Solar array
Planning formula: daily energy ÷ peak sun hours ÷ system efficiency × target coverage.
Panel count is rounded up to a whole panel. Seasonal weather, shading, orientation, temperature, clipping, dirt, and degradation affect production.
Transparent calculations
Methods, assumptions, and limits.
SolarLab shows the planning relationships behind its recommendations. These methods support early decisions; they do not replace code-compliant design or site verification.
Battery storage
Planning formula: average protected load × backup hours ÷ depth of discharge ÷ system efficiency.
Battery BMS current, cell temperature, cycle life, communications, surge, and inverter compatibility still require verification.
Inverter
Planning formula: simultaneous load × headroom, rounded to the next common inverter size.
Motor-start and compressor surge must be checked against actual equipment data rather than one universal multiplier.
Roof fit
Available width and length are reduced by the selected setback. Whole panel rows and columns are then placed inside the remaining geometry.
The basic model does not certify structure, wind loading, waterproofing, shade, fire access, or local roof-clearance requirements.
DC conductors
DC voltage drop uses the complete positive and negative conductor path. Low-voltage battery systems can carry high current even at modest power.
PV and battery conductors must also be checked for insulation voltage, temperature, grouping, fault current, connectors, and termination ratings.
AC conductors
Single-phase and three-phase circuits use different voltage-drop geometry and current relationships. AC load power factor can affect current.
Final conductor selection must coordinate with ampacity, derating, breaker rating, fault current, and installation method.
Protection
Breaker and fuse tools round expected current and design margin to common protective-device ratings.
Voltage rating, interrupting capacity, conductor ampacity, equipment terminal limits, selectivity, and manufacturer instructions remain mandatory checks.
Country profiles
Profiles change voltage, frequency, terminology, currency, and common planning defaults.
A country profile is not a statement that every result complies with that jurisdiction. Professional validation is required before any compliance claim.
Calculation update history
v1.16Community Beta: hosted feedback hooks, privacy-safe plan sharing, social share cards, quote checking, Philippine net-metering guide, real-build case study, canonical/social metadata, sitemap and indexing readiness.
v1.15Simplified navigation, compact calculator pages, Simple and Advanced views, reduced roof inputs, generic cost labels, and clarified 48 V-class / 51.2 V nominal LiFePO4 terminology.
v1.12Generic design components, guided Full Designer onboarding, equipment catalogue, custom product entry, marketplace-link confirmation, and compatibility confidence levels.
v1.11Privacy-first local bill scanning, extraction-confidence review, confirmed multi-month averaging, neutral reference data, and account-ready documentation.
v1.10Battery-optional hybrid workflow, itemised marketplace and hardware-store BOS reference, battery-free core cost, and battery-backup add-on costing.
v1.9Editable equipment-price baseline, itemised cost summary, localStorage pricing migration, and removal of generic per-kW double counting.
v1.8AIKO 655 W and PowMr 6.2 kW / 5.12 kWh baseline equipment integration, unit-based battery sizing, and exact panel-cost planning.
v1.7Guided workflow, project profiles, transparent methods, report separation, accessibility and performance hooks.
v1.6Approachable product-style layout and connected project experience.
v1.5Quick Start, separate AC/DC wire tools, Wiki feed, and competitor benchmarking.