Considering powering up a shed or workshop on solar? Electrifying your shed with solar is an easy way to add some lights, keep cordless garden gear charged, run a spare fridge or even run some power tools in your shed. For me this avoids the hassle and hazards of running a long extension cord, and overloading the outlet it is plugged into.
TL;DR
There are many solar panel kits available for electrifying a shed or similar outbuilding. DIY solar panel kits come in many sizes and give you many options. You will first need to determine your kilowatt-hours (kWh) requirement and pick a system that covers it. If you are in an urban/suburban area you must also consider permit, zoning, HOA rules and fire codes since you’re adding electrical wiring to an unelectrified structure. Check with your locality. The easiest approach is to use a portable solar power bank. These come in many sizes and capacities and may avoid the permit/code hassles. Portable solar generators are self-contained and you don’t have to modify the building. In any case, always consider electrical and fire safety.
Understanding the Basics of Solar Power for Your Shed or Workshop
You will need a few basic components.
- An energy source which would be DC power from solar panels.
- A means to store energy. This would be a battery bank.
- A brain to manage and monitor the system. A charge controller.
- Generated power output. An inverter to turn the DC into AC for what you’re powering.
Most likely you’ll be wanting to power your shed completely stand-alone off-grid so we’ll focus on off-grid solutions here.
Legal considerations for installing solar panels, including zoning laws and permits for powering sheds
Before doing anything, I would check with permitting, code requirements and zoning laws for your location – especially if your in an urban or suburban area. Check also with your Home Owners Association (HOA) rules if you are part of one. There may be fire codes that apply now that you are electrifying your shed and codes regarding the storage of lithium batteries. These are just some suggestions -Consult with a legal pro on what is actually necessary for your state/city location.
Determining Your Solar Power Needs
Sizing up your requirements…
What do you plan to power in your shed? Just some lights? Keep a cordless mower charged? A spare refrigerator? A full workshop with power tools? A fan or maybe even a small air conditioner? What times of day and how long do your plan to use things?
Do you need AC power or can everything be operated off of battery DC? A DC system can run lighting, a DC powered fridge, or tool and device chargers that run on DC.
If you intend to use AC operated tools, an inverter will be needed to generate AC from the DC power from your panels and batteries. The inverter wattage capacity should be greater than the total wattage of what you intend to use at any one time. Example: You may have lights on, tools/devices charging, a fan running and any tools you’re using at the moment.
How many solar panels?
Your solar panels will need to bring in all of the energy you’ll need during the time the sun is shining on them. and store for later in the night or when the sun is not shining. If you don’t receive a lot of sun or shade is a problem, more panels will be needed to make up for this.
If its just some LED lighting you want to run, or keeping a few small devices charged, a single 100-200 watt solar panel and a minimal battery storage setup can easily accomplish this.
For things like a shed workshop with power tools, you’ll need more solar panels.
How much battery?
You’ll need battery capacity that will power everything you’re using for however many hours you’re using them for. This is the watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (kWh) (or amp-hours) rating of the battery. Basically the number of watts you are using multiplied by the number of hours you’re using that wattage for.
Inverter for AC
You’ll need an inverter if you are going to run AC items. The capacity of the inverter will need to cover the total wattage you plan to use at any given moment. If you are going to be running 100 watts of lights, 75 watts of device chargers, and run an 8 amp circular saw (8 amps x 120 volts = 960 watts). Add ’em up and that’s 1135 watts. Add some extra wattage to be safe. In this case, a 2000 watt inverter should cover your needs with room to spare.
The solar panels need to capture enough sun to bring in all of the energy you will need. Your batteries will need to store all of the power you’ll need whether the sun is out or not. The AC inverter will need to cover the maximum amount of wattage you’ll use at any one time.
Solar Power Solutions For Sheds
Some manufacturers offer solar kits tailored for sheds, barns, workshops or any outbuilding that needs some electrical power. These are great if you own your place and plan to stay for awhile. They do require some installation effort, be it DIY, or done by a professional.
Exploring Alternatives: Portable Solar Generators
While an installed setup with separate components is the most flexible and expandable, I’d also strongly consider one of the many portable solar power bank options out there.
These are portable units that combine battery storage, charge controller, AC inverter, AC outlets and USB charging ports for devices, all in one unit. You just connect some solar panels, plug your stuff in and go. These come in many kilowatt-hour (kWh) capacities and would be the easiest way to power up your shed on solar. They can be a small unit easy to tote around by hand, or a heavy duty portable solar generator that rolls around on wheels.
You may also avoid much of the permitting/code requirements mentioned above by using a self contained all-in-one unit. Finally, you can easily take the portable with you when you if go on a camping trip, or have to move.
