Solar Panel Compass: PV Calc

Solar Panel Compass is a practical field tool for solar panel alignment, tilt setup and basic PV system sizing.

Designed for installers, technicians, DIY users and anyone planning a small solar system, it combines phone sensors with simple solar calculations in one easy-to-use app.

SOLAR PANEL COMPASS

Use the compass to guide a panel toward the correct south-facing direction. The app shows your heading and gives clear left/right adjustment guidance until alignment is reached.

• Live compass heading
• South-facing alignment guidance
• True North option using device location
• Compass calibration warning
• Vibration feedback when aligned

PANEL TILT GUIDE

Set your required panel tilt and use your phone as an angle guide while positioning the panel.

• Live tilt measurement
• Adjustable target angle
• Raise/lower panel guidance
• Visual panel angle guide
• Alignment feedback when the target is reached

SOLAR POWER CALCULATOR

Enter the wattage of a solar panel and estimate its expected energy production.

View estimated:
• Daily energy production
• Monthly energy production
• Yearly energy production

Choose automatic GPS-based sun-hour estimation or use seasonal Summer and Winter modes.

ENERGY USAGE

Build a simple electricity-use profile from common appliances or add your own.

Enter:
• Appliance quantity
• Power in watts
• Daily operating hours

The app calculates daily and annual energy use and lets you compare seasonal consumption.

PV & BATTERY RECOMMENDATION

Use your estimated energy demand to create a practical starting point for system sizing.

The recommendation workspace can estimate:
• Total solar array size
• Number of solar panels
• Backup energy requirement
• Nominal battery capacity in kWh
• Battery capacity in Ah
• Number of battery modules
• Suggested battery charge current

Choose between Hybrid and 100% Off-Grid installation modes and adjust important design inputs including:

• Panel wattage
• Peak sun hours
• Solar system efficiency
• Backup days
• Battery recovery period
• LiFePO4 or Lead Acid / AGM battery
• 12 V, 24 V, 48 V or 51.2 V systems
• Battery depth of discharge
• Inverter efficiency
• Battery module capacity

SIMPLE FIELD TOOL

Solar Panel Compass is designed to keep the workflow clear: align the panel, set the tilt, estimate production, calculate energy needs and obtain a useful first sizing estimate without complicated engineering software.

Important: Solar production and battery recommendations are estimates for planning and comparison. Actual PV performance depends on location, season, shading, weather, equipment specifications, installation conditions and system losses. Always verify final electrical and battery sizing against equipment manufacturer requirements and applicable electrical standards.

Recent changes:
More accurate PV production estimates using location-based PVGIS data
Smart panel tilt and orientation recommendations
New PV String Check tool for inverter compatibility
Improved battery, inverter and appliance sizing
Installation checklist and Solar Updates
Better offline support, validation and reliability