What''s in a Megawatt – SEIA
As solar becomes a more significant piece of the U.S. energy generation mix, it is important to understand just how many homes a megawatt of solar capacity can power.
A megawatt (MW) is a unit of power equivalent to one million watts. To put this into perspective: – 1 MW = 1,000 kilowatts (kW) – 1 kW = 1,000 watts Solar energy systems are typically measured in kilowatts (kW) when discussing residential installations and in megawatts (MW) for larger commercial and utility-scale projects.
Megawatts (MW) are the invisible giants of the energy world – they power cities, industries, commercial solar battery systems, and even spacecraft. But what exactly does this unit mean, and why does it matter for homes and businesses? Let's demystify megawatts in simple terms. 1. What is a Megawatt? (Definition + “Megawatt Meaning”)
Megawatts are typically used to describe power capacities on large scales, such as those of nuclear power plants or the amount of energy required to power a city. A megawatt is not the largest measure of power. After megawatts come gigawatts — equal to one billion watts.
Megawatts are primarily used to measure the power output of utility-scale solar power plants, which can generate electricity for thousands of homes and businesses. For example, a large solar farm with a power output of 50 megawatts (50 MW) would be capable of producing electricity for tens of thousands of households.
PDF version includes complete article with source references. Suitable for printing and offline reading.
Download detailed product specifications, case studies, and technical data for our off-grid PV containers and mobile energy storage solutions.
15 Innovation Drive
Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
+27 87 702 3126
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM SAST