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Erg per Second to Megawatt Converter

Convert erg/s to megawatts with our free online power converter.

Quick Answer

1 Erg per Second = 1.000000e-13 megawatts

Formula: Erg per Second × conversion factor = Megawatt

Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.

Our Accuracy Guarantee

All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.

Last verified: February 2026Reviewed by: Sam Mathew, Software Engineer

Erg per Second to Megawatt Calculator

How to Use the Erg per Second to Megawatt Calculator:

  1. Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Erg per Second).
  2. The converted value in Megawatt will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
  3. Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Power category.
  4. Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
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How to Convert Erg per Second to Megawatt: Step-by-Step Guide

Converting Erg per Second to Megawatt involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

MW = erg/s × 1e-13

Example Calculation:

1 erg/s = 1.000000e-13 MW

Disclaimer: For Reference Only

These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.

Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.

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What is a Erg per Second and a Megawatt?

1 erg/s = 10^-7 W = 0.0000001 W = 0.0000000001 kW

Erg definition: 1 erg = 1 dyne⋅cm = 10^-7 joules

1 MW = 1,000,000 W = 1,000 kW = 1,341 hp = 3.412 million BTU/h = 0.001 GW

Note: The Erg per Second is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Megawatt belongs to the imperial/US customary system.

Common Uses and Applications: erg/s vs megawatts

Explore the typical applications for both Erg per Second (imperial/US) and Megawatt (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for erg/s

Astrophysics: Stellar luminosity, cosmic ray power, radiation output. Older Literature: Pre-1960 physics textbooks, historical research. Spectroscopy: Radiation intensity in some fields. Academic: Teaching unit systems, dimensional analysis.

When to Use megawatts

Renewable Energy: Wind turbines (2-15 MW), solar farms (1-100 MW). Power Generation: Small power plants, gas turbines, diesel generators. Industrial: Large factories, manufacturing plants, mining operations. Data Centers: Hyperscale facilities (20-100 MW), server farms.

Additional Unit Information

About Erg per Second (erg/s)

How do I convert erg/s to watts?

Formula: W = erg/s × 10^-7 (or erg/s ÷ 10,000,000)

Examples:

  • 10^7 erg/s = 1 W
  • 10^8 erg/s = 10 W
  • 10^10 erg/s = 1,000 W = 1 kW
  • 10^13 erg/s = 1,000,000 W = 1 MW

erg/s to Watts converter →

Why do astrophysicists use erg/s for stars?

Historical: Astrophysics literature established with CGS units (pre-1960) Large numbers: 10^33 erg/s easier to write than 10^26 W in some contexts Convention: Astronomical journals still accept erg/s Transition: Modern papers increasingly use watts or solar luminosity units

Solar luminosity unit (L☉):

  • 1 L☉ = 3.828 × 10^26 W = 3.828 × 10^33 erg/s

Example: Sirius = 25 L☉ = 9.7 × 10^27 W = 9.7 × 10^34 erg/s

How do I convert between erg/s and J/s (watts)?

Relationship: 1 erg = 10^-7 joules

Therefore: 1 erg/s = 10^-7 J/s = 10^-7 W

Examples:

  • 10,000,000 erg/s = 1 J/s = 1 W
  • 10^10 erg/s = 1,000 J/s = 1 kW
  • 3.828 × 10^33 erg/s = 3.828 × 10^26 W (Sun)

What is the Sun's power output?

In different units:

  • Watts: 3.828 × 10^26 W
  • erg/s: 3.828 × 10^33 erg/s
  • Joules/s: 3.828 × 10^26 J/s
  • Horsepower: 5.13 × 10^23 hp

Perspective:

  • Earth receives: ~1.74 × 10^17 W (1.74 × 10^24 erg/s)
  • Only ~0.00000005% of Sun's total output
  • Sun converts ~4 million tons of mass to energy per second (E=mc²)

Why transition from CGS to SI units?

SI advantages:

  • Universal: Works across all fields (not just mechanics)
  • Electrical compatibility: Watts naturally link mechanical and electrical power
  • Simpler prefixes: kW, MW, GW easier than 10^10, 10^13, 10^16 erg/s
  • International standard: Adopted globally since 1960

CGS still used: Some specialized fields (astrophysics, Gaussian units for E&M)

Modern trend: Even astrophysics journals increasingly accept SI units (watts, joules).

About Megawatt (MW)

How do I convert MW to kW or W?

Formula:

  • kW = MW × 1,000
  • W = MW × 1,000,000

Examples:

  • 1 MW = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
  • 5 MW = 5,000 kW = 5,000,000 W
  • 2.5 MW = 2,500 kW = 2,500,000 W
  • 0.5 MW = 500 kW = 500,000 W

MW to kW converter → MW to Watts converter →

How many homes can 1 MW power?

Average US home: ~1.2 kW average (30 kWh/day ÷ 24 hrs)

1 MW = 1,000 kW

Calculation: 1,000 kW ÷ 1.2 kW/home ≈ 833 homes (average load)

Regional variations:

  • High AC use (Arizona, Texas): ~600-700 homes
  • Moderate climate: ~700-900 homes
  • Mild climate: ~900-1,200 homes

Peak vs average:

  • Average load: 1 MW = 800-900 homes
  • Peak load (summer afternoon): 1 MW = 300-500 homes

Example: 5 MW wind turbine powers ~4,000 homes on average

What is the difference between MW and MWh?

MW (Megawatt) = Power (rate of energy use/generation right now) MWh (Megawatt-hour) = Energy (total amount over time)

Analogy:

  • MW = speedometer (speed right now)
  • MWh = odometer (total distance traveled)

Example:

  • 5 MW solar farm × 6 hours = 30 MWh energy produced
  • 10 MW data center × 24 hours = 240 MWh daily consumption

Power plant ratings: Always in MW (capacity) Energy production/consumption: Measured in MWh or GWh

How much does a 1 MW power plant produce per year?

Formula: Annual MWh = MW × hours/year × capacity factor

1 MW at 100% capacity: 8,760 MWh/year (365 days × 24 hours)

Realistic production (accounting for capacity factor):

Nuclear: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 90% = 7,884 MWh/year Coal: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 50% = 4,380 MWh/year Wind: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 35% = 3,066 MWh/year Solar: 1 MW × 8,760 hrs × 25% = 2,190 MWh/year

Example: 5 MW wind turbine produces ~15,330 MWh/year (~1,700 homes)

How big is a 1 MW solar farm?

Solar panel efficiency: ~400W per panel (modern, 2024) Panels needed: 1,000,000 W ÷ 400 W = 2,500 panels

Land area:

  • Fixed tilt: 4-5 acres per MW
  • Single-axis tracking: 6-8 acres per MW
  • Dual-axis tracking: 8-10 acres per MW

1 MW solar farm typical specs:

  • Panels: 2,500-3,000 (400W each)
  • Land: 5-7 acres
  • Annual production: 1,500-2,500 MWh (depending on location)
  • Homes powered: ~150-250 homes

Scaling: 100 MW solar farm = 500-700 acres (varies by location, technology)

Conversion Table: Erg per Second to Megawatt

Erg per Second (erg/s)Megawatt (MW)
0.50
10
1.50
20
50
100
250
500
1000
2500
5000
1,0000

People Also Ask

How do I convert Erg per Second to Megawatt?

To convert Erg per Second to Megawatt, enter the value in Erg per Second in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our power converter page to convert between other units in this category.

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What is the conversion factor from Erg per Second to Megawatt?

The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Erg per Second and Megawatt. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.

Can I convert Megawatt back to Erg per Second?

Yes! You can easily convert Megawatt back to Erg per Second by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Megawatt to Erg per Second converter page. You can also explore other power conversions on our category page.

Learn more →

What are common uses for Erg per Second and Megawatt?

Erg per Second and Megawatt are both standard units used in power measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our power converter for more conversion options.

For more power conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.

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Verified Against Authority Standards

All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.

NIST Reference on Constants, Units and Uncertainty

National Institute of Standards and Technology — Fundamental physical constants and unit conversions

BIPM SI Units

Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — International System of Units (SI) definitions and standards

ISO 80000

International Organization for Standardization — Quantities and units international standards series

Last verified: February 19, 2026