1. What is VA vs Watts?

VA (Volt-Amperes) represents apparent power in an electrical system, while Watts represent real power. The difference between them is the power factor, which accounts for phase differences between voltage and current in AC systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power equation:

Where:

• \( W \) — Real power in Watts
• \( VA \) — Apparent power in Volt-Amperes
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: For solar panel systems, this calculation helps determine the actual usable power from the apparent power rating.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial in solar systems because it affects how much of the apparent power (VA) can actually be used as real power (Watts). Typical power factors for solar inverters range from 0.8 to 1.0.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the VA rating from your solar equipment specifications and the power factor (default is 0.8 if unknown). The calculator will show the equivalent real power in Watts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is VA different from Watts?
A: VA includes both real power (Watts) and reactive power (VARs). Only the real power can do actual work.

Q2: What's a typical power factor for solar systems?
A: Most grid-tied solar inverters operate at power factors between 0.8 and 1.0, with many modern systems maintaining 0.95 or higher.

Q3: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Values above 1 would violate fundamental physics laws.

Q4: How does this affect solar system sizing?
A: You need to account for power factor when matching solar equipment to your loads to ensure adequate real power is available.

Q5: Should I use VA or Watts for system specifications?
A: For most residential solar applications, Watts are more meaningful as they represent usable power. However, equipment ratings often use VA.