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Power, energy and peak rating - three similar letters that decide whether your system is the right size.
Image: Solar power, Nieder-Olm (P1090617) by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Three terms cause most confusion when people shop for solar in Raipur: kW, kWh and kWp. Understanding them takes five minutes and prevents oversizing and overpaying.
Quick answer: kW is how fast power flows, kWh is how much energy you use or make, and kWp is the panel rating; 1 kW of panels makes roughly 4 to 4.5 units a day in Raipur.
Think of kW as the width of a tap and kWh as the water in the bucket. A bigger tap fills the bucket faster; the bucket is what you pay for. Your bill charges for kWh, not kW.
| System | Daily units (approx.) | Monthly units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 4 - 4.5 | 120 - 135 |
| 2 kW | 8 - 9 | 240 - 270 |
| 3 kW | 12 - 13.5 | 360 - 400 |
| 5 kW | 20 - 22 | 600 - 670 |
Divide your average monthly units by 120 to get kW. A family using 360 units a month needs about 3 kW. See the solar terms glossary for other words.
A panel's kWp rating is measured in laboratory conditions of strong light and 25 degrees Celsius. In Raipur summer the cells get much hotter, dust settles, and wiring and inverter add small losses. As a result a 3 kWp system seldom delivers more than about 80 per cent of the theoretical figure, which is why we plan with 4 to 4.5 units per kW per day instead of 5 or more.
| Season | Typical daily units per kW | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Nov - Jan) | 4.0 - 4.5 | Cool panels, clear skies, lower sun angle |
| Spring (Feb - Apr) | 4.5 - 5.0 | Long clear days |
| Summer (May - Jun) | 4.0 - 4.5 | Heat reduces efficiency |
| Monsoon (Jul - Sep) | 2.5 - 3.5 | Cloud cover |
| Post-monsoon (Oct) | 4.0 - 4.5 | Clean panels, clear skies |
These are indicative figures and will vary by year and site.
If your bill shows 420 units in May and 260 in August, the annual average might be near 340 units. Dividing by 120 gives roughly 2.8 kW, so a 3 kW system fits. Then check the roof for 30 square metres of unshaded space. See the glossary for other terms you may meet.
Convert bill to kW the easy way. For a method to compare providers, see how to build your own list of the top 10 solar companies in Raipur. To act on it, book a survey with a solar company in Raipur and ask for the solar subsidy in Raipur to be worked out in writing. Compare firms with the best solar company in Raipur questions, check PM Surya Ghar Yojna in Raipur for the slabs and see how solar installation in Raipur works. Our solar in Raipur overview and solar Raipur guide add local detail, and the blog has more.
Roughly 3 units per hour at peak sun; averaged over a day it gives about 12 to 13 units.
The rating of the panels under standard test conditions.
Around 1,300 to 1,500 in Chhattisgarh, depending on shade, dust and design.
kWh, usually called units.
Because buying kW to cover kWh needs the conversion above.
Visit C-29, Sector 3, Devendra Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492001, call 083051 31420 or send your details online for a free survey and a written quotation, with the subsidy worked out. Our solar installation in Raipur team replies the same working day.
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