Convert Picowatts to Megawatts
Convert Picowatts (pW) to Megawatts (MW) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
MW = pW × 1.000000000e-18
About Picowatts
A picowatt (pW) is 10⁻¹² W - the power scale of the most sensitive radio receivers. GPS satellites transmit 20-50 W; by the time that signal spans 20,000 km, the received power is ~0.1 pW (−130 dBm). Radio telescopes routinely detect cosmic signals in the picowatt range. Qubit control electronics in quantum computers must resolve energy differences at picowatt scales. Photodetectors in single-photon counting mode, hard drive head read-back signals at idle, and deep-shadow solar cells also operate at picowatt levels. 1 pW = 10⁻¹² W.
About Megawatts
A megawatt (MW) is 10⁶ W - the standard unit for utility power plant output. A coal unit produces 300-900 MW; a large nuclear reactor 1,000-1,600 MW. Offshore wind turbines reach 15 MW each (Vestas V236-15.0). The Three Gorges Dam totals 22,500 MW. Aluminium smelters consume 500-600 MW; electric arc furnaces 100-300 MW. Solar farms are rated in MWp; pharmaceutical clean-room HVAC systems in MW. 1 MW = 10⁶ W = 1,341 mechanical hp.
Quick Reference Table
| Picowatts (pW) | Megawatts (MW) |
|---|---|
| 1 pW | 1 × 10-18 MW |
| 2 pW | 2 × 10-18 MW |
| 5 pW | 5 × 10-18 MW |
| 10 pW | 1 × 10-17 MW |
| 25 pW | 2.5 × 10-17 MW |
| 50 pW | 5 × 10-17 MW |
| 100 pW | 1 × 10-16 MW |