Panels and Turbines

This calculator will connect power & energy units in a meaningful way. There are five parts, that logically build towards informing you on your decision to buy solar panels or wind turbines.

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Or, jump to a section.

- Energy Usage
- Energy Cost
- How many turbines?
- Panel Effectiveness
- Turbine Effectiveness

by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 1

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(1) How much electrical energy do you use? (Use only one method at a time.)

Method 1: How much is your electrical bill each month? (in $)

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Method 2: How much electrical power do you use? (in kW)

Calculate!

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

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Part 1 Results

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Here are the results:
(explanation below)

- Power Level (kW)

- Energy Used

- # of Homes

Explanation:

Your power level of results in kWh of electrical energy use annually. (For comparison, the average American household uses 10,900 kWh of electrical energy each year. So you are using the equivalent of households. Note: Method 2 assumes electrical energy at $0.10/kWh.)

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 2

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(2) How much does energy cost you yearly? (Fill out both parts.)

How much electrical energy do you use? (in kWh a year)

How much do you pay for such energy? ($ per kWh)

(Note that an average American household uses 10,900 kWh of electricity each year.)

Calculate!

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 2 Results

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Results:
(explanation below)

- Energy Usage (kWh)

- Cost ($/kWh)

- Annual Energy Expense

So, the kWh that you use (at $/kWh) costs you $.

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 3

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(3) How many solar panels or wind turbines does your home (or city) need?

How many people live in your home/city?

Calculate!

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 3 Results

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Results:
(explanation below)

- Population

- Energy Usage (kWh)

- Solar Panel coverage,

- # of Wind Turbines required (1.6 MW each)

Your home's/city's people need (or ) of PV panels or wind turbines to supply all its electricity.

Note #1: This takes into account residential electricity only.
Note #2: This assumes 1,100 kWh/m2 annual energy production for PV panels, and 1.6 MW turbines with 35% efficiency.
Note #3: Since consistent sun and wind resources are not available year round at all locations, it is advisable that a mix of the two sources would be most desirable.

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 4

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(4) How much electrical energy should you expect to get from solar panels?

How many panels are going to be put up?

What is the wattage (in W) of each panel?

How many hours of "full sun" (average) are received at the location daily? click here for help determining this value Note: One "full sun" hour is equal to 1 kWh/m2 per day.

Calculate!

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 4 Results

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- # of PV Panels

- Wattage (W)

- Full Sun Hours

- Energy Produced (kWh)

- # of Homes

So, this number () of w panels, each receiving hours (full sun) daily, should produce kWh of energy each year.

For comparison, the average American household uses 10,900 kWh of electrical energy each year. So these panel(s) would be producing the equivalent of households' electricity needs.

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 5

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(5) How much electrical energy should you expect to get from wind turbines?

How many turbines are going to be put up?

What is the wattage (in kW) of the turbine(s)?

What is the efficiency of the turbine(s) given the wind profiles at the location?

Calculate!

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC

Part 5 Results

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- # of Turbines

- Wattage (kW)

- Efficiency

- Energy Produced (kWh)

- # of Homes

So, this number () of kW turbines, working with an efficiency of , should produce kWh of energy each year.

For comparison, the average American household uses 10,900 kWh of electrical energy each year. So these turbine(s) would be producing the equivalent of households' electricity needs.

The End.

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by Peter Schwartzman and MGC