multiply the
typical power consumption by the number of hours per day to
identify the power required. For example:
Name of
appliance
Typical Power
Consumption
Number of
hours use per day
Calculation
Laptop Computer
50W
3
150W
40W Light
10W
4
40W
12" Television
20W
4
80W
12V Cooler
40W
5
200W
Clock Radio
10W
3
30W
TOTAL
500 W
This free software program for you to download and use offline is designed to help people understand the impact of their CO2 lifestyle.
This calculator is a miles per gallon program designed to help you track your fuel mileage and fuel usage.
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