Note: This design calculator uses LibreOffice. This is a free alternative to Microsoft Office which you can download here.

Additional Details:

There are three main tabs in this design calculator. All three will give you similar results for sizing your system. However each one can use different inputs depending on what data you have available.

1) Estimate with Monthly Power: This tab allows you to estimate the solar system you will need if you have an estimated power usage from an old bill or from a house with a similar energy usage.

2) Estimate with Electric Bill: This tab allows you to estimate the solar system you will need if you have the $ of the different charges from your electric bill.

3) Estimate with Appliance: This tab allows you to estimate the size of a solar system you will need based on an estimate of the appliances that will be included in your place.

All three tabs will give you estimates for several different types of systems (On Grid, Off Grid) and several different installation types.

1) 2D tracking system: This solar system tracks the sun across the sky each day.

2) 1D tracking system: This system is adjusted according to the seasons. During the winter the Sun is low on the horizon so it is tilted at a steeper angle to capture more sunlight. In the summer the sun is higher in the sky and the panels are tilted at a shallower angle to capture more sunlight.

3) Fixed Mounting System at the ideal angle: This system mounts the solar panels at a fixed angle according to the average sun angle for your location.

4) Fixed Mounting System at available angle: This system mounts the solar panels at an angle other than the ideal angle. For example if you are mounting solar panels on your roof it might not be at the ideal angle so it will generate slightly less power during certain seasons.