How Many Solar Panels To Run a Fridge/Freezer?

In this video, I'm answering a question many of you have asked: How many solar panels are needed to run a refrigerator and freezer? Or how many panels are needed for a solar powered refrigerator. If you've ever wondered about the specifics, such as how many solar panels to run a fridge or can a 300 watt solar panel run a refrigerator, you're in the right place.

From my own testing, I show the power consumption of a fridge and its freezer section, guiding you through the process of calculating the daily and idle consumption—details often overlooked but crucial for an efficient off-grid setup.

Through this video, you'll gain insights into:

The exact energy usage of a refrigerator, including a breakdown of my fridge's consumption, rated at 75 Watts, with a freezer, to understand how much solar for fridge setups is actually necessary.

The inverter's idle draw, a key factor in calculating total energy requirements and determining how many solar panels for fridge setups are optimal.

Detailed steps on sizing the battery for your system, ensuring that you're prepared even when the sun isn't shining, answering the critical question of how many solar panels to run a freezer and fridge 24/7.

We'll also delve into the math behind choosing the right number of solar panels to keep your fridge running smoothly, considering variables like days of autonomy and the type of batteries that offer the best long-term value. Whether you're curious if a 300-watt solar panel can run a refrigerator or you're planning a comprehensive off-grid system, this video has you covered.

By the end of this video, you'll clearly understand how many solar panels to run a refrigerator. Ensuring you're well-equipped to make informed decisions for your off-grid solar power system.

[tobiaswedel]

We got a similar type of fridge with freezer. The power consumption is between 17 and 19 kWh per month. I got 2x 400watt panels and a 25.6v (24v) 200ah lithium battery. Here in the middle of Germany we can run the fridge independent of the power grid from the end of February till the beginning of November.
Greetings

[cactusflowerbeekeeping]

I have an old VW camper frig in my Vw van, I started with 100watts and 1 battery, ended up with 200watts and 3 batteries, works great (and a 20 amp charge controller).

[TechMa-ivbm]

Amazing video, though there were some mistakes:
1. 0:05 - It shows that the fridge is using 4288 kWh, not Wh
2. 0:59 - 4288 divided by 7 is ~612.6W, so it is not exactly spot on (1:30)
3. 3:37 - No, you need to multiply it by 1.25 (100 / 80 = 1.25)

The calculations are close enough, so in this case the battery capacity has just over 5% deficit.

[Rpol_]

Very good analysis and guidelines. One thing that is missing is a decent set of panels will still provide some power - even on a cloudy day. I’ve read anywhere from 10% to 20% (100-200wh for a 1k system). So you might not need the 3 day buffer, but I still like his recommended headroom.

[henkmeiring]

Very straightforward informative explanation.Everyone that runs household should watch this video.Very difficult to get correct size solar system for appliances that cycles on and off.

[outbackeddie]

Great video. I calculated the power needs of my freezer a few months ago after using a Kill-a-Watt for a week, but I totally missed the idle power draw factor. Due to my far north location, there's no way I can economically power my freezer with solar power year-round, but if I can manage to power it during the summer months that will be a big help. I don't worry about the winter months since I can just put the freezer food outside where it is almost always well below freezing (often subzero temps).

[utubeape]

Great work.
i can see it really makes sense to keep a fridge in a cold place, so that it requires less power in the winter when solar is a problen.
I imagine opening the fridge door less in colder weather too

[binaryboyo]

Excellent Vid!
Clear, Concise and with on screen calculations to make it easy to understand even for the layman!
Great Job! 🙂👍 👏

[masonwestling]

Your calculations are only enough to recharge the battery- if there is no load. You are also STILL running the refrigerator. That daily power draw also needs to be added to the panel capacity.

[metamud]

So in the end, you still don't show how MANY solar panels are needed. I know that depends on how much the panels are rated for, but you're the one that comes up with the title. Then you gotta show.

[plymouth]

We recently had solar panels fitted, ten in total on an east west facing roof (five each side). Never looked too much in the past as you definitely needed a south facing roof with the older type panels. We have two upright freezers, a fridge-freezer and a fridge. When the sun is shining the panels run all of those plus a 2Kw ceramic radiator. Also had a 8.4Kwh storage battery fitted in the attic, again after a good sunny day the battery will continue powering everything up to about 10pm. On a cloudy day the panels still reduce any mains consumption by around 20p per hour. The first full month after they were fitted our overall consumption dropped by 25Kw. Now all we need is the ruddy SEG agreement to come through!

[StofStuiver]

Sounds about right.
If you want to go cheap and efficient, you can go for a minimal option with regard to everything. It then does require you to monitor battery status closely and unplug your freezer units and hook em up to the normal grid when your input power is low. So basically have 2 separate systems.
Also helps a lot if you lay down a strict policy on yourself for opening the fridge/freezer door, when power is low. Saves a lot of energy. Also keep your fridge/freezer well organised, so it doesnt have to be open long. And provide them with enough room (depends on which model) to cool itself. etc

[Kizito-pnon]

Thanks for this opportunity to everybody, because not all of us have this knowledge.
You give straight away all your answers, wonderful channel

[ksenyxths]

Well explained, but I think you missed the part where the fridge runs directly on solar energy during the day. For instance, if the battery is fully charged, the inverter utilizes solar energy to power the fridge. Consequently, the fridge only draws power from the battery during periods of low sunlight. It's feasible to operate the fridge using only half of this system, although it naturally depends on the area where the PV panels are installed.

[willgarrod]

We got 4 (100watts) facing east and 1(100watt) facing west. It runs out big fridge freezer and outside lights for 10months in a year. In December and Jan we charge out AGM battery bank at midnight during the cheap rate. The whole thing saves us about £70/yr

[BobBob-ilku]

Great video it took me months to figure out these same calculation’s & you just broke it down in 6 minutes.

[larryperry]

I run my ancient half size fridge on 6 HF solar panels and 2 100ah li-time batteries. I have my system wired in a 24 volt configuration and a rich solar 40 amp charge controller. I have had to run the generator a couple times but it has been very minimal. When you have a smaller system and are off grid or just don't want to use wall power or a generator it pays to watch the weather and learn your own personal equipment. Also going to a 24volt system is the best, easiest and cheapest way to go. 24 volt also has a little bit better conversion efficiency. I started with 12volt and can definitely vouch for the efficiency factor of going to 24volt.

[justicator]

I've been slowly working on my offgrid system and one of the challenges for me is location and number of panels. My local government requires a lot to mount panels on my home DIY, so I have free-standing, movable panels, but this is not ideal as it takes up more usable space on my already limited size lawn, and is an eyesore to my spouse and neighbors. I currently only have 400 watts of panels, and might reasonably be able to increase that to 600 or 800 maximum. I have way more space in my basement where the storage batteries are, so my strategy is going to be to increase my battery capacity and potentially remotely charge some additional batteries from another location or from my car alternator if needed to top up or extend my runtime in the instances where my panels will not be able to keep up with the demand over a longer period of time.

[postiemania]

Very informative video, I appreciate your attention to detail. I have a UPS system of 6200 watts and 5100 watt hours of battery (4 X 102Ah) @12.5v so it is a 50 volt system. Inverter uses 50 watts an hour idle current. I will add more battery power next.
Thanks for the video.

[liveuk]

Use a 12 or 24 volt free and leave out the inverter. These are available for campers and trucks.