In this article you will learn about solar panel kits for sheds.
Adding electricity to your shed without connecting to the mains is useful. To begin with, it avoids the cost and complexity of running electrical cables through your backyard.
With solar panels, you can easily buy and install them yourself for just a few hundred dollars. Then you can use the energy to run lighting, charge tools, fire up power tools, and run fans for ventilation.
Adding to the list of benefits is that outside of the initial cost, the electricity is completely free and clean forever.
Adding Solar Panels to a Shed: What you’ll need
There’s several different components to a solar panel system. You’ll need all of the following components in your kit to take the sun’s energy and run your electronics.
- Solar Panels (Duh…)
- Solar Charge Controller – This regulates the flow of electricity from solar panel to battery
- Deep Cycle battery – To store electricity and provide a reliable power source
- Power Inverter – To draw power from your battery and convert DC to AC for your appliances. (Not needed if you only run DC electronics.)
These 4 components are essential to a well functioning system. You won’t be able to run electronics directly from your solar panel. You must use solar to charge a battery and then draw power from the battery.
N.B. Not all solar panel kits come with all these components. Most kits have solar panels and charge controllers. Then you’ll need to buy your battery and power inverter separately. Don’t worry below. I will recommend complimenting equipment for your setup.
What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for a Shed?
So how much power does a shed need? Well, that comes down to the appliances you intend to run. For example, LED lighting uses a lot less energy than a power tool.
You should look at the wattage of your appliances to get a better idea of what you need. This will then enable you to correctly pick your size of solar panel, battery, and inverter.
If you just want to run lighting then a small solar panel between 10W to 50W will be fine. If you want to run multiple items and even use power tools for short periods then you should look at 200W solar panels.
Be aware that most sheds are relatively low powered and simply require electricity to run lighting, fans, and charge equipment. If you plan to run large power tools for long periods then it might not be the best solution.
Best Solar Panel Kit for Shed Reviews
Below I have selected the best solar panel kits to use in a shed. These include various sizes which I will explain what each can be used for. In addition, there are recommendations for inverters and batteries to give you a complete solution.
WEIZE 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel Starter Kit
The pick of the bunch is this Weize 100W starter kit which is an easy way to get going with solar. This gives you a nice balance of power without breaking the bank. Don’t forget it’s always best to start off small and add more panels if you need in the future.
What you get here is a single 100 watt solar panel, charge controller, and all the necessary cables. So you’ll need to add a battery and inverter separately. Personally, I’d go with a 100Ah battery and 500 watt power inverter. This will give you plenty of storage capacity to draw on when you need it.
The Weize solar panel is made using an aluminum frame and tempered glass that should last for decades. Inside are highly efficient monocrystalline solar cells which you would expect to generate around 30Ah battery charge in a day. You shouldn’t ever be charging your battery from flat so this should do a nice job of keeping it topped up.
An included solar charge controller is rated at 10A and uses PWM technology. This helps to keep costs down but if you want to add more power in the future you’ll need to upgrade this along the way.
All the cables and mounting brackets arrive ready to use so you can install this on your shed roof and hook it up in minutes.
A neat way to start juicing up your shed. Pair this with Weize 12V 100AH Deep Cycle and BESTEK 500W Pure Sine Inverter.
Pros:
- Enough power for most
- Includes charge controller
- Easy to install
- Very durable
Cons:
- No battery or inverter included
- Cheap charge controller
Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Starter Kit
Let’s step things up a notch and look at a 200W system from Renogy.
This is quite a lot of power for a shed and to be honest, most people only have enough space for a maximum of two 100 watt solar panels like we have here. Remember, you’ll need enough sunny roof space and you don’t want to apply too much weight either.
These solar panels are built for performance and durability with monocrystalline cells wrapped in tempered glass and aluminum frames. The sealed junction boxes allow you to hook them up in a waterproof manner before running cables down the charge controller.
Renogy offers both PWM and MPPT solar charge controllers. This kit arrives with a 30A Wanderer which is more than enough to regulate this current. Plus you could easily add a third solar panel in the future. You can upgrade to the more efficient MPPT controller but it’s probably overkill from a backyard shed.
You can combine this start kit with a Renogy 1000W Inverter and Renogy 100Ah Deep Cycle Battery for a super charged system.
Pros:
- 200 Watts
- Includes charge controller
- Easy to install
- Very durable
- Compliment with other Renogy products
Cons:
- No battery or inverter included
Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 30W Battery Charger
If you just want to run lighting and a fan then you can dial things back with this Topsolar 30W kit.
You’ll still be getting a top quality setup with a durable aluminum and glass solar panel which houses monocrystalline solar cells. It’ll last you for years while remaining lightweight and cost effective.
This kit also comes with a modern charge controller that gives you a digital display of power levels. You can keep an eye on voltage level and charge status instantly. Solar panel cables allow you to connect everything together quickly. Plus you get battery cables with alligator clips to attach the controller to the battery.
If you just want to run DC lighting then you can draw power via the charge controller and avoid a power inverter all together. Any low powered AC devices or tool charging will be best with a small inverter though.
Pair this with an ExpertPower 33Ah Deep Cycle Battery and a BESTEK 500W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter.
Pros:
- Ideal for lighting and fans
- Easy to use and install
- Durable materials
- Highly efficient
Cons:
- Low powered, not good for power tools or heaters
- No battery or inverter included
ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts Complete Solar Panel Kit for Shed
It’s rare to find an all-in-one solar panel kit that arrives with everything you need for your shed.
But that’s exactly what you get from Eco-Worthy! This system includes solar panels, charge controller, batteries, and inverter. I guess the only reason it is at the top of the list is that I like to be able to tailor batteries and inverters to my needs.
You’ll be getting plenty of power with two 100 watt solar panels. They’re high quality too with aluminum anti-rust frames, strong tempered glass, and monocrystalline solar cells. The included charge controller does the job although it’s nothing fancy. You do still get an LCD screen and USB ports which are handy for quickly charging DC gadgets.
As for the batteries, they are two 20Ah capacity (a total of 40Ah) when connected in parallel. They are lithium too so you can use their full capacity and don’t have to worry if you run them flat. A pretty good match for the system, although some people might want a little more capacity.
The power inverter is rated at 600 watts which will give you plenty of oomph to run lighting, fans, and charge tools. Plus it’s pure sine wave so you’ll also be able to run smaller power tools rated under 500 watts.
An off-the-shelf solar panel shed solution.
Pro:
- Complete kit includes everything
- Pure sine inverter
- Lithium batteries
- 200 watts
- Durable solar panels
Cons:
- Batteries could be bigger
- Need to wire batteries together correctly
- Basic charge controller and inverter
Giosolar 100W ETFE Flexible Solar Panel Shed Kit
Rounding off this list is a lightweight flexible option that is useful if you don’t have the strongest shed roof.
Flexible solar panels still deliver brilliant performance but save 70% in weight. This is because they use monocrystalline cells wrapped in ETFE plastic rather than glass and metal. The ETFE thin film is still durable enough to last 10 years or more. And since it’s semi-flexible you can mount it on an uneven or curved surface. You’ll often see them on vehicles like boats.
Included in the kit is a PWM solar charge controller which is nothing fancy but will do the job for your shed. You also get the cables to connect the two components together. But you’ll need to provide your own battery cable.
You could pair this with an ExpertPower 50Ah Lithium Battery and a BESTEK 500W Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter.
Pro:
- Flexible and lightweight
- Monocrystalline solar cells
- ETFE covering
- 100 watts
- Includes charge controller
Cons:
- No battery cable included
- No battery or inverter included
How to Choose a Shed Solar Panel Kit
From looking at the products above you should have a better idea on what solar panels will best suit your shed. But you might still be unsure about your final decision.
Well, don’t worry.
Next we’ll go through a complete buying guide so you can confidently pick a solution for your needs.
Power
The first decision is the power of your solar panels as this will decide on what other components you’ll need. Your controller and battery will need enough capacity to match the panels.
If you just want a energy to run LED lighting and fans then you really don’t need too much. In fact, you can even buy standalone solar shed lights. You won’t require more than 30 watts of solar power for these type of electronics.
If you plan to run and charge multiple things at once such as charging tools or running small appliances then you’ll need more power. To give you an idea, 100 watts of solar power can generate about 30Ah battery charge on a sunny day. So 200 watt solar panels will be 60Ah a day, which is plenty for most sheds.
Solar Panel Dimensions
Don’t forget that there’s limited space on a shed roof, particularly if it is pitched. You’ll want to mount the panels on the sunniest area which further restricts space available.
During the middle of a sunny day go out and measure up the area suitable for solar panels. This will give you your square footage to compare to solar panel dimensions. To give you an idea, a 100 watt solar panel is 40 by 20 inches. But check the exact product specification before buying!
Rigid vs Flexible
In the list above you’ll see two types or solar panels: rigid and flexible. This is the difference:
Rigid – These are traditional solar panels with aluminum frames and tempered glass. They are durable, lasting over two decades. They will be highly efficient when combined with monocrystalline solar cells. The only downside is they are bigger and heavier.
Flexible – You still get the same performance with monocrystalline cells but they are much lighter and easier to mount. You can easily stick them to a flat or curved roof while adhesive. The only downside is durability is reduced to 5 – 10 years.
Charge Controller
A charge controller is essential to any shed solar panel system. It is required to regulate the flow of electricity including the voltage and current. It allows you to more efficiently charge batteries and run 12V DC electronics. Plus it protects against overcharging and reverse current which can both be very dangerous.
The charge controller connects the solar panel to the battery. A single 100W solar panel will need a 10A charge controller while 200w system will need at least 20A capacity controller.
Battery Size
Deep cycle batteries are ideal for solar panels as they allow you to store energy for use at any time. Adding to this, it gives you the ability to draw stable power directly from the battery. Trying to draw power directly from a solar panel will lead to erratic electricity as you are reliant on the weather.
I always like to have plenty of battery capacity which your solar panels can keep topped up. Generally, it is good to have 50Ah to 100Ah battery capacity with larger systems to make full use of the power. For smaller solar panels 30W or less you can reduce your battery size to between 20Ah – 30Ah.
Power Inverter
Your power inverter allows you to run AC appliances. Anything you plug into a wall socket at home will run from AC power. But a battery and solar panel only deliver DC electricity. The power inverter allows you to draw battery energy and convert it from DC to AC. Then you can plug it into the inverter just like a wall socket.
For 100W solar panels I’d recommend a 500W inverter and for 200W solar panels go for around 1000W power inverter. The capacity of your power inverter will dictate the maximum wattage of the appliance you can run.
Price
So how much does a solar panel kit for a shed cost? Well, it all can be between $100 to $1000. If you want the highest quality and capacity equipment then costs can quickly spiral. But you can easily use simple components in a shed as most things won’t be too demanding. (Unless you plan to run big power tools…)
You can pick up a 100W solar panel and charge controller for around $200 then a power inverter and battery for another $200. Overall, I’d put aside a budget of $500 for a decent system.
That being said, for a smaller setup to run lighting you could be looking at as little as $100 – $200.
Solar Panel Kit for Shed Summary
I hope you have enjoyed this guide to the best solar panel kit for sheds.
As you can see there’s plenty of choice available and you can tailor your system to your needs. To get going you’ll need 4 things – solar panel, charge controller, battery, and inverter. With these components, you can supply electricity to your shed without connecting to the mains.
Hi, I’m Michael, the editor here at Watt A Lot.
After years of experience with off-grid power like solar panels, inverters, and batteries I decided I should share my hands-on knowledge with you. In my professional and personal life, I’ve needed to find electrical solutions for remote situations from owning a food truck, to running events at the top of mountains, to my converted campervan. So whether you’re looking for the best products or fixing an electrical problem, you can rest assured my advice comes from real hands-on experience.
