Hey everyone! I'm looking to set up a small mini-split or portable AC/heat unit in a cozy cabin in Joshua Tree, CA, to keep the inside around 75 degrees. I plan to get a shed that's about 120 sqft and will add some insulation. I don't mind if there's a bit of airflow since that's just how it is in a cabin. Can anyone share advice on what the minimum solar panel setup would be for this? Also, I'll need to charge my iPhone 16 every day, but that should be pretty minor. Thanks a lot for your help!
2 Answers
The watts of your AC are key to your calculations. If it's around 1kW like you mentioned, make sure you also account for any other appliances you might want to run. As for solar panels, I suggest looking into at least 400-600W of panels along with a decent battery setup for energy storage. That way, you ensure you have enough power evening out those hot days!
To determine the right solar setup, you'll need to know how many watts your AC unit is. If you're thinking around 1kW for your AC and plan to run it about 5-6 hours a day, that's around 5-6 kWh daily. Look into getting at least a 1.5kW solar system to cover not just the AC, but also other small devices. Consider battery storage as well to store energy for nights or cloudy days. Also, don’t forget to factor in the insulation and weather; a bit more power wouldn't hurt if the temperature really spikes!
Totally agree! You might also want to check if you need a charge controller based on your panels and battery setup. Plus, think about your local weather patterns; if it's super sunny, you might get by fine with slightly fewer panels.
Great point! And remember, if you want to run both the AC and charge your phone, even a small panel can help. Every bit of energy counts!