Use our solar panel size calculator to find out what size solar panel you need to charge 200ah lead acid or lithium battery.
Calculate solar panel size for 200ah battery
Note: Click here to read our in-depth guide on how to use this calculator.
Calculator Assumptions
- There's no load connected to the battery when charging.
- Battery charge efficiency: Lead acid --- 85%, Lithium --- 95%
- Charge controller efficiency: PWM --- 80%, PWM --- 95%
- Average solar panel output: 80%
Battery depth of discharge is the percentage of the battery that has been discharged relative to the total battery capacity. for half discharged battery ENTER 50, if the battery is fully discharged (which you can achieve on a lithium battery), ENTER 100.
Not sure what peak sun hours are and how to calculate them? Read the below mentioned post.
Must read: Peak Sun Hours: Explanation, Importance, How To Calculate?
Example
Let's suppose you have:
- Battery capacity: 200ah
- Battery volts: 12v
- Battery type: Lithium
- Depth of discharge: 100%
- Charge controller: MPPT
- Desired charge time: 6 peak sun hours
"Enter CALCULATE button to get the result."
Result: You need about 500 watt solar panel to charge a 12v 200ah lithium battery in 6 peak sun hours using an MPPT charge controller.
What Size Solar Panel To Charge 200ah Battery?
Here are some charts on what size solar panel you need to charge 12v and 24v 200ah lead acid or lithium (LiFePO4) battery.
12v 200ah lead acid battery
| Charge Time | Charge Controller Type | Required Solar Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | PWM | 500 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | PWM | 400 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | PWM | 200 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | PWM | 130 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | PWM | 100 watts |
| 25 peak sun hours | PWM | 80 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | MPPT | 420 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | MPPT | 330 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | MPPT | 165 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | MPPT | 110 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | MPPT | 80 watts |
| 25 peak sun hours | MPPT | 65 watts |
Summary
- You need about 350 watt solar panel to charge a 12v 200ah lead acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
12v 200ah Lithium (LiFePO4) Battery
| Charge Time | Charge Controller Type | Required Solar Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | PWM | 870 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | PWM | 700 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | PWM | 350 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | PWM | 230 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | PWM | 175 watts |
| 25 peak sun hours | PWM | 140 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | MPPT | 730 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | MPPT | 580 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | MPPT | 290 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | MPPT | 195 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | MPPT | 145 watts |
| 25 peak sun hours | MPPT | 115 watts |
Summary
- You need about 600 watt solar panel to charge a 12v 200ah lithium battery from 100% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
24v 200ah Lead-Acid Battery
| Charge Time | Charge Controller Type | Required Solar Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | PWM | 990 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | PWM | 800 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | PWM | 660 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | PWM | 400 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | PWM | 270 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | PWM | 200 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | MPPT | 830 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | MPPT | 660 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | MPPT | 550 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | MPPT | 330 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | MPPT | 220 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | MPPT | 165 watts |
Summary
- You need about 650 watt solar panel to charge a 24v 200ah lead acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
Related: What Size Solar Panel To Charge 24v Battery?
24v 200ah Lithium (LiFePO4) Battery
| Charge Time | Charge Controller Type | Required Solar Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | PWM | 1750 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | PWM | 1400 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | PWM | 1160 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | PWM | 700 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | PWM | 465 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | PWM | 350 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | MPPT | 1450 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | MPPT | 1160 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | MPPT | 970 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | MPPT | 580 watts |
| 15 peak sun hours | MPPT | 390 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | MPPT | 290 watts |
Summary
- You need about 1160 watts or 1.16kwh solar panels to charge a 24v 200ah lithium (LiFePO4) battery from 100% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
Related Post: How Many Watts Can A Charge Controller Handle?
Maximum Charging Current For 200Ah Battery
The maximum charging current for a 200Ah lithium battery is usually 100A and the ideal charging current for a lead-acid or AGM battery is 50A.
Charging your battery at a higher rate than what is recommended will decrease the battery charge efficiency rate. Use our battery charge and discharge rate calculator to find out.
200ah Battery: FAQs
12v 200ah battery means 2400 watt-hours of power. Calculate the watts in a battery using this formula (battery ah × battery volts)
200ah battery will take about 5-20 hours to get fully charged. The exact value will depend on the charge current and battery depth of discharge.
you need 350 watt solar panels to fully charge a 12v 200ah lead acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 5 hours. And 600 watt solar panels to charge a 12v 200ah lithium battery from 100% depth of discharge in 5 hours.
