kilowatt-peak

Kilowatt-peak, abbreviated as kWp, refers to the maximum rated power output of a photovoltaic system under specified standard test conditions. The English term “peak” indicates that this is a theoretical peak value.

The kilowatt-peak unit makes it possible to compare the output of different solar modules and photovoltaic systems. One kilowatt-peak is equal to 1,000 watt-peak, or Wp for short.

How is kilowatt-peak calculated?

The total output of a photovoltaic system is determined by the number of solar modules installed and the rated output of each module.

Number of solar modules × power per module = total system output

An example: Our 36 SPM420/108 solar modules each have a maximum power output of 420 Wp. This results in the following total power output:

36 × 420 Wp = 15,120 Wp = 15.12 kWp

Under standard test conditions, the 36 solar modules thus achieve a maximum total rated power of 15.12 kWp.

What is the difference between kWp and kWh?

Kilowatt-peak describes the maximum power output of a photovoltaic system. Kilowatt-hours, abbreviated as kWh, on the other hand, indicate how much electrical energy the system actually generates within a specific period of time.

How much electricity a system produces depends not only on its power output in kWp. Other factors that influence this include, for example:

• Solar irradiance

• Location and orientation

• Tilt angle of the solar modules

• Shading

• Weather conditions

• Efficiency of the components

A 15.12 kWp system therefore does not continuously generate 15.12 kilowatts of power. The kWp value is primarily used to indicate the size of photovoltaic systems and to compare them.

Kilowatt-peak for solar carports and parking canopies

Power output in kilowatt-peak is also important when planning covered parking spaces. Parking canopies equipped with photovoltaic modules combine vehicle protection with the generation of renewable energy. This allows the existing parking area to be used for electricity production as well.

The solar power generated can be used, for example, to power adjacent business buildings, electrical appliances, or to charge electric vehicles. The actual appropriate system capacity depends, among other factors, on the number of parking spaces, the available area, and individual energy needs.

Our carports and solar carports can also be equipped with high-performance solar modules. They protect vehicles from the sun, rain, and snow while simultaneously providing a suitable surface for sustainable electricity generation.

The specification in kWp helps compare different solutions and select the photovoltaic system that best suits the intended application.