1. What is Cost per Watt?

Cost per watt is a metric used to evaluate electricity costs at a more granular level than cost per kilowatt-hour. It's particularly useful for government energy planning, infrastructure projects, and comparing energy efficiency of devices.

2. How the Calculation Works

The calculator uses a simple conversion:

Where:

• Cost/W — Cost per watt in pounds sterling
• Cost/kWh — Cost per kilowatt-hour in pounds sterling
• 1000 — Conversion factor (1000 watts = 1 kilowatt)

Explanation: Since 1 kWh equals 1000 watt-hours, dividing the cost per kWh by 1000 gives the cost for a single watt-hour.

3. Importance in Energy Planning

Details: Cost per watt calculations are essential for government energy policy, infrastructure budgeting, and comparing the long-term costs of different energy solutions. It helps standardize cost comparisons across different scales of energy consumption.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the current electricity cost per kilowatt-hour in pounds sterling. The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent cost per watt-hour.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is cost per watt important for government planning?
A: It allows for more precise cost comparisons when evaluating energy projects of different scales and durations.

Q2: How does this differ from residential electricity pricing?
A: While residential customers typically see prices per kWh, government projects often need watt-level granularity for large-scale planning.

Q3: What's the typical cost per watt in the UK?
A: Based on average electricity prices (around £0.28/kWh in 2023), cost per watt would be approximately £0.00028.

Q4: Can this be used for renewable energy projects?
A: Yes, it's particularly useful for comparing the operating costs of renewable vs traditional energy sources.

Q5: How often should this calculation be updated?
A: Whenever electricity prices change significantly, especially for long-term infrastructure projects.