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Homesteading & Micro-Gardening

Van Build Solar Panel & Lithium Battery Size Calculator

Inputs

50010000
28

Smart analysis

Recommendations

Tailored to your live inputs and result—guidance only, not professional advice.

  • Interpret

    Treat this as a planning estimate

    Primary result: Solar array (approx.) = 480 W. Re-run with optimistic and pessimistic inputs to understand the range—not just a single point.

Scenario studio

Compare A vs B

Capture two sets of inputs on this device, then see which outcome wins. Share either scenario with a link.

Scenario A

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Scenario B

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Plain-English guide

Terms & how it works

Confused by a field? Read the short definitions here while you use the tool.

  • Daily load (Wh)

    The “Daily load (Wh)” value used in this tool’s formula. Adjust it to see results update live.

  • Peak sun hours

    The “Peak sun hours” value used in this tool’s formula. Adjust it to see results update live.

Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).

Size solar watts and Ah battery bank from daily Wh load. Planning estimates only — verify measurements independently.

How this calculator works

Size solar watts and Ah battery bank from daily Wh load. Planning estimates only — verify measurements independently. Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency). Scenario: 2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).

Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).

Scenario: 2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).

When to use this Vanlife Solar & Battery

Common use cases

  • Size solar watts and Ah battery bank from daily Wh load.
  • Sanity-check with this scenario: 2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).
  • The relationship is: Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).

Localized examples

  • Homesteading & Micro-Gardening: the example on this page uses the same formula as the widget.

What you get

  • Fields: Daily load (Wh), Peak sun hours
  • Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).
  • Scenario on the page: 2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).

How to Calculate Vanlife Solar & Battery

  1. 1Enter Daily load (Wh), Peak sun hours. Use the values you have, not a catalog average, unless that is all you know.
  2. 2Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).
  3. 3Scenario: 2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).
  4. 4Order a little extra. Resin, fabric, and clay do not read a spreadsheet.

Governing formula

Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).

2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).

2,400 Wh/day, 5 sun hours → ~480 W solar, ~235 Ah @ 12V (est.).

Variable definitions

  • dailyWh

    Daily load (Wh)

    The “Daily load (Wh)” field. Default 2400; typical range 500–10000.

  • peakSunHours

    Peak sun hours

    The “Peak sun hours” field. Default 5; typical range 2–8.

  • Volume math (Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).) does not include your waste, test pour, or the batch that cures wrong. Add a buffer.
  • Nothing here is uploaded for the calculation itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Panel W ≈ Wh ÷ sun hours; Ah ≈ Wh ÷ (12V × efficiency).

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Community

Reviews & Ratings

See what others think about this tool, then leave your own rating to help improve CalculioHub.

4.8

out of 5.0

4 reviews

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Your rating

Aisha K.

Mar 12, 2026

Clean layout and the results update instantly. Exactly what I needed for a quick planning check.

Daniel R.

Feb 28, 2026

Very usable on mobile. Would love a save/export option later, but the math feels solid.

Priya S.

Feb 3, 2026

The FAQ section answered my questions before I even had to search. Smooth dark mode too.

Marcus L.

Jan 19, 2026

Simple inputs, clear outputs. This replaced three bookmarks I used to juggle.

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