What are watts, kilowatts and kilowatt hours?
What are watts, kilowatts and kilowatt hours? Solarize Projects
The
size of a solar electric system is often described in watts (W) or
kilowatts (kW). One kW = 1,000 W. Watts are a unit of power, just like
the horsepower of an engine. They express the maximum possible output
of energy the system can produce at any point in time. When sunlight
strikes solar electric panels, they produce electricity that is
measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). Kilowatt hours are the units of
energy you buy from your utility and use in your home to run your
appliances, lighting and electronics. In
Oregon, a good rule of thumb is that 1,000 watts of solar electric
panels require about 100 square-feet of space and will typically
produce 1,000-1,300 kWh of electricity each year. If you double or
triple the size of the system, you will double or triple the amount of
electricity it produces.
Community Action!
Contribute 
Workshops and Events
