A solar power calculator developed by Turku University of Applied Sciences helps users estimate the cost-effectiveness of solar panels for generating electricity at home

A solar power calculator developed by researchers helps buyers of solar panels assess the profitability of their investment. Generating your own solar power provides security, for example, during periods of high electricity prices.

If a buyer can assess which system is suitable for their household before contacting a solar panel seller, they will be able to make more informed purchasing decisions. Turku University of Applied Sciences has developed an open-source tool that enables the comparison and evaluation of the profitability of solar power systems.

Users can enter the location of their home into the Solar Power Calculator app and specify the characteristics of the roof, such as the roof type, orientation, slope, and available surface area. This information is needed to accurately estimate the output of the solar power system.  

“With this information, users can calculate how much solar power different types and sizes of systems generate,” says Hugo Huerta Medina, a senior specialist at Turku University of Applied Sciences and the developer of the calculator.  

Finally, the calculator estimates the long-term financial benefits of investing in the system. The calculations are based on average electricity prices, the ratio of household electricity consumption to production, and the system’s investment costs.  

Solar power is cost-effective and appealing, but support is needed for its adoption

The cost of solar panels has fallen significantly in recent years, making solar power generation profitable even for households. Over the past 15 years, the price of solar panels has dropped by about 90 percent, which is a dramatic decline for energy technology.  

– If you assessed the profitability of solar power generation even five years ago, it’s worth taking another look at the situation, says Professor Kati Miettunen of the University of Turku, who leads the RealSolar project examining solar power generation in Finland. 

In Finland, solar power cannot make you energy self-sufficient due to the dark winter, but during other seasons, having your own panels can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill. Although electricity prices in Finland are currently low, studies show that solar power generation in households is profitable. Generating your own electricity becomes even more cost-effective in the event of nationwide disruptions in energy production or distribution.

In addition to individual consumers, the calculator also provides support for solar power sizing for housing cooperatives. The “Energy Transition for Housing Cooperatives” project found that housing cooperatives needed more support to improve their capabilities in areas such as needs assessment, sizing, and competitive bidding. 

– The calculator sparked interest but also raised many questions, so advisory clinics were offered to housing associations, where, in addition to using the calculator, they could discuss issues related to solar power procurement and energy communities, says Aleksi Heinonen, project manager and senior specialist at Turku University of Applied Sciences. 

The calculator was developed as part of the Energy transition for apartment buildings and RealSolar projects. Development of the calculator and its features will continue.   

Additional information: