SOLAR / BATTERY / CHARGING

Solar System Sizing Calculator

Estimate a solar array, battery bank, and charge controller from your daily energy needs.

For RV and off-grid planning
Table 1

Off-grid system from daily loads

Enter load power and daily run time. The worksheet estimate below and the configuration on the right use these same inputs.

W
h / day
h / day
days
Table 1 worksheet estimate—
Nominal battery capacity—
Calculated array power—

Configuration options

These affect the recommended configuration on the right, not the worksheet estimate.

W / panel
Primary load type

Recommended configuration

Based on your current inputs

Estimate
Recommended solar array
—W
Panel combination—
Calculated minimum—
Nominal battery bank capacity
≥ — Ah
—
Total MPPT output current
≥ — A
Use one or more suitably rated controllers
Estimated daily energy to loads—

—

SELECTED BY ACOPOWER

These product examples are not matched to your inputs. Check voltage, ratings, and availability on each product page.

CALCULATION NOTES

How it is calculated

Recommendations are rounded up. The 12 / 24 / 48 V inputs use nominal system voltage.

01 / Solar array

Required watts = daily energy use ÷ load efficiency ÷ peak sun hours ÷ 75% solar yield. Round up to whole panels.

02 / Battery bank

Nominal Wh = daily energy use ÷ load efficiency × autonomy days ÷ 80% usable capacity. Divide by system voltage for Ah.

03 / MPPT current

Total output current ≥ actual array watts ÷ system voltage × 1.25 headroom. Round up to the next 10 A increment.

AC load efficiency: 90%DC load efficiency: 100%Solar yield allows for weather, temperature, and wiring losses
Before installationThis is an energy sizing estimate. Check PV input Voc / Isc, battery charging voltage and BMS limits, series and parallel wiring, inverter peak load, cable sizing, and protection against the actual equipment. Use peak sun hours for the less favorable season at your location.

FROM THE ACOPOWER WORKSHEET

Quick worksheet calculations

Table 2

Array power for battery recharge

Calculated array power—

Table 3

Constant-current charge time

Ideal charge time—