Question

If you are designing a solar array to have an operating power target of 4.2 kW, and you have selected panels with a 260 W rating, how many panels do you need for the array? (Don't exceed 4.3 kW system power)

Answer 1

Thus 16 panels are required for the array.

Explanation:

Given data:

• Operating power target = 4.2 kW
• Power of selected panels = 260 W

Solution:

Conversion of KW to Watt.

= 4.2 x 1000 W = 4200 W

Panel Rating = 260 W

Number of Panels required =  4200/260 = 16.15

If we use 16 panels then power = 260 x 16 =  4160 W  = 4.16 kW

If we use 17 Panels then power = 260 x 17  = 4420 W = 4.42 kW >  4.3 kW

Thus 16 panels are required for the array.