ENGINEERED IN NAIROBI. WORKING ACROSS EAST AFRICA.
Search +254 737 944 014WhatsApp ↗
Nairobi PowerENGINEERS · EST. 1984

SOLUTIONS / APPLICATION GUIDE

Solar power & integration

Explore energy and storage needs, then review how the system will connect to the site. Roof area and daily energy are only part of the specification.

Explore the calculators ↓Discuss this application ↗
Illustrative solar power & integration equipment
AI-generated equipment illustration.

Enable JavaScript for interactive estimates or ask our engineering team.

CHOOSE YOUR APPROACH

Start with the application.

Daytime self-consumption

Compare generation with the interval load profile and export constraints.

Backup and storage

Separate critical loads, autonomy and surge requirements from whole-site demand.

Safe integration

Coordinate AC/DC isolation, protection, earthing, roof structure and inverter interfaces.

BUILD A USEFUL BRIEF

Bring these details.

  • Electricity bills and daytime / overnight load profile
  • Critical loads and desired backup duration
  • Roof or land dimensions, shading and structural information
  • Supply diagram, existing generator and approval requirements
Send your project brief ↗
Does the estimate guarantee annual yield?

No. The tool uses entered sun hours and simplified losses. A site-specific yield model, shading assessment and equipment design are required.

← Explore all application hubs

COMPONENTS THAT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION

Specify the whole working system.

Start with the equipment duty. Add the control, protection and measurement functions that your project needs; these are options to review, not a pre-approved assembly.

Images are AI-generated illustrations of equipment categories, not LOVATO model photographs. Confirm dimensions and ratings from the selected model datasheet.

Explore all 36 component families ↗

Continue into equipment & assemblies

Solar AC Combiner Boards ↗Continuous Power & UPS Systems ↗

METHODS & WORKED EXAMPLES

Understand the estimate.

These examples use the default inputs. Change the live controls above for your own scenario; the reference examples below remain fixed.

Solar PV sizing — worked example

Example inputs

  • Simultaneous peak AC load: 5 kW
  • AC load power factor: 0.9
  • Daily consumption: 12 kWh
  • Peak sun hours: 5.5 h
  • Panel wattage: 550 W
  • Days of autonomy: 1
  • Inverter: 1Φ (single phase)
  • Storage chemistry: Lithium — 85 % usable

Example result

  • Array size: 2.8 kWp
  • Panels required: 6
  • Indicative inverter class: 8 kVA

Assumptions & limits

  • Hybrid inverter: 8 kVA, 1Φ single phase
  • System losses assumed: 22 % (soiling, temperature, wiring)
  • Peak sun hours: 5.5 h/day
  • Inverter class considers entered simultaneous peak load and load power factor. Verify motor surge, overload duration, PV input limits and manufacturer ratings separately.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.
Cable sizing — worked example

Example inputs

  • Load current: 63 A
  • Conductor material: Copper
  • System phase: 3Φ (three phase)
  • Derating factor: 1.00 — free air
  • Installation method: Clipped direct / tray
  • Cable type: SWA armoured
  • Insulation: XLPE — 90 °C

Example result

  • Adjusted design current: 63 A
  • Minimum conductor: 10 mm²
  • Protective device: 63 A

Assumptions & limits

  • Insulation: XLPE, 90 °C conductor rating
  • Conductor standard: BS EN 60228 class 2 stranded
  • Installation method: clipped direct / tray
  • Derating applied: 1.00 (combined factor 1)
  • Confirm the selection against voltage drop and earth-fault loop impedance before ordering.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.
Water pumping duty — worked example

Hydraulic power (kW) = 9.81 × flow (m³/h) × total head (m) / 3600. Divide by pump and motor efficiency fractions for electrical input.

Example inputs

  • Water flow: 36 m³/h
  • Total dynamic head: 50 m
  • Pump efficiency: 70 %
  • Motor efficiency: 90 %
  • Daily operation: 8 h

Example result

  • Hydraulic power: 4.905 kW
  • Electrical input: 7.786 kW
  • Daily energy: 62.29 kWh

Assumptions & limits

  • Clean water density assumed 1000 kg/m³; gravity 9.81 m/s².
  • Head must include static lift and pipe / fitting losses.
  • Match pump curves and check NPSH, water quality and starting demand. No pump or motor size is selected.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.

Technical reference: KSB: pump power input. This reference does not certify the website calculation or an NPE assembly.

METHODS & WORKED EXAMPLES

Understand the estimate.

These examples use the default inputs. Change the live controls above for your own scenario; the reference examples below remain fixed.

Managed EV charging capacity — worked example

Example inputs

  • Connected charge points: 8
  • Maximum power per charge point: 7.4 kW
  • Site active-power limit: 100 kW
  • Other simultaneous site demand: 60 kW
  • Configured EV power cap: 30 kW

Example result

  • Connected charging power: 59.2 kW
  • Site headroom: 40 kW
  • Managed EV allocation: 30 kW

Assumptions & limits

  • EV allocation = min(connected power, max(0, site limit − other demand), configured EV cap).
  • All limits are active power in kW, not kVA. The equal-share illustration assumes every connected point requests power.
  • This is a snapshot: building demand and vehicle acceptance change over time.
  • Verify phase loading, minimum charging current, metering, controller communications and fail-safe behaviour. A low allocation may require queued or paused sessions; it does not guarantee every vehicle can charge.
  • This does not size cables, protection, service capacity or certify charger compatibility.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.

Method reference: Schneider Electric — EV charging management systems