How many solar panels do I need for my home in Jamaica?

The number of panels depends on your monthly electricity consumption, roof area, and panel wattage. A typical Jamaican home using J$11,000/month in electricity at J$62/kWh would need approximately 8-12 panels (400W each) for a 3-5 kW system. Use our calculator with your actual bill for an accurate estimate.

What is the payback period for solar panels in the Caribbean?

Caribbean locations benefit from high solar irradiance (5-6 peak sun hours daily), resulting in typical payback periods of 4-8 years depending on local electricity rates and system costs. Jamaica and Barbados, with higher electricity rates, often see faster payback.

What are peak sun hours (PSH) in the Caribbean?

Peak Sun Hours represent the equivalent number of hours per day when solar irradiance averages 1,000 W/m2. Caribbean locations typically receive 4.7-5.8 PSH daily, with Barbados at 5.8 and Suriname at 4.7. Our calculator uses location-specific PSH values for accurate sizing.

Solar Panel Array Sizer - Caribbean Solar Calculator

New to this? Plain-English guide

Peak Sun Hours (PSH) — how many hours of full-strength sunshine your location effectively gets per day. Jamaica averages about 5.5. More sun hours means fewer panels for the same power.

Installed Cost per Watt — the all-in price of a system (panels, inverter, mounting, labour, permits) divided by its size in watts. A 5,000W system at US$3/W costs about US$15,000 total. Caribbean installs typically run US$2.50–3.50/W.

kW vs kWh — kW (kilowatts) is how much power the system can produce at once; kWh (kilowatt-hours) is energy used or produced over time. Your bill charges you per kWh.

System Losses — power lost to heat, wiring, dust, and the inverter before it reaches your outlets. Typically 14% — the calculator already accounts for it.

Exchange Rate (per USD) — solar equipment is priced in US dollars, but your bill and savings are in local currency. This converts between them; update it to today's rate.

Payback Period — how many years of electricity savings it takes to recover what you paid for the system. After that, the power is effectively free.

Location

Units

Currency

Rate per kWh

Auto-populated typical rate. Actual rate varies with fuel surcharge — check your bill.

Sizing Method

Monthly Electricity Bill

Available Roof Area (sq ft)

Panel Wattage

Panel Efficiency (%)

Panel Length (m)

Panel Width (m)

System Losses (%)

Cost per Watt (USD)

Cost Breakdown (%)

Panels %

Inverter %

Installation %

BOS/Wiring %

Permitting %

Loan Financing

Loan Term (years)

Interest Rate (%)

Tilt Angle

Panel Orientation

Shading

Project Management

Load Saved Project

Calculation Method: System sized to offset 100% of estimated consumption. Production = System kW × PSH × 365 × derating. Derating includes inverter/wiring losses, tilt, orientation, and shading. Cost per watt is total installed cost in USD.

WattWorks Design - Caribbean Solar Experts: Serving Jamaica and the Caribbean with professional solar design, electrical engineering, and technical consultation. Need a detailed solar proposal or site assessment? Visit WattWorks Design

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Solar Panel Guide

How Solar Sizing Works
Solar panels are rated in watts (W). A 400W panel produces 400 watts under standard test conditions (STC: 1,000 W/m2 irradiance, 25°C cell temperature). Real-world production depends on peak sun hours, system losses, tilt angle, and shading.

Peak Sun Hours (PSH)
PSH is the equivalent hours per day of full 1,000 W/m2 irradiance. The Caribbean averages 4.7–5.8 PSH, significantly higher than temperate regions (UK: 3.0). Higher PSH means fewer panels needed for the same energy production.

Panel Wattage Comparison

Type

Efficiency

Best For

330W

18.0%

Budget installs

400W

20.0%

Standard residential

450W

20.5%

Mid-range

500W

21.0%

High-performance

550W

22.0%

Premium / commercial

System Losses (Typical 14%)
• Inverter efficiency: 3–5%
• Wiring/connection losses: 2–3%
• Soiling (dust/dirt): 2–5%
• Temperature derating: 2–5% (significant in Caribbean heat)
• Module mismatch: 1–2%

Tilt Angle
Optimal tilt equals your latitude. Caribbean locations (10–25°N) benefit from 10–20° tilt. A 15° tilt is optimal for most Caribbean installations. Flat (0°) roofs lose ~13% production but simplify installation.

Caribbean Electricity Rates
Caribbean electricity is among the most expensive globally due to imported fossil fuel dependence. Jamaica's effective rate is ~J$62/kWh (including fuel surcharge). This high cost makes solar especially attractive with payback periods of 4–7 years.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for preliminary sizing. Actual production depends on site-specific conditions including exact location, roof orientation, local weather patterns, and equipment specifications. Always consult a qualified solar installer for detailed system design and permitting.

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Results

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System Size (DC)

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Number of Panels

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Estimated System Cost

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Array Area

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Monthly Production

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Annual Production

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Monthly Savings

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Annual Savings

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Simple Payback Period

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CO2 Offset

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Roof Coverage

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Solar Panel Array Sizer

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System Sizing & Performance