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Workshop power

Solar for a shed or workshop starts with the tools.

Lighting and charging are different from saws, compressors, pumps, or heat. Record each load and its starting requirement before selecting an inverter.

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Direct answer

One 440 W panel on a 24 V bank requires about 23 A after the 1.25 controller factor, so a 30 A controller fits the reference power-side build. Battery capacity and any inverter still depend on the actual lights, tools, starts, and work hours.

Before the hardware

Collect these four inputs.

  1. 01Tool list
  2. 02Starting loads
  3. 03Hours of use
  4. 04Season

Worked example

Single-panel workshop

Assumptions

  1. One 440 W PH440BI panel
  2. 24 V battery bank
  3. 1.25 controller safety factor
  4. Two matched 12 V batteries in series

Calculation

  1. 440 W ÷ 24 V × 1.25 = about 23 A
  2. A 30 A ML2430 provides current headroom
  3. Two matched 12 V batteries in series provide 24 V

Result:One 440 W panel, a 30 A controller, and a 24 V battery bank sized from the loads.

Sources and assumptions (2)
  • Enerwav sizing rules reviewed on 2026-07-22.
  • Product records and specifications are checked again at quote.
Read the full method

Build tiers

Compare the hardware and see what still needs checking.

No price is public. Every item uses Dixon web price times 1.0 as the internal basis and must be repriced before publication.

Power side

Panel, controller, mount, and wiring. The battery remains selected from the load sheet.

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Power side included items
QtyProductKey specNote
1PH440BI panelPH440BI440 WCatalog item
1ML2430 controllerML243030 AFits the 23 A reference current
1KRAPID1 mount and wiringMount selected from siteFastener and cable lengths confirmed on quote
A wiring diagram PDF is included after protection, cable, and compatibility checks.
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What makes it work

Three choices that need to be checked together.

Panel and mount

Set orientation, shade, snow, wind, fasteners, and cable route from the actual site.

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Battery bank

Lighting and chargers need far less surge than saws, compressors, pumps, or heat.

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Inverter

Choose continuous and surge power from the actual tools, never from outlet count.

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Help around the hardware

A product record does not replace a system review.

Free

Free sizing review

A load worksheet review with the assumptions, missing inputs, and a hardware direction.

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Quoted

Custom battery bank assembly

Series or parallel configuration with cables cut, crimped, and labelled after compatibility review.

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Keep checking

The method and terms used here.

Read the sizing method

See the assumptions, suppression rules, and evidence standard used here.

Read the guide

Check the energy glossary

Confirm the meaning of capacity, energy, current, and autonomy.

Read the guide

Honest limits

Know before you buy

  • The reference power side does not include a confirmed battery model or AC inverter.
  • Saws, compressors, pumps, and heaters can exceed the small-system surge and energy budget.
  • A detached building may require permits, grounding, and electrical work outside the kit.

Read the method and limits

Common questions

Short answers, limits included.

Can one panel run power tools?

It depends on tool watts, starting surge, run time, battery capacity, and inverter size. The panel alone does not answer it.

Why use a 24 V bank?

At 440 W, 24 V reduces controller current compared with 12 V and fits the 30 A reference controller.

Are batteries included in the Base build?

No. The exact matched AGM model is selected only after the daily load and autonomy target are known.

Can I add a heater?

Usually not to this reference build. Electric heat uses far more daily energy than lighting and charging.