WattPayback
Calculator

Solar system size estimator

Estimate the kWp, panel count and roof area needed to offset a chosen share of your annual electricity use.

Your situation

kWh/yr
%

Defaults are starting points from typical published ranges — never facts. Change any value that does not match your situation.

kWh/kWp/yr
W
m²/kWp

Estimate only. Based on the assumptions you entered. Get a site-specific survey before spending money.

System size needed

3.20 kWp

Panel count

8

at 420 W each

Approx. roof area

17.6 m²

Expected annual generation

3,200 kWh

Offsetting 100% of annual consumption does not mean independence from the grid. Generation and demand rarely coincide hour by hour.

Formula with your numbers

kWp_needed = 4000 × 80/100 / 1000 = 3.200 kWp

panel_count = ceil(3.200 × 1000 / 420) = 8

roof_area = 3.200 × 5.5 = 17.60 m²

Frequently asked questions

Does 100% offset mean I am off-grid?+

No. Annual offset means yearly generation roughly matches yearly consumption. You still import at night and on dull days, and export surplus at other times, unless you have a very large battery and accept limited autonomy.

How much roof area do panels need?+

A rough planning factor is ~5–6 m² per kWp for typical crystalline modules including gaps. The factor is editable because module wattage and layout vary.

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