Solar & Off-Grid

Solar storage rewards the strengths of LiFePO4 more than any other use: the battery is cycled every day, it is expected to last for years and the energy it stores is only useful if nearly all of it can be taken back out. Lithium's high depth of discharge, long cycle life and flat voltage curve make a smaller bank do the work of a larger lead-acid one.

These guides are about designing that storage. They cover sizing a bank from daily consumption and days of autonomy, choosing between 12V, 24V and 48V systems as the load grows, pairing batteries with MPPT charge controllers and inverters, and the server-rack batteries used in home backup and cabin systems. RV and van owners adding solar will find their case covered in the RV section as well.

The calculator linked below turns a load estimate into a bank and panel size; the guides explain the assumptions behind it so the result can be checked against your own numbers.