What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for a LED Lights (5 bulbs)?

50W running draw8h/day defaultlighting

Quick Answer

A LED Lights (5 bulbs) at 50W needs at least 200W of solar panels to run sustainably. Running 8 hours per day draws 400 Wh daily. A single 200W solar panel covers it. Pair with a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery at 12V for 2-day cloudy weather reserve. The EcoFlow River 2 is the simplest all-in-one solution for this load.

System Specs for a LED Lights (5 bulbs)

Calculated for 8 hours/day usage, 5 peak sun hours, and 2-day LiFePO4 battery autonomy.

ComponentMinimum SizeDetails
Daily Energy400 Wh50W for 8h
Solar Panels200W1x 200W panel covers it
Battery100Ah at 12VLiFePO4, 2-day reserve (1.2 kWh usable)
Charge Controller30A MPPTHandles up to 200W panel input at 12V

Running more than just a led lights (5 bulbs)? Add more appliances to your load with our full calculator

Recommended Power Station

EcoFlow River 2

256Wh capacity, 300W AC output — ideal for phones, laptops, CPAP, and small electronics.

256Wh

Capacity

300W

AC Output

110W

Max Solar In

Buy on EcoFlow.comView with Solar Panel Bundle

DIY Component List

Building your own system for a led lights (5 bulbs)? These components match the specs above.

Solar Panel

200W total

Renogy 200W 12V Monocrystalline on Amazon

Battery

100Ah 12V LiFePO4 minimum

LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 on Amazon

Charge Controller

30A MPPT minimum

Renogy 40A MPPT Rover on Amazon

About the LED Lights (5 bulbs) Solar Load

Five LED bulbs at roughly 10 watts each add up to 50 watts total. Running them for 8 hours per day produces 400Wh of daily consumption. LED lighting is one of the most efficient loads in a solar system and rarely drives panel or battery sizing on its own — it almost always gets bundled with other appliances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much solar do I need to power LED lights?▼
Five LED bulbs running 8 hours per day use 400Wh. With 5 peak sun hours and system losses, a 100W solar panel generates roughly 400Wh per day — a perfect match for lighting alone. In practice, lighting is almost never the only load, so size your solar for everything else and treat the lights as included. For a basic cabin setup with lights, phone charging, and a small fan, a 200W panel and 100Ah LiFePO4 battery handles the full load with room to spare.
Do LED lights work well in a solar cabin or van?▼
LED lights are the best possible lighting choice for solar builds. They draw 70–80% less power than incandescent bulbs and produce minimal heat. Five 10W LEDs use the same power as a single 50W incandescent. For a van or cabin, 12V DC LED strips and puck lights eliminate the need for an inverter entirely, since they run directly off the battery bank. Brands like Brightech and Govee make 12V-compatible LED strips that work without any AC conversion loss.
Can I run LED lights all night on a solar battery?▼
Yes, easily. Five LED bulbs at 50W running all night (10 hours) consume 500Wh. A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery at 12V holds 1,200Wh usable — enough for two nights of lights before needing a recharge. A single 100W solar panel will fully replenish that in one sunny day. For a remote cabin or van where lighting is the primary nighttime load, a 100W panel and 100Ah battery is the minimum viable setup.

Running more than just a led lights (5 bulbs)?

Add all your appliances and get a complete system recommendation in under 2 minutes.

Open the Full Solar Calculator