The majority of mobile homes are in the 500 to 800 square foot range. However, electricity usage varies greatly. This is how we calculated the daily use of 4500 watts and the associated conditions.
A mobile home normally consumes between 4100 and 4500 watts per day, with cooling and heating accounting for 80% of that. The breakdown of daily energy use is seen here.
300W Computer Mobile device 4160 watts total: 30 watts for lights, 30 watts for a refrigerator, 800 watts for cooling/heating.
These calculations presuppose that you cook with propane gas. The power requirements will be higher if you use a microwave that is powered by solar energy. Also, take note that there is no gaming console, coffee maker, or mixer in this home. If you do, make the necessary adjustments to the numbers.
However, assuming your home requires 4000W–4500W per day, we must determine how many solar panels it will require in the next part.
We advise 300 watts per panel if you already know how many solar panels you require. Any smaller, and it will occupy an excessive amount of room. Starting with the ACOPOWER 300W Solar Panel Kit and adding additional as necessary is what we advise. You may easily add as many panels as necessary with a flexible kit.
More Solar Power Calculations for Mobile Homes
15 300W solar panels made up of a solar array will be adequate. In principle, one 300W panel can generate 1500 watts per day (300 x 5 = 1500). Thus, it might seem like overkill. Then 3 x 300W seems like enough, right? So, that varies.
3 to 4 300W panels will work if you only require 4000 watts for a brief period of time. However, a house needs at least 4,000 watts for longer periods of time. On a good day, 4 x 300W solar panels might provide 1000 watts per hour, but if you have an air conditioner or heater operating all day long in addition to other appliances, the hourly watt usage will be higher.
A refrigerator that consumes 1000 watts each day probably needs 3000 surge watts. You will understand why 15 solar panels at 300 watts each are appropriate once you add in a microwave, dishwasher, and toaster. The demand for your PV system increases as you use more appliances.
The following are the most crucial aspects that affect the manufacture of solar panels:
Ratings for solar panels are based on peak production. A 300W solar panel is unlikely to continually produce 300 watts in the actual world. Most likely, it will be 250W or 200W.
Wintertime results in a major reduction in solar panel production. An unexpected downpour can also completely stop production.
An impact of geography on a PV module’s output. That 300W solar panel might only produce half of its rated output if you reside in one of the colder states.
Summertime performance is when solar panels perform at their best. Expect the numbers to decline during the winter season. Thus, having more solar panels on hand in situations like these pays off.
You should increase the amount by a few hundred watts if your power requirements are 4100 watts. Always keep some electricity on hand as a backup. The bottom line is that you should have more solar energy on hand than you require. It’s also advised to use a solar generator or a battery bank of sufficient size.
Does A Mobile Home With Solar Need Batteries?
One component of your solar system is the panels. You require a charge controller, batteries, and an inverter to properly power your mobile home. We advise using at least a 1200ah battery bank. Any three Shunbin LiFePO4 batteries, as long as the sum is 1200ah, will do.
A mobile that uses between 4100 and 4500W requires:
- 15 solar panels totaling 300W
- Lead acid battery bank 1200 ah (12 x 370Ah batteries)
- 5000W inverter with 60A MPPT charge controller.
- Backup power source (optional)
A surge protector, circuit breakers, a system control panel, and all necessary connections, wires, and connectors should also be present. They will give you all the hardware and tools if you got a solar panel kit or will hire a professional installer to perform it for you.
Review each component and determine how much solar power you’ll need if you’re going to undertake the project. A word about the backup generator: ideally, it should have 4500W of power, which is equal to the capacity of the solar array. Although not necessarily necessary, it can be a real lifesaver in an emergency.
The weather is unpredictable, and you never know when a calamity will occur. Having a backup generator might provide you peace of mind if you find yourself unable to use your solar power system for an extended period of time.
Choose from 12V or 24V batteries. based on the electrical infrastructure. Lead acid batteries are adequate for tiny homes, but you can also choose AGM or lithium.
AGM and lithium batteries both have advantages, but lead-acid batteries are less expensive. Additionally, they have more life cycles than AGM. Even though they need more upkeep than lithium, if you’re ready to take care of them, it won’t be a problem.
The pricing is the main selling feature, though. The key to mobile home living is budgeting. And one of the greatest ways to do that is by using lead acid batteries.
Can Solar Panels Be Installed On A Mobile Home?
Although it is technically conceivable, it is impracticable to install solar panels on a mobile home since the roofs of the majority of these structures cannot withstand the weight of several solar panels.
No issues exist with the roof space. To power 1000 to 1500-square-foot homes, 30 to 35 solar panels are required. As we indicated, only 15 PV modules are required if you scale it down to the size of a mobile home, which is roughly 500 to 800 square feet. Although the roof is smaller, fewer panels are required.
The weight is the issue. 35–40 lbs. is the weight of a 300W solar panel. 600 pounds on the roof from 15 of these. Additionally, because solar panels require space, you must install the brackets, mounts, and rails.
Two to three individuals must climb onto the roof in order to install those solar panels. Assuming they each weigh 160 lbs., there are now 480 lbs. more. More than a ton—480 plus 600 pounds is 1080 pounds!
Even though the installers are only present for a short while, the roof still needs to withstand high winds and the weight of winter snowfall. So it is not a smart idea unless the roof is extremely robust.
Is the roof of your mobile home sturdy enough? Contacting a solar installer is the only way to learn more. They will examine the roof to see if the solar panel’s support structure can withstand its weight. They will inspect the joists and the roofing material to make sure it is sturdy enough before beginning any installation.
Building laws must also be followed while installing solar panels, so if your area’s codes prohibit the placement of mobile homes on roofs, you’ll need to find a different solution. The good news is that there are other choices.
If you are interested in more articles like this, here’s one about the best solar indoor lights for your home.
