Enter the Distance Modulus, Apparent Magnitude, Absolute Magnitude, and Extinction into the Cosmic Distance Ladder Calculator to get the Distance, Luminosity, Parallax, and Distance Method comparison.
Solar Panel Array Size
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Battery Bank Capacity
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Battery Bank (Amp Hours)
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Inverter Size
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Peak Sun Hours
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Estimated System Cost
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Peak sun hours vary by location and season. Most areas in the US receive 3-7 peak sun hours per day, with winter months typically having 2-4 hours. Our calculator uses your zip code to estimate this automatically.
Lithium batteries can be discharged to 80% depth while lead acid should only be discharged to 50%. Lithium batteries also last longer (10+ years vs 3-5 years) but cost more upfront.
List all your appliances with their wattage and daily usage hours. Multiply watts × hours for each appliance, then sum everything up. For example: 100W light × 5 hours = 500Wh per day.
Your inverter should be sized 20-25% larger than your peak load to handle surge currents and provide safety margin. Pure sine wave inverters are recommended for sensitive electronics.
Most off-grid systems are designed for 3-5 days of autonomy without sun. Areas with frequent cloudy weather may need 5-7 days, while sunny climates might only need 2-3 days.
Yes, but it's easier to plan for future expansion from the start. Make sure your charge controller and inverter can handle additional panels, and design your battery bank for easy expansion.
Solar panels last 25+ years, inverters 10-15 years, lithium batteries 10-15 years, and lead acid batteries 3-7 years. Proper maintenance extends all component lifespans.
Costs range from $15,000-$50,000+ depending on system size and components. Expect $3-8 per watt for the complete system including installation, with lithium systems costing more upfront but offering better long-term value.