How do I size my solar panel array?

Calculate daily energy consumption (kWh/day), divide by peak sun hours, and add 20-30% for system losses and future growth.

How much battery storage do I need?

Multiply daily consumption by desired days of autonomy (typically 2-3 days), then divide by depth of discharge (80% for lithium, 50% for lead-acid).

Should I use microinverters or string inverters?

String inverters are more cost-effective for unshaded roofs. Microinverters work better with shading, mixed orientations, or for maximum production monitoring.

What affects solar panel efficiency?

Temperature (reduces efficiency), shading, tilt angle, orientation, soiling, and system losses from wiring and inverters all impact performance.

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Design your complete solar energy system with location-based optimization, battery sizing, and economic analysis.

Location & Environment

Set your location for accurate solar irradiance data

Quick Location Select

Custom Location (Optional)

Latitude (°)

Equator: 0° | Tropics: ±23.5° | Arctic Circle: ±66.5°

Climate Region

Panel Orientation

Tilt Angle: 35°

Peak Sun Hours (h/day)

Auto-calculated from latitude/region

System Losses (%)

Wiring, temperature, soiling

Inverter Efficiency (%)

Typical: 85-95%

Panel Configuration

Configure your solar panel array specifications

Panel Wattage (W)

Number of Panels

System Voltage

Total Array Power

4,000W

Inverter Selection & Site Conditions

Choose the right inverter based on your site characteristics

Inverter Type

Site Conditions (affects inverter choice)

Roof has shading issues (trees, chimneys, etc.)

Panels face different directions (e.g., some south, some east/west)

Have Net Energy Metering (NEM 1:1)

✓ Good Choice

• All-In-One (AIO) inverter recommended for battery systems
• Built-in MPPT avoids double inverters (panels + battery)
• No shading issues detected

When to use each type:

AIO Inverter (Battery Systems): All-In-One inverters include built-in MPPT charge controllers. Avoids double inversion for maximum efficiency.

String Inverter (No Battery): Requires separate charge controller. Cost-effective for grid-tie without storage.

Microinverters: Best for shading with NEM, mixed orientations, or expanding maxed-out string inverter via gen port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and answers about this topic

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