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Off-Grid Solar Calculator: Panel, Battery & Inverter Sizing (2026)
Add your appliances and state; get the solar array, battery, inverter and charge controller size with the math shown.
Solar and stored power is the backbone of an off-grid property — get it wrong and every other system stops working. These guides cover the whole chain: the panels that harvest energy, the charge controllers and inverters that condition it, the batteries that hold it, and the transfer switches and generators that cover the days the sun doesn't show up. We size recommendations against real household loads rather than headline wattage, weight safety listings like UL1973 and UL9540 for anything permanently installed, and say plainly when the best equipment in a category is sold direct rather than on Amazon.
Add your appliances and state; get the solar array, battery, inverter and charge controller size with the math shown.
Running, starting and daily watt-hours for 58 appliances, each row linked to its manufacturer or government source. CSV download.
Run-while-covered tents and storage covers compared, with a guide to running a generator safely in rain and snow.
Work out exactly how many panels your house, cabin or RV needs from daily kWh, sun hours and battery size — with worked examples.
Sizing chart and worked examples for home backup, RVs and cabins — starting watts, running watts, and the loads that catch people out.
Eaton, Square D and Siemens panel-mounted SPDs compared, and how to match one to your breaker box.
30 and 50 amp shore power cords compared on gauge, grip handles, and how they hold up outdoors.
Pure copper inverter cable, tinned lugs, and the hydraulic crimper that makes the joint hold.
Camco, NOCO and Attwood vented battery boxes and trays compared for group 27, 30 and 31.
Progressive Industries, Power Watchdog and GEARGO surge protectors compared for 30 and 50 amp hookups.
2000W and 3000W pure sine wave inverters compared for off-grid cabins and RVs.
Victron, KeyLine and VEVOR isolators compared for charging a second battery without draining the first.
Westinghouse and Champion super quiet inverter generators compared for camping, RV hookups, and home backup power.
BLAVOR, Hiluckey, and FEELLE solar chargers compared for hiking, camping, and emergency phone charging off the grid.
Victron Orion-XS, Orion-Tr Smart, and LiTime battery-to-battery chargers compared for charging lithium house banks.
Victron SmartShunt, BMV-712, and Renogy 500A shunt monitors compared for RV, van, and off-grid solar battery banks.
How to connect a generator to your house — transfer switch, interlock kit, and power inlet box methods explained, and why backfeeding is never safe.
NOCO Genius, Schumacher, and Battery Tender smart chargers compared for AGM, lithium, and deep-cycle batteries.
Reliance Controls, Connecticut Electric, and heavy-duty manual switches compared for safe home backup power.
Victron MultiPlus, SUMRY, and Xantrex Freedom pure sine wave inverter chargers with built-in transfer switches compared.
Pikasola, VEVOR, and Automaxx small wind turbines compared for charging off-grid banks alongside solar.
Motion-sensor solar flood lights compared for wire-free security on barns, gates, and homes.
AGM and marine deep cycle batteries for solar banks, RVs, and trolling motors, compared.
Renogy Rover, Victron SmartSolar, and EPEVER MPPT controllers compared on efficiency and amps.
LiTime, Battle Born, and a high-capacity 230Ah battery compared for off-grid solar storage.
Foldable Jackery, Renogy, and budget solar panels compared for charging power stations off-grid.
Anker, EcoFlow, and OSCAL solar generators compared for backing up your home when the grid drops.
EcoFlow, Bluetti, and Jackery 1kWh stations compared for camping, RV, CPAP, and outage backup.
Renogy, Newpowa, and Callsun rigid panels compared on efficiency, durability, and value.
Complete, starter, and whole-system solar kits compared — the easiest way to buy a matched off-grid system.