SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/solar-kwh-def

What is a kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

One kilowatt running for one hour.

Start playing free

  1. One kilowatt of power used for one hour ✔
  2. One thousand watts of voltage
  3. The power of the sun at noon

Why: Power (kW) is the rate. Energy (kWh) is that rate over time. Your electric bill charges you for kWh.

Huh, didn't know that: EIA's example: a 40-watt light bulb used for five hours uses 0.2 kWh.

The dad joke
Hagrid: "Yer a unit of electrical energy, Harry." Harry Potter: "I'm a watt?"
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: One kilowatt of power used for one hour. Power (kW) is the rate. Energy (kWh) is that rate over time. Your electric bill charges you for kWh.

  1. EIA: Measuring Electricity www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/measuring-electricity.php
    One kWh is one kilowatt generated for one hour.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Home & YardWhich unit tells you how much energy a home battery can store?Home & YardHow many watts are in one kilowatt (kW)?Home & YardSolar radiation data for PV is often given in what units?

That's stuff everyone should know.