Prototype v4

Visual Solar Calculator

Drag the grid to mark a panel area, or click a device to watch the grid fill to exactly what it needs. Every cell is 10×10cm at true scale.

Real-world output
0W
0 cm² selected (0.00 m²)
Idealized (STC)
0W
≈ 80% real-world accuracy
Basis: 1000 W/m² irradiance, panel perpendicular to a clear unobstructed sun (Standard Test Conditions), 21% mono-crystalline conversion efficiency, no shading.
Real-world derate (~80%): inverter conversion + panel heat losses + soiling/wiring/mismatch, stacked multiplicatively — see references below.
Heat output (not electricity)
0W thermal
0 cm² selected (0.00 m²)
Water heated /hr, +30°C
0L
≈ 0 showers/hour
Solar thermal collectors heat fluid directly rather than generating electricity, so this can't be compared to the device list. Assumes ~55% collection efficiency (typical flat-plate range, see references).

Panel type

Click and drag to select area 0 cells
= 10 × 10 cm  ·  ref: one rooftop panel ≈ 170 cells (1.7 m²)

Click to size for…

Up to 1000W

Above 1000W

References

  1. Irradiance basis (1000 W/m² STC) and ~14% default system loss (86% DC derate): Dobos, A. P., PVWatts Version 5 Manual, NREL, 2014.
  2. Mono/poly-crystalline efficiency ranges: American Solar Energy Society — Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline.
  3. BIPV / thin-film efficiency range: Solar Mono vs Poly vs Thin-Film: Efficiency Tradeoffs.
  4. Solar thermal (flat-plate) collector efficiency, ~40–70%: Renewable Energy Hub — Types of Solar Thermal Collectors.
  5. Typical household appliance wattages (flashlight, laptop, desktop, hair dryer, heater — U.S. DOE-derived figures): Energy Use of Some Typical Home Appliances.
  6. Refrigerator and toaster wattage: Typical Wattages of Appliances — Solar Energy DC.
  7. Level 2 EV home charger power (7.2 kW / 30A, DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center-cited): What Is Level 2 Charging?