BigBattery's Power System Sizing Tool
Step 1: Enter Your Zip Code
Use the Zip Code of the property where the system will be installed.* Our calculator will use the average winter sun hours for that Zip Code in order to provide a conservative estimate for your system size.
BigBattery uses the lowest daily sun hour average that the system’s install location can expect. We do this for sizing home and commercial ESS because the most important design parameter of any power system is that it is able to produce all of a home’s energy requirements in even the poorest solar conditions.
What Is The Average Peak
Sun Hour Range In My Area?
Going “Solar” isn’t right for everyone. Some areas of the country simply do not provide enough “Solar Irradiance” or have the “Sun Hours” per day to justify installing a solar system. Your geographical location plays a big part in how many average peak sun hours you get on a daily basis. The ‘Peak Sun Hours Map’ is a good illustration of how varied our country is when it comes to average solar irradiance.
Use the “Drop-Down” box below to select the city closest to you to see the sun hour range for your area. Search different cities to compare how your area’s solar resources stack up to other parts of the country.
Peak Sun Hours Map
Step 2: Completely Fill Out The Daily Load Calculator With ALL Electricity Loads
Use the Load Calculator tool below to estimate your daily energy usage. Input ALL electrical loads and appliances that will be powered by the solar and/or backed-up by batteries. To properly size the system, we need the maximum estimated daily usage for that electrical equipment year round. Most Off-Grid homes are designed with electrical loads in mind. They generally use energy efficient appliances and major heating loads such as space heating and water heating are usually not electric. Make sure you verify what is (or is not) electric and include the electric air conditioning, space heating, cooking, water heating, well pumps, clothes washing/drying, etc. into the daily load calculator form.
*Use the “Add New Row” button to add additional electrical loads to the calculator until ALL of the loads are accounted for.
Input your highest estimated daily usage for all electric appliances year round. Be sure to include air conditioning, space and water heating, clothes washing and drying, well pumps, and electric cooking appliances, if applicable.
Total Watts - (Peak Load)
Total Watt Hours per Day:
If you already have this total, you can enter it here.
Step 3: Calculate Your System Size
We’ll estimate your system size based on the list of appliances and energy usage that you entered. Keep in mind that this is only an estimate, and there are many factors that can influence system sizing. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us for help designing your project.
Click ‘Calculate My System Size’ below and our tool will instantly deliver a system sizing estimate based on your custom load evaluation and average daily sun hours.
Step 3: Calculate Your System Size
Minimum PV
System Size00.00
KilowattsAs previously mentioned, this is a basic system size estimation. It is intended to give you a general idea of what your power system capacity needs would be. Your estimated system size is designed to ensure you have the energy needed to power the daily loads you entered into the load calculator. There are many other factors unique to your specific location and application that can affect the size of the system you need. Factors such as shading implications, azimuth & tilt of the solar panels, unaccounted peak load variations, or available space in your main service panel (MSP), to name a few. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us for help designing your project.
