Solar System Sizing Calculator
Right-size your solar panels, battery bank, and inverter based on your actual power consumption. Get instant recommendations tailored to your van.
Add Your Appliances
Select the appliances you plan to use and adjust their wattage and daily usage hours. We'll calculate your total power consumption.
| Include | Appliance | Watts | Qty | Hrs/Day | Daily Wh |
|---|
Understanding Appliance Efficiency
- Fridge duty cycle: Most 12V compressor fridges run ~40% of the time, so 45W × 24 hrs ≈ 18W effective.
- Starlink: Average draw varies; 50W is conservative for mixed usage.
- AC/Induction cooktop: High wattage but short duration; most people use shore power or generator.
Your Power Profile
Real-time calculations showing your total daily consumption and recommended system sizing.
Total Daily Consumption
Wh/day
Battery (Lead-Acid)
Ah @ 12V (50% DoD)
Battery (Lithium)
Ah @ 12V (80% DoD)
Solar Array
Watts (5 PSH)
Consumption Level
Usage Pattern: Select appliances to see your consumption profile.
Your Recommended System
Based on your consumption profile, here's what we recommend for your van's electrical system.
Battery Bank
Lithium (Recommended)
TBD
LiFePO4, 80% usable
Lead-Acid (Budget)
TBD
50% usable capacity
Solar Array
TBD
Configure solar array
(5 peak sun hours, 75% efficiency)
Inverter & Charger
Pure Sine Inverter
TBD
Peak continuous watts
DC-DC Charger
TBD
From alternator/shore
System Design Notes
- Depth of Discharge (DoD): Lead-acid batteries typically allow 50% DoD for longevity; lithium (LiFePO4) allows 80%+ without degradation.
- Peak Sun Hours (PSH): Southern California averages 5 hours of usable peak sunlight daily. Your actual solar generation depends on season, roof angle, and shading.
- System Efficiency: We assume 75% overall system efficiency (MPPT losses, wiring, inverter inefficiency). Real-world varies 70–80%.
- Shore Power: If your consumption is high or you use AC appliances (AC unit, induction cooktop), shore power or a generator is strongly recommended.
Get Your Custom Spec Sheet
We'll send you a detailed electrical specification guide tailored to your build.
Next Steps
Request a Custom Quote
Share your sizing results and we'll create a detailed custom electrical system quote for your van.
Explore Build Pricing
See our full range of van conversion packages and how electrical systems factor into total cost.
Build Options & Customization
Learn how we customize electrical systems for different van models and usage patterns.