Photovoltaics for All
PV 4 All

Unbiased and free solar electricity sizing calculator for Finland with PV 4 All funding

22 July 2024
In Finland, there was no proper sizing calculator for solar power systems. The project partner Benet Solutions Oy and associated organization Central Finland Energy Agency developed an unbiased and free solar energy sizing calculator as part of the PV4All project.
Technical details

The calculator has been made in accordance with the Solar Guide of the Ministry of the Environment and Sitra, and its purpose is to provide consumers with a clear and impartial assessment of the sensible dimensioning of the solar power system.

You can estimate the monthly production of the solar power system to be installed on the roof and compare it with your own monthly consumption. In March to September, daylight consumption can be estimated in more detail by entering consumption data on operational electricity during the dark hours of the day into the calculator. The calculator shows an estimate of the system’s overproduction. In Finland, it is profitable to produce solar energy just for own use, but overproduction for sell is not profitable at the moment.

The picture shows an optimal situation where summertime production and daytime electricity consumption are approximately equal. Dark grey is the consumption of electricity, yellow is the PV production and light grey shows the consumption of dark hours.

The calculator shows an estimate of the system’s overproduction. The bigger, full circle is the total electricity consumption and yellow shows the amount of PV production. The smaller circle’s grey slice shows how much the production is going up for sale.

The calculator shows also the impact of solar power on the carbon footprint of your utility electricity.

Initial information and accessories consumer needs to use the calculator:

  • Location information:
  • residential area
  • roof angle
  • orientation of the panels to be installed
  • area
  • shading
  • Your monthly electricity consumption data from your electricity company

For a more accurate estimate in March to September, you will need hourly electricity consumption data during the dark time of day. To use the calculator, you need a computer and an Excel application.