Solar Panel Size Calculator for Sheds and Workshops

Quick Answer

A shed or workshop solar setup for lighting and power tools needs 1200W of panels and a 500Ah LiFePO4 battery. Daily load of 3.6 kWh includes 1-day autonomy buffer. The EcoFlow Delta 2 is the fastest path to powered tools without running conduit from the house. For a roof-mounted DIY shed setup, 6x 200W panels and a 30A MPPT controller handles the job cleanly.

Pre-Calculated System Specs

Based on 5 peak sun hours, 1-day autonomy, and typical Shed / Workshop loads.

ComponentMinimum SizeNotes
Daily Load3.6 kWhRaw before system losses
Adjusted Load4.3 kWh+20% system loss buffer
Solar Panels1200W6x 200W or 3x 400W panels
Battery500Ah at 12VLiFePO4, 1-day autonomy (5.4 kWh total)
Charge Controller130A MPPTNEC 1.25x safety factor applied
Inverter2000W continuous4000W surge capacity, pure sine wave

Want to adjust for your exact appliances? Customize these numbers with our solar calculator

Recommended Turnkey Solution

EcoFlow Delta 2

2,048Wh capacity, 1,800W AC output — handles a fridge, TV, microwave, and most RV loads.

2,048Wh

Capacity

1,800W

AC Output

500W

Max Solar In

Buy on EcoFlow.comView Solar Bundle

DIY Component Approach

Prefer to build a custom system? Use these components matched to the calculated specs above. A DIY build typically costs 20-35% less than a turnkey power station for the same energy capacity.

Solar Panels

1200W total (6x 200W panels recommended)

Renogy 200W 12V Monocrystalline on Amazon

Battery

500Ah at 12V LiFePO4

LiTime 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 on Amazon

Charge Controller

130A MPPT minimum

Renogy 40A MPPT Rover on Amazon

Inverter

2000W pure sine wave

Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter on Amazon

Shed / Workshop Solar System Guide

Shed solar systems divide into two categories: basic lighting-and-charging setups and full workshop power systems. A basic shed solar setup for LED lighting, phone charging, a Bluetooth speaker, and occasional drill use costs $400–700 with a 200W panel and 50–100Ah LiFePO4 battery. This is the most common shed solar build and installs in an afternoon.

Workshop solar is a different scale entirely. Running a table saw, router, band saw, and dust collector requires 3,000–5,000W of surge capacity and daily recharge energy in the 5–10 kWh range. A workshop solar system capable of this costs $4,000–8,000 for panels, battery, inverter, and wiring. For most suburban homeowners with grid power nearby, trenching to the shed is cheaper. Solar workshop systems make the most sense for rural properties where the grid connection cost exceeds $3,000.

The practical middle ground is a hybrid shed setup: grid power for the heavy tools (table saw, dust collector) and a small 200–400W solar system for lighting, phone charging, and small hand tools. The solar covers 80% of daily shed use without requiring the expensive high-capacity inverter and battery bank that heavy tools demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size solar system do I need for a shed?▼
A shed with LED lighting, power tools, and small electronics uses 3,500–4,000Wh on heavy work days. For daily light use (just lights and a battery charger), 500–800Wh is typical. A 400W solar system with a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery handles the light-use scenario. For power tool use, step up to 1,200W of panels and a 200Ah battery with a 3,000W inverter. The EcoFlow Delta 2 with a 220W solar panel is an affordable turnkey solution for a basic shed setup.
Can I run a table saw on solar power?▼
A contractor table saw draws 1,500–1,800W running and surges to 3,500W on startup. You need a 4,000W pure sine wave inverter and a 200Ah LiFePO4 battery bank at 24V to run it safely. Panel sizing for a table saw depends on daily use — 2 hours of table saw use requires about 3,600Wh of solar recharge, meaning 750–900W of panels in a 5-sun-hour region. The EcoFlow Delta Pro (3,600W output) is the portable alternative for job site use.
Is solar worth it for a backyard shed?▼
Solar for a shed is worth it when the cost of trenching electrical underground to the shed exceeds $1,500–2,000. In most residential lots, the house-to-shed run is 50–150 feet, and trenching with conduit, wire, and a subpanel costs $2,000–5,000. A 400W solar system with a 100Ah LiFePO4 for a basic shed costs $600–900. For light use, solar wins clearly. For heavy power tool use every day, grid power ultimately costs less.

Need a custom calculation?

The numbers above use typical shed / workshop defaults. Adjust for your exact appliances and location.

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