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Separate daily energy from peak power

Daily watt-hours determine energy storage and generation. Simultaneous running watts and startup surge determine the inverter and battery discharge requirements.

Build a daily load list

Record each device, its real operating pattern, and whether it runs through an inverter. Use a range when duty cycle is uncertain instead of pretending the number is exact.

Identify simultaneous loads

A kettle, microwave, induction cooker, pump, or compressor may create a peak that is much higher than average daily use. Do not add every appliance if they cannot operate together.

Plan for change

Leave a visible allowance for a future device or a changed travel pattern. A planning result should say which assumption moves the answer the most.

Continue planning

Turn this decision into a power plan.

Carry the planning question into the system sizer, then verify the component specifications it makes relevant.

Build a power plan

Storage

Understand usable battery kWh before Ah

AC loads

Plan an inverter around the loads that overlap

Editorial record

Maintained by Make Your Own Tools to turn “Size off-grid power” into a defined daily wh, battery reserve, panels, and inverter. The references below provide the technical context for this planning path. Its calculation rules and planning assumptions are documented in the methodology, and affected calculations pass regression checks before the review date advances.

Last reviewed
Evidence set
1 primary reference
Calculation coverage
3 affected rules checked
Read methodology →View change history ↗
Planning scope
Early off-grid power planning before component comparison.
Next check
Carry the resulting load and power specification into the selected equipment documentation, site checks, and installation requirements.
U.S. Department of Energy homeowner solar guidePlanning sequence, site constraints, energy use, and solar decision context.Open source ↗