Use our free online solar panel size calculator to find out what size solar panel to charge a 24v battery in desired peak sun hours.
Calculate solar panel size for 24v battery
Note: Click here to read our in-depth post on how to use this calculator and what factors it takes into account and some shortcomings of this calculator.
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. And if the battery is fully discharged (which you can achieve on a lithium battery), ENTER 100.
Desired Charge time (in peak sun hours): How fast would you like to charge your battery in peak sun hours?
Must read: Peak Sun Hours: Explanation, Importance, How To Calculate?
Example
Let's suppose...
- Battery capacity: 200ah
- Battery voltage: 24v
- Battery type: Lead acid
- Battery depth of discharge: 50% (half discharged)
- Charge controller: MPPT
- Desired charge time: 6 peak sun hours
Turns out, you need about 550 watts of solar panels to fully charge a 24v 200ah lead acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours.
Note: Deep cycle batteries are designed to be charged and discharged at a specific rate, which is called c-rating. Use our battery C-rate calculator to find out how fast you can charge or discharge your battery.
What Size Solar Panel To Charge 24v Battery?
Here's a chart on what size solar panel you need to charge different capacity 24v lead-acid and Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries in 5 peak sun hours using an MPPT charge controller.
| 24v Battery Size (Ah) | Battery Type | Required Solar Panel Size |
|---|---|---|
| 50Ah | Lead-acid | 170 watts |
| 100Ah | Lead-acid | 330 watts |
| 120Ah | Lead-acid | 400 watts |
| 150Ah | Lead-acid | 500 watts |
| 200Ah | Lead-acid | 660 watts |
| 220Ah | Lead-acid | 730 watts |
| 250Ah | Lead-acid | 830 watts |
| 300Ah | Lead-acid | 990 watts |
| 400Ah | Lead-acid | 1320 watts |
| 50Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 290 watts |
| 100Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 580 watts |
| 120Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 670 watts |
| 150Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 870 watts |
| 200Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1160 watts |
| 220Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1280 watts |
| 250Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1450 watts |
| 300Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1750 watts |
| 400Ah | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 2330 watts |
Summary
- You need around 500-700 watts of solar panels to charge most of the 24V lead-acid batteries from 50% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
- You need around 1-1.2 kilowatt (kW) of solar panels to charge most of the 24V lithium (LiFePO4) batteries from 100% depth of discharge in 5 peak sun hours.
How Many Solar Panels Does It Take To Charge A 24v 200Ah Battery?
Here's a chart about what size solar panel you need to charge a 24v 200ah lead-acid and lithium battery using an MPPT charge controller with different peak sun hours.
| Charge Time | Battery Type | Required Solar Panel Size |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 830 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 660 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 550 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 330 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1450 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 1160 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 970 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 580 watts |
Summary
- You need around 830 watts of solar panels to charge a 24V 200ah lead-acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 4 peak sun hours.
- You need around 1450 watts of solar panels to charge a 24V 200ah Lithium (LiFePO4) battery from 100% depth of discharge in 4 peak sun hours.
Full article: What Size Solar Panel To Charge 200Ah Battery?
What Size Solar Panel To Charge 24v 100Ah Battery?
Here's a chart about what size solar panel you need to charge a 24v 100ah lead-acid and lithium battery using an MPPT charge controller with different peak sun hours.
| Charge Time | Battery Type | Required Solar Panel |
|---|---|---|
| 4 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 420 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 330 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 280 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 170 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | Lead-acid | 80 watts |
| 4 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 730 watts |
| 5 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 580 watts |
| 6 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 490 watts |
| 10 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 290 watts |
| 20 peak sun hours | Lithium (LiFePO4) | 150 watts |
Summary
- You need around 280 watts of solar panels to charge a 24V 100ah lead-acid battery from 50% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours.
- You need around 490 watts of solar panels to charge a 24V 100ah Lithium (LiFePO4) battery from 100% depth of discharge in 6 peak sun hours.
Related Post: How Many Watts Can A Charge Controller Handle?
Can A 12-Volt Solar Panel Charge A 24-Volt Battery?
In short, Yes, a 12v solar panel can charge a 24v battery. To get the maximum from a 12v solar panel to charge your 24v battery use an MPPT charge controller or connect two 12v solar panels in series to charge a 24v battery using a PWM charge controller.
