Solar Panel Savings Calculator
Estimate the yearly production and value of a solar installation from its size and your climate.
Result
Production (kWh/year)
4,200
Value (per year)
840
How it works
A solar installation’s output depends on its peak capacity (kWp) and the sunshine where it lives. As orders of magnitude, each installed kWp yields about 1,100 kWh per year in temperate climates, 1,400 in sunny regions like the Mediterranean, and up to 1,700 in very sunny zones such as the Sahel or deserts — one of Africa’s great energy advantages. A 3 kWp system in a sunny region therefore produces around 4,200 kWh a year — comparable to a household’s consumption — worth about 840 per year at 0.20 per kWh. Real value depends on how much you self-consume versus feed into the grid, on orientation and shading, and slightly on temperature (panels lose a little efficiency when very hot). Use the result as a sizing estimate, then get a local quote with a production study.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a kWp?
Kilowatt-peak: the panel’s output under standard test conditions. With modern ~400 W panels, 1 kWp is roughly 2–3 panels; a 3 kWp system is about 7–8 panels.
Do panels produce anything when it’s cloudy?
Yes, but less — typically 10–25% of their clear-sky output under heavy clouds. Annual yield figures already average over weather.
What affects my real savings the most?
The share you self-consume: electricity you use directly replaces full-price kWh, while exported surplus is usually paid less. Orientation and shading come next.
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