HOW TO CALCULATE SOLAR SPECS FOR YOUR OFF-GRID NEEDS?

When you’re off the grid, having access to reliable and clean electricity is critical. Solar power is a great, affordable alternative that can provide enough electricity to meet all of your off-grid needs. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to calculate the specs for your off-grid solar system so you can stay powered up.

To calculate your off-grid solar system specs, you need to start by understanding how much electricity you will need daily. A great place to start is to make a list of all the appliances, lights, and other electronics you will need to run and add up your total watt-hour requirements. You should also add an additional 20 percent wattage allowance in case you add appliances later on. So, for example, if you determined you needed a daily output of 2,500Wh, then you would need 600 Watts of solar equipment (600W x 5hrs. of usable sunlight = 3,000 Wh).

The next step is to select the right charge controller, inverter, and mounting system. A charge controller is fairly simple to choose, for example, if you buy (4) 200W solar panels, a 40A MPPT charge controller will work just fine. Then in terms of an inverter, choose one that’s in line with the highest-watt appliance, and add a little extra for safety, (i.e., a 1000W appliance would require a 1200W inverter). You’ll also need to think about what type of surface you’re installing the system on, whether it be the roof, the side of the building, or a trailer. It’s also important to factor in things like sunlight availability, mounting angle, and other considerations when selecting the solar panel. For example, we recommend having your panels face the south at 20 to 30 degrees on average for optimal exposure.

Finally, you need to calculate the number of batteries you’ll need. Knowing the size of the system, the battery capacity, and the peak loads you’ll be experiencing will help you to choose the right battery size. For example, if you have an 800W system, you’ll need a 12V 200Ah battery. Also, factor in your battery type with your charge controller’s compatible/accepted battery types.

Having all the right specs in place will make sure you can get your solar power system up and running as soon as possible. Now you’re ready to power up and enjoy the benefits of living off-grid with clean and affordable solar power!