What size solar kit do I need for patio power?

Matching solar kit size to patio power needs

Determining the right kit starts with a simple energy estimate. List the devices you plan to run, note their wattage, and estimate hours of use to calculate daily energy in watt-hours. For example, five 5 W LED strings for four hours equals 100 Wh.

Sizing steps:

• Add up watt-hours per day for all devices
• Factor in days of autonomy if you need night use or cloudy-day reserve
• Choose a battery capacity (Wh) that covers the daily load plus 20–30% buffer
• Pick a solar panel array that can recharge that battery in average sun hours (divide needed daily Wh by peak sun hours to get required panel wattage)

Also account for system losses from charge controllers, inverters, and wiring—typically 10–20%. For most patios powering lights, speakers, and phone charging, compact kits from 100–500 Wh battery capacity and 50–200 W of panels are common. For larger or continuous loads, scale up accordingly and consider professional sizing for safety and reliability.