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Solar Power for a Shed: What Size Kit You Need (With Real Numbers)
Most sheds run fine on a 100 to 400 watt solar kit. A 100 W panel and a small battery cover a couple of LED lights and phone charging. A workshop with lights, a fan, and tool battery chargers needs about 400 W of panels and a 1.3 kWh battery. Corded power tools also need an inverter big enough to start them.
Here is how to size it in three steps, plus the complete solar panel kits we stock for sheds and cabins.
Step 1: Add up what you will run (watt-hours per day)
Multiply each item's watts by the hours you use it each day. The numbers below are examples. Check the labels on your own lights and tools.
| Shed type | Example loads | Watt-hours per day |
|---|---|---|
| Storage shed | 2 LED lights (20 W each) for 3 hours, a radio or phone charger (20 W) for 3 hours | About 180 Wh |
| Workshop | 4 LED shop lights (40 W each) for 4 hours, a fan (60 W) for 4 hours, tool battery chargers (200 W) for 1 hour | About 1,080 Wh |
| Heavy shop or she shed | The workshop loads plus a small fridge, a TV, or longer hours | About 2,500 Wh |
Step 2: Size the solar panels
Use this formula: watt-hours per day / (sun hours x 0.75) = panel watts. The 0.75 covers real-world losses. Most of the U.S. gets about 4 to 5 peak sun hours. At 4.5 sun hours:
- Storage shed: 180 / (4.5 x 0.75) = about 55 W. One 100 W panel covers it.
- Workshop: 1,080 / (4.5 x 0.75) = about 320 W. A 400 W kit covers it.
- Heavy shop: 2,500 / (4.5 x 0.75) = about 740 W. An 800 W kit covers it.
Not sure what a single panel can handle? See What Can a 100 Watt Solar Panel Run?
Step 3: Size the battery and inverter
- Battery: store at least one day of use, so you have power at night and on a cloudy day. A 12V 100Ah lithium battery holds about 1,280 Wh, which covers the workshop example. For more, add a second 12v lithium battery.
- Inverter: the inverter turns battery power into 120V for plugs and corded tools. Its continuous rating must be higher than the biggest tool you run, and its surge rating must cover the tool starting up. Check the watts on your tool's label.
- Charge controller: sits between the panels and the battery. Every kit below includes an MPPT solar charge controller.
Solar kits for sheds and cabins in stock now
| Kit | Solar | Battery | Inverter | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Solar RS-CK400 | 400 W (2 x 200 W) | 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 (about 1.28 kWh) | 2,000 W (4,000 W surge) | Workshop shed | $1,679.99 |
| Renogy 400W Kit for Workshop/Shed | 400 W (4 x 100 W) | 3 x 12V 100Ah AGM (3.6 kWh total) | 3,000 W pure sine | Workshop with bigger corded tools | $1,899.99 |
| Rich Solar RS-CK800 | 800 W (4 x 200 W) | 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 (about 2.56 kWh) | 2,000 W (4,000 W surge) | Heavy shop or she shed | $2,869.99 |
| Renogy 1200W Tiny House Cabin Kit | 1,280 W (4 x 320 W) | Not included (connects to a 48V battery bank) | 48V 3,500 W inverter charger with 80A MPPT | Cabin or tiny house | $2,499.99 |
Specs are from each kit's product page. The three shed kits include the panels, charge controller, batteries, inverter, and wiring. The cabin kit includes everything except batteries, so pair it with a 48v lithium battery bank.
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Tell us what you want to run in your shed and we will match you to the right kit.
Solar for a cabin: what changes
A cabin usually adds a fridge, a water pump, and more hours of lighting, so daily use climbs to several kilowatt-hours. At 4.5 sun hours, the Renogy cabin kit's 1,280 W of panels makes about 4,300 Wh a day (1,280 x 4.5 x 0.75). The kit does not include batteries, so budget for a 48V battery bank sized to at least one day of use. For a full-time off-grid cabin, see Off-Grid Solar System Cost and Sizing.
Installation tips
- Face the panels south (in the U.S.) and keep them out of tree shade.
- Keep the battery and inverter inside the shed, out of rain and direct sun, and mount the inverter close to the battery to keep cables short.
- Fuse the battery and solar lines and follow the kit manual for wire sizes.
- Wiring the shed into your home's panel, or adding permanent outlets, may need a permit and an electrician. Check your local code.
Building it yourself? Our DIY Solar Panel Kit guide walks through the whole setup.
Shed solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need for a shed? One 100 W panel for a couple of lights. About 400 W (two 200 W or four 100 W panels) for a workshop with lights, a fan, and tool chargers.
Can I run power tools on shed solar? Yes, if the inverter is big enough. A 2,000 W inverter handles many corded tools. Check the tool's label against the inverter's continuous and surge ratings.
Do I need a battery for shed solar? Yes, if you want power at night or on cloudy days. Panels alone only make power while the sun is up.
How much does solar for a shed cost? The complete kits above run from $1,679.99 for a 400 W workshop kit to $2,869.99 for an 800 W kit.