1. What is Megawatt?

A megawatt (MW) is a unit of power equal to one million watts or one thousand kilowatts. It's commonly used to measure the output of power plants or the power consumption of large industrial facilities.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple conversion formula:

Where:

• \( MW \) — Megawatts
• \( kW \) — Kilowatts

Explanation: Since 1 megawatt equals 1000 kilowatts, dividing kilowatts by 1000 converts the value to megawatts.

3. Importance of Power Conversion

Details: Understanding power conversions is essential for energy professionals, electrical engineers, and anyone working with large-scale power systems. Accurate conversions ensure proper system sizing and energy management.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the kilowatt value you want to convert. The value must be positive. The calculator will automatically compute the equivalent megawatt value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between MW and MWh?
A: MW measures power (instantaneous energy rate), while MWh measures energy (power over time). 1 MW for 1 hour = 1 MWh.

Q2: How many homes can 1 MW power?
A: Approximately 650-1000 average homes, depending on regional consumption patterns.

Q3: What are typical MW ratings for power plants?
A: Large power plants are often rated in hundreds of MW (e.g., 500 MW plant), while small solar farms might be 5-50 MW.

Q4: How does MW compare to horsepower?
A: 1 MW ≈ 1341 horsepower (mechanical).

Q5: What's larger than a megawatt?
A: Gigawatt (GW) = 1000 MW, Terawatt (TW) = 1,000,000 MW.