Comment posted on Calculating Basic Solar Panel Watt Requirements and Costs by Tim and Trudy
Hi Sam,
You seem to be confused.
Okay – When we said you need solar panels that can produce 2390 watts in total, their inefficiencies are already taken into account when calculating the cost.
Put another way, if a solar panel is rated at producing 60watts, then that is its peak output, with inefficiencies of the panel already taken into account.
Hope that answers your question 
Tim and Trudy also commented
- Yes,
We agree that solar thermal technology is also very important.
You can read an article on passive solar design here. - Really! No solar? How deep south are you, Gary?
Anyway, we’re glad to hear you’re doing your part for the environment by being part of your Green Building Committee. Keep it up!
- Pleasure Gary.
Glad you got some value out of it. We were going to add a full-on solar power calculator for our readers to try out, but for now we think people can get a general idea of how much professionally installed solar power can cost them.
Perhaps we’ll add the calculator in the future…
- @ Rana
Thanks for the encouraging words. While this might not be the most accurate way to calculate solar power costs, it does give you a rough estimate of what a commercial solar power system could cost you.
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Hey Jo,Sorry if you never found this article up to scratch. Trudy and myself read over it again now. We wouldn’t go so far as to calling it empty, but it did lack some important details as you pointed out.
In fact, we have a better article (with video) on how a solar attic fan works and the benefits of using such a device. You can read here: Solar Attic Fan – 5 Clear Benefits
We are sure you’ll enjoy that article more!
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Very useful. I stumbled and dugg this too.
@ Rana
Thanks for the encouraging words. While this might not be the most accurate way to calculate solar power costs, it does give you a rough estimate of what a commercial solar power system could cost you.
Nice…simple and easy to understand. Thanks!
Pleasure Gary.
Glad you got some value out of it. We were going to add a full-on solar power calculator for our readers to try out, but for now we think people can get a general idea of how much professionally installed solar power can cost them.
Perhaps we’ll add the calculator in the future…
No solar anything down here in the deep south. Send a group this way! I/we need a source/contact. I am getting my HERS Rater Cert soon and am the co-chair of our local Home Builders Committee on Green Building.
Really! No solar? How deep south are you, Gary?
Anyway, we’re glad to hear you’re doing your part for the environment by being part of your Green Building Committee. Keep it up!
Thanks very much for the explanation. I had a doubt though that I was hoping you could clarify. Where does the efficiency of the panel come into this? I don’t think it’s included in the 1.25 multiplication factor since those are the wiring/inverter/battery etc losses.
So if 2390 is the output power after the losses, the input power must be 2390/0.15 (for a 15% efficient panel). This equals 15933W. Let’s say 16kW. Am I correct so far? Now how do I tie this 16kW to the panel rating?
Sorry if the question doesn’t make much sense.
Hi Sam,
You seem to be confused.
Okay – When we said you need solar panels that can produce 2390 watts in total, their inefficiencies are already taken into account when calculating the cost.
Put another way, if a solar panel is rated at producing 60watts, then that is its peak output, with inefficiencies of the panel already taken into account.
Hope that answers your question
This shows how costly Solar PV can be without tax benefits. Thats why I think more emphasis should be given to solar thermal technology.
Yes,
We agree that solar thermal technology is also very important.
You can read an article on passive solar design here.
So has anyone REALLY made their own homemade solar panels? Honestly, I am scared of getting scammed with all the DIY manuals and DVDs and such. I just want to know if some one really can . I really want to try it if it is possible.