1. What is Price per Watt?

Price per watt is a metric used to compare electricity costs on a per-watt basis, derived from the more commonly quoted price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This conversion helps in understanding small-scale energy costs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Cost/W} \) — Price per watt (same currency as input)
• \( \text{Cost/kWh} \) — Price per kilowatt-hour
• 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 per watt-hour.

3. Importance of Price per Watt Calculation

Details: This calculation is particularly useful for:

• Comparing electricity costs for small devices
• Calculating operating costs of low-power electronics
• Understanding energy costs at smaller scales than kWh
• Making energy cost comparisons more intuitive for small appliances

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter the cost per kilowatt-hour in your local currency
• The result will be in the same currency per watt-hour
• For accurate results, use your actual electricity rate

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why calculate price per watt?
A: It helps understand the cost of running small devices and makes energy costs more tangible for low-power applications.

Q2: How does this relate to device power consumption?
A: Multiply the price per watt by a device's wattage and hours of use to estimate its operating cost.

Q3: What's a typical price per watt?
A: At $0.15/kWh, price per watt-hour would be $0.00015/W. Values will vary by location and electricity provider.

Q4: Can I use this for solar power calculations?
A: Yes, this can help compare grid electricity costs with solar generation costs on a per-watt basis.

Q5: Is this the same as price per watt of solar panels?
A: No, that's a different metric (installation cost per watt of capacity). This calculator is for energy consumption costs.