Solar Sizing Calculator
Use our solar sizing calculator below to estimate system size in just a few steps.
- Pick a region: Determines your average Peak Sun Hours (PSH).
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Choose Input Type:
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Option 1: Appliance Load (Recommended)
Enter details of the appliances you want to power. -
Option 2: Daily kWh
If you already know your daily energy consumption (e.g. from your electricity bill). -
Option 3: Daily Spend (UGX)
Estimates energy needs based on how much you spend daily on electricity.
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Option 1: Appliance Load (Recommended)
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Select Mode:
- Simple Mode (For Quick Estimates)
- Advanced Mode (For Experts & Technicians)
- Calculate: View your battery, panel, inverter & controller estimates.
Results are estimates only. Please consult a qualified technician below for a full assessment.
Quick Solar Sizing Guide for Uganda
Not sure where to start? Use the typical ranges below as a reference, then use the calculator above for a precise figure based on your actual appliances.
| Home / Site Type | Typical Loads | Solar Panel Size | Battery Bank | Inverter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | Lights, fan, phone, TV | 0.5 – 1 kW PV | 1 – 2 kWh | 600 W – 1 kVA |
| 2–3 bedroom home | + fridge, decoder, laptop | 1.5 – 2.5 kW PV | 4 – 6 kWh | 2 – 3 kVA |
| 4–5 bedroom home | + air conditioning, washing machine | 3 – 5 kW PV | 8 – 12 kWh | 5 kVA |
| Small business / office | Computers, fridges, AC, lights | 5 – 10 kW PV | 15 – 30 kWh | 10 kVA |
| Farm / water pump | Pump, cold storage, irrigation | 3 – 15 kW PV | Optional | Per pump kW |
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar Sizing in Uganda
A solar sizing calculator estimates the solar panel capacity (kW), battery bank (kWh), inverter rating (kVA), and MPPT charge controller size needed to power your home or business reliably. You enter your appliances or daily kWh consumption, and the tool uses Uganda's regional peak sun hour data to size each component.
A typical 3-bedroom house in Uganda running lights, fans, a TV, decoder, and a fridge needs approximately 1.5–2.5 kW of solar panels — about 4–8 panels of 300–400 W each. Use the appliance-load input in the calculator above for a precise figure based on your actual loads.
For a 3-bedroom home in Uganda, a 2–3 kVA hybrid inverter is usually sufficient. Businesses or homes with air conditioning or heavy machinery may need 5–10 kVA or more. A hybrid inverter both charges batteries from solar and can draw from the grid when needed.
To power a typical Ugandan home through the night (6–8 hours), you will need a battery bank of 3–6 kWh for modest loads, or 10–20 kWh for air-conditioned homes. The calculator accounts for depth of discharge (DoD) and autonomy days to give you the right bank size.
Uganda averages 4.5–5.5 peak sun hours (PSH) per day depending on region and season. Kampala averages about 5.0 PSH while northern Uganda (e.g. Gulu) can reach 5.5 PSH. The calculator uses location-specific PSH values so your panel sizing is accurate for your region.
The SolarMarket solar sizing calculator provides a reliable engineering estimate based on your appliance loads and Uganda-specific solar irradiance data. It is accurate enough for budgeting and supplier quotations. A qualified solar technician should verify the final system design before installation.
Yes. The calculator supports homes, businesses, and institutions. Enter your appliances or daily kWh. For larger commercial loads, switch to Advanced Mode and enable three-phase output for accurate multi-phase sizing.
An MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller regulates power flowing from solar panels to batteries, optimising panel output for maximum efficiency. Many modern hybrid inverters include a built-in MPPT, eliminating the need for a separate unit — the calculator tells you whether one is needed.
Autonomy days is the number of cloudy or low-sun days your battery bank should power your home without any solar input. A setting of 1–2 days is standard in Uganda; rainy-season sizing may use 2–3 days for a more conservative, reliable estimate.
Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are lighter, last longer (2,000–6,000 cycles), and can safely discharge to 80–90% DoD. Lead-acid (flooded or AGM) batteries are cheaper upfront but heavier, shorter-lived (~500 cycles), and limited to 50% DoD. The SolarMarket calculator supports both types and sizes the bank accordingly.
Yes. Switch to Advanced Mode and select "Three Phase" under the Phase option. Three-phase sizing is suited for industrial equipment, large water pumps, and commercial premises that require balanced three-phase power output.
Yes. The SolarMarket solar sizing calculator is completely free to use with no registration required. After calculating, you can request free, no-obligation quotes from verified Ugandan solar suppliers directly from the results page.
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