Helionix — Solar Energy & Savings Calculator

This is a tool that helps you predict your solar panel energy generation and calculate money saved — based on real weather forecast data.

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Features

• Smart Panel Setup
  Enter your solar panel configuration — panel size, tilt angle, and direction.

• Real-Time Weather
  Helionix uses live weather forecasts (cloud cover, sunlight intensity, etc.) to calculate how much sunlight your panels will actually receive today.

• Multiple Factors

  • Solar irradiance
  • Panel efficiency
  • Heat derating
  • Snow
  • Dust

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Configurations Explained

1. Location:
   Search for your city and select it. I didn't implement a way to provide precise coordinates.

2. Energy & Price:
   Energy is calculated in kilowatt-hour (kWh) and prices are in USD.

3. Panel Efficiency:
   It is the rate (in %) at which the panels convert sunlight into electricity. Most panels have an average efficiency of 20%.

4. Azimuth Angle:
   It refers to its horizontal orientation, or the direction it faces, measured clockwise from north. It's a crucial factor in determining how much sunlight a solar panel receives and its energy output. You have to enter angle in range -180° to +180°.

5. Environmental Factors:

   • Heat Derating
     It refers to the reduction in a solar panel's power output as its temperature increases. Ideal operating temperature of a solar panel is generally 25°C.
   • Snow Coverage
     If it snows in your city, it calculates the energy loss using linear interpolation method.
   • Dust
     Its quite tricky to find out how much dust could accumulate on the panel and the loss so it just assumes a 5% loss.

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Tech Stack

• React + Vite
• Open-Meteo API (for geocoding & weather forecasts)
• TailwindCSS (UI styling)

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How was AI used in the project?

AI was used to design some of the UI components of the website. (Ex: The hero section on the landing page, especially the solar panel, sun & battery illustration.)