Solar power for a container home: how many panels and batteries

A container home has a modest roof and a modest energy demand, which makes solar a good fit. The key is to size the system to the real use, not the roof.

Start with the energy use

List the appliances, their power and how many hours you use them each day. This gives the daily energy need in kilowatt-hours.

Roof space

Check the area and the direction of the roof. A flat roof can take panels on a frame, and a pitched roof needs a good orientation.

Batteries

Batteries store energy for the evening and for cloudy days. Plan the battery size with the daily need and the backup time you want.

Grid or off-grid

A grid-tied system can sell surplus power, depending on the local rules. An off-grid system needs more batteries and a backup generator.

Plan the roof and the layout in the UnedPod configurator, and read the off-grid guide for the wider picture.