Help with building an EG4 full time off grid solar system for a 600 sq ft home.

[ShiaX]

I am trying to figure out if a EG4-WALLMOUNT INDOOR BATTERY 280AH 51.2V 14.3KWH & EG4 6000XP OFF GRID INVERTER BUNDLE 8000W PV INPUT 6000W OUTPUT ALL IN ONE SOLAR INVERTER will be a big enough system to power my whole off grid 600 sq ft cabin? Also how many solar panels would I need to have for this system?
Is a 6000 watt output solar system big enough to run my 600 sq ft off grid home full time? Or would I need to go up to a 12000 watt output solar system Or bigger?

 

[ScrotusGobbleBottom]

I am trying to figure out if a EG4-WALLMOUNT INDOOR BATTERY 280AH 51.2V 14.3KWH & EG4 6000XP OFF GRID INVERTER BUNDLE 8000W PV INPUT 6000W OUTPUT ALL IN ONE SOLAR INVERTER will be a big enough system to power my whole off grid 600 sq ft cabin? Also how many solar panels would I need to have for this system?
Is a 6000 watt output solar system big enough to run my 600 sq ft off grid home full time? Or would I need to go up to a 12000 watt output solar system Or bigger?

Hi, I live in a 930 sq ft home. I have a 6000xp. I have 4000 watts of PV and 34 kWh of battery.
I run everything except my clothes dryer (it could, but it would max the 6000xp) and my water heater ( doable, but would be more solar than I care to spend in air conditioner season.

I bet I use a lot more power than you would at your cabin. edit I was very wrong!) I have a computer, 65 inch TV, wifi, IP cameras, lights, fridge all on 24/7. I use it for cooking quite a bit.

In the summer I use it for 2 window air conditioners but not cooking.

My deficiency is certainly solar panels. 4000 watts is almost good enough for me, but another 2000 would be fantastic. I could certainly put the water heater on solar in the summer.

The only reason I need 6000 watts of solar is because of my loads and I have 34 kWh of battery.
What are your loads?
You need to find out what you need. I cant tell you that.

 

[ShiaX]

Hi, I live in a 930 sq ft home. I have a 6000xp. I have 4000 watts of PV and 34 kWh of battery.
I run everything except my clothes dryer (it could, but it would max the 6000xp) and my water heater ( doable, but would be more solar than I care to spend in air conditioner season.

I bet I use a lot more power than you would at your cabin. I have a computer, wifi, IP cameras, lights, fridge all on 24/7. I use it for cooking quite a bit.

In the summer I use it for 2 window air conditioners but not cooking.

My deficiency is certainly solar panels. 4000 watts is almost good enough for me, but another 2000 would be fantastic. I could certainly put the water heater on solar in the summer.

The only reason I need 6000 watts of solar is because of my loads and I have 34 kWh of battery.
What are your loads?
You need to find out what you need. I cant tell you that.

I am building a 600 sq ft off grid cabin for full time living in Arizona. I am having issues figuring out what size system I need considering I am a full time over the road long haul trucker and I have no power bill usage to reference. I will be building on rural bare land and will have to purchase all of my home appliances so I feel I will have more control building a solar system without having to fit it into existing appliances ect. Right now I'm looking at getting the EG4 6000XP all in one inverter with the indoor use power pro battery. Will that system be big enough to power my home full time with home office or will I need to double that with 2 6000xp inverter and 2 power pro batteries? Also how many solar panels will I need? I will have the normal appliances such as washer dryer water heater standard kitchen appliances such as refrigerator, air fryer, blender, juicer ect and also a deep freezer. I will be powering starlink for internet and 2 Vizio Smart TV along with laptops iPad and cell phones Lazer printer, printer and copier for office use. I do plan on having 2 EG4 mini split 12000 BTU ac units.

 

[wpns]

That's a lot of Feature Creep! You need to make a spreadsheet with actual appliances and other loads (water pump?) and their expected runtimes, then go look at the solar-hours-per-day at your location in AZ, and you should be able to make a better guess.

Someone more clueful than I will have the solar-hours-per-day and 'appliances use this much power' websites handy.

How long is a piece of string?

My impression is that your system is going to be underpowered, but if there's just one person, the building is well insulated and designed with passive solar heating in mind, and you can do manual load management, then maybe it'll work with one 6KW inverter and 14KWHR of storage. I wouldn't want to do that, and you certainly aren't going to run the hot water heater, the stove or oven, the laser printer, and the water pump at the same time...

 

[Steve_S]

Shia, you've provided more information here compared to the Smal Cabin forum here I mentioned coming here for more help.
Now that I understand your picture I can offer some quick guidance.

1st. You will be building your place & purchasing new appliances. This has several advantages... No old power hog stuff being a Biggy ! Energy Star rated appliances & devices are the way to go.
- The new Combo Washer/Dryer units offer good efficiency, space savings. I do believe these are 240V.
- Induction Cooking is the most efficient and in 2024 there is a vast variety of the available. Larger "household" sized ones are 240V but smaller units are available that run on 120V.
- With a 600ft +/- place heating & cooling can be easily & efficiently done with a Mini Split Heatpumps for both heating & AC, lots are available that are 120V.
- Water well pumps with "soft-Start" (prevents a big surge on the inverter) running on 120V as well are readily available. Many of us use the Grundfos Brand, which are not "cheap" but seriously reliable & efficient.

New Construction = Opportunity !
There are a LOT of things that you can tweak prior to building that will greatly increase efficiency, heating & cooling (comfort), and all without greatly adding to the cost of construction but which will return the benefits. AZ can get extreme at times ;-) Consider a Cool Roof and Rainscreen siding, both of which provide a thermal break from the direct exposure of the elements. Stops heat soak from the sun/heat & heat loss as well.

Inverter Energy
A 6000W Inverter will provide 120V/50Amps. or if using 240V model, 240V/25A
A 10,000W Inverter 120V/83A or 240V/41A
So a 6000W inverter can let you run a heck of a lot ! For a small place like your planning. I run my home on 4000W with room to spare + I am full time in the North. LED light bulbs and all the new goodies make it a heck of a lot easier than even 10 years ago.

Batteries to support your "daily" needs and to provide extra power in case your can't generate enough by solar is the Tried True Tested way... With a "semi-Occupied" place though that is easier. You likely have a good idea of how much time you will be in residence full time, so that's a start in a way. I operate my home on 4 kWh per day average, some use 10+ times that. I only have 1 bedroom + closed loft with high peak ceilings. The reality with AC & Heating even with a MiniSplit in AZ your usage while in residence will be higher and probably closer to 10-15 kWh per day on the toughest days. Maybe more. GOOD THING about LFP Batteries, you can safely add more if needed later without ANY ill effects.

Solar Generation !
A bit trickier, The amount of solar needed to charge your batteries is related to the size of the batteries of course. The EG4 AIO's @ 6KW have good solar handling capacity that can let you setup a good sized array. I'm not sure how many solar controllers they have, some have 2, some have 4. Each controller can manage a solar array and charge the batteries. This is also good because if you start smaller and only use 1 Solar Controller for example, you could add another array later to the 2nd controller IF needed. These are all inside the AIO (All-In-One) unit. Big Advantage to your location AZ & SUN go hand in hand and you get great generation pretty much year round and believe it or not, that makes solar a heck of a lot easier. IE not have days with only 3.5 hrs of so-so sunshine.

We have some good folks here who know EG4 products well & a LOT who are familiar with your state who can chime in and help you along further.

My personal take, you can certain use a 6000W Aill In One system to deliver everything you could use... even a welder if ya want ! The batteries can start with 1 and if it's not enough a 2nd can be popped in. Solar for AZ, Heckm if you put up 4000W of solar, your batteries would be charged ina hurry, while providing power to your house at the same time & leaving you with full batteries by the time the sun goes down (mid summer).

Hope it helps, Good Luck

 

[Branch Ranch]

System Energy Audit and Sizing Spread Sheet

To get the spreadsheet, click on the orange button at the top of this page. This sheet is intended to help you plan your system. Fill it out down to the last decimal place, look at the results..... and then make your best guess;) Notes...

diysolarforum.com

click orange box and enter your system details in the appropriate boxes. it will help immensely in planning your system!

 

[ShiaX]

Shia, you've provided more information here compared to the Smal Cabin forum here I mentioned coming here for more help.
Now that I understand your picture I can offer some quick guidance.

1st. You will be building your place & purchasing new appliances. This has several advantages... No old power hog stuff being a Biggy ! Energy Star rated appliances & devices are the way to go.
- The new Combo Washer/Dryer units offer good efficiency, space savings. I do believe these are 240V.
- Induction Cooking is the most efficient and in 2024 there is a vast variety of the available. Larger "household" sized ones are 240V but smaller units are available that run on 120V.
- With a 600ft +/- place heating & cooling can be easily & efficiently done with a Mini Split Heatpumps for both heating & AC, lots are available that are 120V.
- Water well pumps with "soft-Start" (prevents a big surge on the inverter) running on 120V as well are readily available. Many of us use the Grundfos Brand, which are not "cheap" but seriously reliable & efficient.

New Construction = Opportunity !
There are a LOT of things that you can tweak prior to building that will greatly increase efficiency, heating & cooling (comfort), and all without greatly adding to the cost of construction but which will return the benefits. AZ can get extreme at times ;-) Consider a Cool Roof and Rainscreen siding, both of which provide a thermal break from the direct exposure of the elements. Stops heat soak from the sun/heat & heat loss as well.

Inverter Energy
A 6000W Inverter will provide 120V/50Amps. or if using 240V model, 240V/25A
A 10,000W Inverter 120V/83A or 240V/41A
So a 6000W inverter can let you run a heck of a lot ! For a small place like your planning. I run my home on 4000W with room to spare + I am full time in the North. LED light bulbs and all the new goodies make it a heck of a lot easier than even 10 years ago.

Batteries to support your "daily" needs and to provide extra power in case your can't generate enough by solar is the Tried True Tested way... With a "semi-Occupied" place though that is easier. You likely have a good idea of how much time you will be in residence full time, so that's a start in a way. I operate my home on 4 kWh per day average, some use 10+ times that. I only have 1 bedroom + closed loft with high peak ceilings. The reality with AC & Heating even with a MiniSplit in AZ your usage while in residence will be higher and probably closer to 10-15 kWh per day on the toughest days. Maybe more. GOOD THING about LFP Batteries, you can safely add more if needed later without ANY ill effects.

Solar Generation !
A bit trickier, The amount of solar needed to charge your batteries is related to the size of the batteries of course. The EG4 AIO's @ 6KW have good solar handling capacity that can let you setup a good sized array. I'm not sure how many solar controllers they have, some have 2, some have 4. Each controller can manage a solar array and charge the batteries. This is also good because if you start smaller and only use 1 Solar Controller for example, you could add another array later to the 2nd controller IF needed. These are all inside the AIO (All-In-One) unit. Big Advantage to your location AZ & SUN go hand in hand and you get great generation pretty much year round and believe it or not, that makes solar a heck of a lot easier. IE not have days with only 3.5 hrs of so-so sunshine.

We have some good folks here who know EG4 products well & a LOT who are familiar with your state who can chime in and help you along further.

My personal take, you can certain use a 6000W Aill In One system to deliver everything you could use... even a welder if ya want ! The batteries can start with 1 and if it's not enough a 2nd can be popped in. Solar for AZ, Heckm if you put up 4000W of solar, your batteries would be charged ina hurry, while providing power to your house at the same time & leaving you with full batteries by the time the sun goes down (mid summer).

Hope it helps, Good Luck

Thank you for all of that information lol, that did clarify some things for me! As of now I plan on getting 2 of the 6000xp AIO inverters to have a 12000 system and 26 solar panels. I'm just still a little fuzzy on how many batteries I need lol. I want to get the new power pro batteries I'm just not sure if getting two of those (1 for each inverter) is better than getting 6 of the LL S batteries. I'm not finding much info on the comparisons. I found a few sites that carry only off grid appliances meant to run on solar so that's been helpful in figuring out what my daily load will be. I think once I can figure out the batteries I'll be good to go lol.

 

[Timmaahhh]

As others have said, being new construction you have some great opportunity to future proof. Insulation will be your best friend. I did not see where you mentioned your major appliances or if you will be on well water. My 6k inverter quickly gets to its limit when my hot water heater kicks on or if I am running the dryer or oven. I will be either going to a 12k or adding a second 6000ex to add an MPPT and cover the extra stress. You may want to consider having a propane tank installed and going gas on your large appliances. Based on all else you have said, sounds like 6k should be more than enough for your day to day.

I currently only have 3500w of panels and only 10k of batteries. During the day I have 2 mini 240v mini splits running and one 120v portable AC unit running in addition to my server, network, big screen TV, and even with it being overcast here in Texas, I still typically am producing more power than I am using with my small setup. Now with that being said, without changing any use habits for solar and keeping my AC at 70, my 2 batteries will power me until about 2am before they hit 48v and it switches back to grid power.

Most of my home lighting is LED and nearly all of it has Alexa home integration. I have not tried to save any power or adjust my lifestyle as this has only been up and running for 2 weeks and I am looking for my weak spots. 4 more batteries are my *need asap* items.

 

[JWLV]

In Arizona, I assume you'll be running the air conditioner 24/7 during the summer months. An efficient 120V 12K BTU mini-split uses about 1000 watts. If you want it running through the night, you'll need at least 15kwh battery (consider idle draw, DC-AC inefficiencies, etc.) So the battery you're looking at would be sufficient if that's the only thing you want to power. This also assumes that you will be able to charge it up 100% and power your devices at the same time during next day. But you likely have lights, TV, computer, wifi router, refrigerator, and several other things.

Considering a few rare cloudy and rainy days in Arizona, I would recommend at least 3 of the batteries (~45kwh) and 6kw-8kw of solar panels. Keep in mind that having 8kw of solar does not mean you'll get 8kw out of it. It all depends on the time of day, weather, and time of year. A 6000w inverter should be fine, just don't run high powered devices at the same time.