Your Appliance List
▾| Component | Specification | Cost (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | — | — |
| Battery Bank | — | — |
| Inverter | — | — |
| Installation | ~20% of equipment | — |
| Total Estimated Cost | — | |
Solar System Sizing for Africa — How It Works
Getting the right solar system size is critical. Too small and your batteries run out; too large and you overpay. Our calculator adds up your appliance wattage, accounts for your country's peak sun hours, and recommends the minimum viable system with 1.5 days backup storage.
Disclaimer: Cost estimates are indicative. Get formal quotes from certified installers for accurate pricing.
Send every installer the same calculated load brief
Calculate the appliance list once, then copy one consistent handoff containing the actual load, daily energy, country solar assumption, panel array, battery bank, inverter size, and modeled cost.
- Comparable quotes: suppliers receive the same appliance-level demand instead of a separate rough estimate.
- Visible assumptions: the brief names the solar margin, battery target, inverter headroom, dataset month, and cost limitation.
- Safety boundary: motor surge, roof condition, shading, protection, wiring, and earthing still require an installer check.
Private by default. Nothing is saved automatically. The brief contains appliance and sizing data only; copy it only when you choose.
Calculated installer brief
Generated only from the appliance result above—no second estimate and no automatic storage.
No appliance or sizing data has been copied.
Solar Sizing Calculator FAQ
How does the Solar Sizing Calculator estimate system size?
It totals appliance watts and daily runtime, applies the selected country's peak-sun assumption, adds a 25% solar production margin, targets 1.5 days of battery energy, and adds 20% inverter headroom.
Does the calculator model appliance startup surge?
No. The inverter estimate includes general connected-load headroom but does not model the exact startup surge of pumps, compressors, air conditioners, or motors. Ask an installer to verify nameplate surge ratings.
What should I send installers for comparable solar quotes?
Calculate once, then copy the installer brief with the country assumption, appliance load list, daily energy, panel array, battery bank, inverter size, modeled cost, and verification checklist.
Review the solar sizing brief before purchase
Use appliance load and country assumptions to estimate solar array, battery, inverter, and installation requirements for a first quote conversation.
Local-first estimate. No live quote or official approval is performed.
What to check
- Methodology: convert appliance watts and usage into daily energy demand, then estimate panel, battery, inverter, and cost needs.
- Verify appliance draw, backup hours, panel yield, shading, roof condition, battery chemistry, inverter surge, wiring, earthing, and installer credentials.
- Copy the installer brief so suppliers quote the same load and backup target.
Limitations
- Disclaimer: planning estimate only, not an electrical design, installer quote, utility approval, warranty, or safety sign-off.
- Tariffs, fuel prices, battery condition, solar yield, and equipment costs can change quickly.
- Source/reference note: verify against manufacturer datasheets, local utility/fuel prices, installer guidance, and applicable electrical standards.
Privacy note: the calculator runs in your browser. Do not paste account numbers, installer contracts, or private customer data into notes you plan to share.