--- title: Megawatt (MW) | Definition, Origin, Usage, & Conversion Formulas description: A megawatt (MW) is the standard unit used to measure electrical power in the International System of Units (SI). Learn more about it here. image: https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Megawatt_(MW).png --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo-white.4f6047d4.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) **[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/sustainable-investing) >** Megawatt (MW) # Megawatt (MW) ![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/zach-stein.jpeg) Written by Zach Stein | Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts) Updated on October 1, 2024 Fact Checked Why Trust Carbon Collective? ### Table of Contents ## **What Is A Megawatt?** A megawatt (MW) is the standard unit used to measure electrical power in the International System of Units (SI). The symbol for megawatt is MW. It measures equivalent to 1 million watts or 1,000 kilowatts (kW). Megawatts are used by homes and businesses to describe the rate of electricity consumption. Like how horsepower in a car engine is not consumed, megawatt is just measured.   [The prefix mega](https://www.etymonline.com/word/megawatt), derived from the Greek word "megas" means great and denotes a factor of a million. Additionally, Watt is the base unit of Megawatt. ## **Origin of Megawatt** The term Megawatt was coined by analogy with Megohm and Megabyte, and was originally used to describe large amounts of computer memory. It has since been borrowed for the unit of power, which is commonly defined as a million watts. ## **Usage of Megawatt** Megawatt as a measurement of energy, has the following uses: - Megawatts allows countries or states to monitor the production of energy. - It is used as a measurement of the rate of power transfer. - Companies utilize this especially those that manufacture electrical equipment. - It is an important unit for reporting power stations on how much electricity has been generated. - Consumption rating also utilizes megawatt. - Megawatts are used for measuring the rate of energy transfer or production. It is also used to measure the amount of electricity needed by a large community or the output of a power plant. - Megawatts are also used in [photovoltaic power generation](https://www.seia.org/initiatives/whats-megawatt). ## **Megawatts vs. Average Megawatts** It is important to know the distinction between what a megawatt is and what average megawatt is.  The total possible output or production of a generator or plant is expressed in megawatts. This is the generating capacity of the plant. It can be compared to a horsepower rating, it is how a generating plant is designed to produce energy at full load. On the other hand, the maximum amount of power a generating plant is capable of producing over the course of an average year is called its generating capability or average annual energy, expressed in average megawatts. The difference between capacity (megawatts) and energy (average megawatts) can be dramatic since it is affected by factors such as: - insolation or average sunshine, - the average electricity consumption of a household, and - the wind and temperature ## **Megawatt vs. Megawatt Hour** Although these terms are similar, Megawatt is not comparable with Megawatt hour, because Megawatt hour uses time as one of its axis. Megawatts are mainly used in the Electricity Generation field while Megawatts-hour are used in the field of Renewable Energy to describe the amount of electricity consumed or produced by various sources. Megawatt is usually abbreviated as Megawatts (MW) while Megawatt-hour is abbreviated as Megawatt hours (MWh). ## **Megawatt Conversions** The following are some of the megawatt conversions to a different unit: ## **![Megawatts_Conversion_Formula](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Megawatts_Conversion_Formula.png?width=1548&name=Megawatts_Conversion_Formula.png)** ## **Conclusion** The Megawatt is a unit of power equal to one million watts. Megawatts are used primarily in the field of electricity generation to measure the rate in which electricity is produced. Megawatt hour, on the other hand, uses time as one of its axes and it is used primarily in renewable energy or to describe the amount of electricity consumed or produced by various sources. The Megawatt can be converted in a variety of units, depending on the need for the calculation. All these units have different applications in various fields and industries. ## **FAQs** ### 1. What is Megawatt? Megawatt is a unit of power equal to one million watts. Megawatts are used primarily in the field of electricity generation to measure the rate in which electricity is produced. ### 2. What is Megawatt hour? Megawatt hour, on the other hand, uses time as one of its axes and it is used primarily in renewable energy or to describe the amount of electricity consumed or produced by various sources. ### 3. How is Megawatt abbreviated? Megawatts are usually abbreviated as Megawatts (MW) while Megawatt hour is abbreviated as Megawatt hours (MWh). ### 4. Megawatt is used in which industry? Megawatts are mainly used in the Electricity Generation field. ### 5. What is the conversion of megawatt to kilowatt? The Megawatt to Kilowatt conversion formula is: Kilowatts = Megawatts x 1,000. ### Related Topics - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/) - [Carbon Footprint](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/carbon-footprint) - [Energy Efficiency](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/energy-efficiency) - [Greenhouse Gases](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/greenhouse-gases) - [Net Zero](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/net-zero) - [Renewable Energy Sources](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/renewable-energy-sources) - [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/sustainable-development-goals-sdgs) ![Attend Our Next Webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Attend Our Next Webinar Join our next Sustainable Investing 101 webinar, get our favorite DIY options, and walk through how we build our portfolios. 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